Dirty Dancing: The Musical is heading for Broadway in February 2027, with touring leads Annalese Starzec and Blake Zelesnikar set to make their New York debuts as Frances “Baby” Houseman and Johnny Castle.
The production is currently travelling across North America, giving audiences an early look at the Broadway-bound show. It has five further stops scheduled before its New York premiere.
Starzec and Zelesnikar have led the tour since August, taking on roles made famous on screen by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze.
The stars bringing Baby and Johnny to life
For Starzec, the production marks her national touring debut. She previously highlighted a local production of West Side Story in Georgia as one of her favourite credits, according to her Playbill biography.
The University of Alabama alumna said she had often been compared with Grey while growing up, prompting her to audition when the open call for Dirty Dancing was announced. She auditioned in January and began rehearsals in June.
“The callback process was long and pretty intense, but it was such a great experience,” Starzec told Tysons Today. “The creative and casting team was so kind throughout the whole time.”
She said Baby’s determination was central to her interpretation of the character. “I love Baby’s tenacity. She really stands up for the people that she loves and what she believes is right,” she said.
Zelesnikar brings extensive touring experience to the role of Johnny, having appeared in productions including Mean Girls, The Phantom of the Opera, An American in Paris and Flashdance. His New York credits include Gotta Dance! and a 50th anniversary presentation of A Chorus Line.
His connection to A Chorus Line is also personal. Zelesnikar’s wife, Jessica Lee Goldyn, made her Broadway debut in the musical in 2006 as Val before later taking on the role of Cassie.
Zelesnikar said he had been dancing since childhood and had practised the famous lift from “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” for years.
“I’ve probably been doing the ‘Time of My Life’ lift since fourth or fifth grade. My teachers would basically say, ‘You’re lifting people over your head—go!’ So I feel like I’ve been preparing for this role for a long time,” he told BroadwayWorld.
“Playing Johnny is another dream come true,” he added, recalling his admiration for Swayze and describing the opportunity as “magical”.
The tour is currently at Florida’s Kravis Center, where performances continue through November 1. Further stops are planned in Charlotte and Greenville, as well as Boston and Toronto, before the production reaches Broadway in February.
