The 1987 film “Dirty Dancing” continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its iconic scenes and the unforgettable romance between Johnny Castle and Baby Houseman, and now fans can experience it like never before with “Dirty Dancing in Concert.” The live show pairs a digitally remastered film with a full band and singers performing the soundtrack live.
The world tour, presented by Lionsgate and GEA Live, is set to arrive at Mesa Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Over the last four years, the concert experience has traveled to more than 100 cities across North America and Europe.
The film’s soundtrack, which spawned two multi-platinum albums, includes the Academy Award-winning song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” “Dirty Dancing” has also inspired a TV series, a prequel, a stage production, a made-for-TV musical adaptation, and reality competition shows.
A Vocally Demanding Show with a Family Feel
The live concert features three vocalists – one female and two male – including returning performer Gary Paul Bowman. During the show, the band and singers perform the film’s hit songs in sync with the action on screen.
Audiences can participate in an after-party, singing and dancing along to the movie’s songs. “It’s easily the most fun part of the show because that’s where everyone’s really allowed to let loose,” Bowman explained. “A lot of people like to be polite while people are watching a movie. You can see them holding back. They really want to sing along and get up in the aisles and dance. We finally give you permission to at the very end.”
The after-party also offers a chance to hear songs from the film in their entirety, as many were cut short or omitted during the movie itself.
Bowman, a New Jersey native, joined the tour last year, bringing with him experience from the first national Broadway tour of “The Cher Show” and the first U.S. national tour of “Madagascar the Musical.” He has also performed in regional productions of “Kinky Boots,” “Rock of Ages,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Aspects of Love,” and “Rent,” and has a background in musical theater, film, and commercial acting.
The concert is a vocal challenge, Bowman said. “You can really just focus on the music. You don’t have to worry about being in character. You can just really focus on producing a good sound… Normally when you’re musical, you’ll have maybe four to six songs, and you have a couple scenes in between. But with a show like this, you’ve got a four-minute break, and you do the next song.”
Learning the extensive material was initially a challenge. “It’s a lot of material, and it’s music that I didn’t inherently know off the bat… If for some reason somebody gets sick, and they just aren’t feeling up for the show, we have to do all the songs. You have to know not only what you’re responsible for that night but what everybody’s responsible for.”
During one performance last year, when the lead female singer fell ill, the two male vocalists stepped in to cover her parts.
Bowman has grown to appreciate songs from the film, particularly “Overload” by Zappacosta and “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen.
The musicians and singers travel together on a 12-person bus. “It’s a very unique experience. Once you get used to it, it’s really a blast. They really are like family at this point. When you live with people for that long, you’re forced to either really get along or not get along. Luckily, we’ve really gotten along.”
The band consists of a guitar player, drummer, bass player, saxophonist, and keyboard player.
Interestingly, Bowman hadn’t seen “Dirty Dancing” before joining the tour, but his mother was a devoted fan. “She had always mentioned that it’s one of the few movies she’s seen more than once in theaters. I was always like, ‘Oh, that’s cool,’ but I never really thought to watch it myself. Funny enough, when I got the job, I was like, ‘Hey mom, you know that movie that you love? I’m doing a show about it.’ She was like, ‘Oh my gosh, are you serious?’ She and I got to watch it together. That was a fun connection and memory for us. Of course, now I’ve watched it over 75 times.”
During the show, the musicians communicate through talk-back microphones, allowing them to coordinate while remaining unheard by the audience. “There’s this really silly moment where randomly this woman is like, ‘I forgot my purse inside.’ Then, her husband randomly goes, ‘Oh.’ It’s such a forgettable, weird moment in the movie. All the musicians at the same time in my ear scream, ‘Oh.’ That’s the moment that we all remember.”
The vocalists strive to remain faithful to the original recordings. “It’s mostly the same. Sometimes on a couple of drum solos, we let our musicians have fun with it. But we mostly are just trying to deliver the product that people know.”
The male singers alternate lead and supporting vocal parts. “One guy singer takes the lead, does the big stuff, ‘Hungry Eyes,’ ‘(I’ve had) The Time of My Life.’ Then, there’s a relief singer. He does the Frankie Valli stuff and the quieter ballads. It helps to take some pressure off the lead guy.”
Bowman believes the live music enhances the film experience. “A big moment that always seems to get the crowd involved is right before ‘Hungry Eyes,’ there’s that famous drum intro. You feel the bass and the drum actually hit right as they’re doing this amazing dance practice together.”
The singers wear costumes inspired by the film. “The first thing that audiences will see is the female lead singer in Baby’s famous dress. The lead male singer is in Johnny’s leather jacket and tank top. Throughout the show, we change into different iconic looks.”
Audience members often dress up in “Dirty Dancing”-themed attire. Bowman noted that many longtime fans bring their children or grandchildren to the show. “It is really cool to see the people that grew up and loved it, but now the next generation can enjoy it too. You see a lot of moms and daughters, a lot of families. The younger people, they’re enjoying it, whether it’s their first time watching it, or they’ve seen it seven times. We’re bringing this movie to people that probably wouldn’t have watched it otherwise.”
(Left to right) Gary Paul Bowman, Rosie Staudt and Max Pinson in “Dirty Dancing Live in Concert.”
Rick Mason/Submitted
