ArtistDirect News
Broadway In Chicago Announces Limited Run of Dirty Dancing: The Musical
Broadway In Chicago has announced that tickets for a new stage adaptation of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing are now on sale for a two‑week run at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. The production, titled Dirty Dancing: The Musical, will open on September 9 and close on September 20, 2026.
The show is based on Lionsgate’s film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 1987, and was released in the United States on August 21, 1987. The film, written by Eleanor Bergstein, produced by Linda Gottlieb, and directed by Emile Ardolino, earned more than $214 million worldwide and became a cultural touchstone. Its soundtrack, produced by Jimmy Ienner and featuring songs from the 1960s, achieved multi‑platinum status and included the Academy‑Award‑winning title track “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” In 2024 the film was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress.
According to the announcement, Dirty Dancing: The Musical will follow the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman as she discovers love, passion, and independence while working at a summer resort in 1963. The production will feature live music from the original film and is billed as a “feel‑good escape” that captures the energy of electrified dancing, secret encounters, and forbidden romance.
The James M. Nederlander Theatre, located at 24 West Randolph Street in Chicago’s Loop, opened in 1926 as the Oriental Theatre. The venue seats 2,253 and is operated by Broadway In Chicago, a company formed in 2000 by the Nederlander Organization to present touring Broadway productions. The theatre was renamed in 2019 to honor impresario James M. Nederlander.
Broadway In Chicago’s press release notes that single tickets are now available through its website, www.BroadwayInChicago.com. The limited engagement is intended to give Chicago audiences a chance to experience the musical before it moves to other markets.
The Dirty Dancing franchise has expanded beyond the original film. A 2004 prequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, and a 2017 television musical remake were released, and several reality‑competition shows have been produced. The stage adaptation is part of the franchise’s ongoing presence in live theatre.
The musical’s production team has not yet released details about the director, choreographer, or cast. However, the announcement emphasizes that the show will incorporate live music from the original soundtrack, suggesting that the production will stay true to the film’s musical heritage.
Tickets for the September run are priced on a tiered scale, with the most expensive seats available for the first few performances. The theatre’s box office will close on September 20, after which the production will conclude its Chicago engagement.
The announcement comes at a time when Chicago’s theatre scene is experiencing a resurgence of touring Broadway shows. The Nederlander Theatre has hosted a variety of productions in recent years, and the Dirty Dancing run is positioned to attract both longtime fans of the film and new audiences.
In summary, Dirty Dancing: The Musical will run at the James M. Nederlander Theatre from September 9 to September 20, 2026. Tickets are on sale through Broadway In Chicago’s website, and the production promises a live‑music experience that echoes the original 1987 film’s iconic soundtrack.
The show’s limited engagement offers a concise opportunity for Chicago theatregoers to see a new adaptation of a beloved film, while the theatre’s historic setting provides a fitting backdrop for the story’s 1960s setting.
The show is based on Lionsgate’s film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 1987, and was released in the United States on August 21, 1987. The film, written by Eleanor Bergstein, produced by Linda Gottlieb, and directed by Emile Ardolino, earned more than $214 million worldwide and became a cultural touchstone. Its soundtrack, produced by Jimmy Ienner and featuring songs from the 1960s, achieved multi‑platinum status and included the Academy‑Award‑winning title track “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” In 2024 the film was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress.
According to the announcement, Dirty Dancing: The Musical will follow the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman as she discovers love, passion, and independence while working at a summer resort in 1963. The production will feature live music from the original film and is billed as a “feel‑good escape” that captures the energy of electrified dancing, secret encounters, and forbidden romance.
The James M. Nederlander Theatre, located at 24 West Randolph Street in Chicago’s Loop, opened in 1926 as the Oriental Theatre. The venue seats 2,253 and is operated by Broadway In Chicago, a company formed in 2000 by the Nederlander Organization to present touring Broadway productions. The theatre was renamed in 2019 to honor impresario James M. Nederlander.
Broadway In Chicago’s press release notes that single tickets are now available through its website, www.BroadwayInChicago.com. The limited engagement is intended to give Chicago audiences a chance to experience the musical before it moves to other markets.
The Dirty Dancing franchise has expanded beyond the original film. A 2004 prequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, and a 2017 television musical remake were released, and several reality‑competition shows have been produced. The stage adaptation is part of the franchise’s ongoing presence in live theatre.
The musical’s production team has not yet released details about the director, choreographer, or cast. However, the announcement emphasizes that the show will incorporate live music from the original soundtrack, suggesting that the production will stay true to the film’s musical heritage.
Tickets for the September run are priced on a tiered scale, with the most expensive seats available for the first few performances. The theatre’s box office will close on September 20, after which the production will conclude its Chicago engagement.
The announcement comes at a time when Chicago’s theatre scene is experiencing a resurgence of touring Broadway shows. The Nederlander Theatre has hosted a variety of productions in recent years, and the Dirty Dancing run is positioned to attract both longtime fans of the film and new audiences.
In summary, Dirty Dancing: The Musical will run at the James M. Nederlander Theatre from September 9 to September 20, 2026. Tickets are on sale through Broadway In Chicago’s website, and the production promises a live‑music experience that echoes the original 1987 film’s iconic soundtrack.
The show’s limited engagement offers a concise opportunity for Chicago theatregoers to see a new adaptation of a beloved film, while the theatre’s historic setting provides a fitting backdrop for the story’s 1960s setting.