Dirty Dancing The Classic Story on Stage is coming to Ottawa this spring, bringing the beloved film to life at the National Arts Centre.
The production will take over Southam Hall at the NAC (1 Elgin Street) from April 8 to April 13, 2025, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and select matinee shows at 1:30 p.m. It’s a limited run, giving audiences just under a week to catch the show downtown.
The stage adaptation follows the same story many know from the 1987 film. Frances “Baby” Houseman spends the summer at Kellerman’s resort, where she meets dance instructor Johnny Castle and is pulled into a world of music, movement and self-discovery. The live production features the familiar soundtrack, including “Hungry Eyes,” “She’s Like the Wind,” and the Academy Award-winning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”
What sets the stage version apart is the atmosphere. The music is performed live, the choreography feels immediate and electric, and the audience gets to experience those iconic scenes together in real time. Seeing the story unfold on stage adds a new layer to a film that has remained part of pop culture for decades.
For some, it’s a chance to revisit a favourite story. For others, it may be their first introduction to Baby and Johnny’s summer at Kellerman’s. Either way, the production offers a night of familiar songs, energetic dance numbers and a story that continues to resonate.
Tickets are available through the National Arts Centre box office. With only a handful of performances scheduled, the run is expected to draw strong interest from theatre goers across the city.