Casting announced for Dirty Dancing‘s West End return

Principal casting has been announced for the forthcoming West End return of Dirty Dancing, which opens on 13 July 2013 at the Piccadilly Theatre.

American actress Jill Winternitz, from the show’s current touring cast, will continue in the leading role of ‘Baby’ Houseman, the innocent teenager who goes on a voyage of discovery during her summer at Kellerman’s.

Manchester born Paul-Michael Jones, who has been with the tour cast since 2011, will also reprise his role as dance instructor Johnny Castle.

Charlotte Gooch will return to the role of dancer Penny Johnson, having played the part in the 2011-2012 Dirty Dancing tour, and understudying the role in the original London show.

Dirty Dancing opened at the Aldwych Theatre in 2006 with a record-breaking advance of £15 million – making it the fastest ever selling show in West End theatre history. The production, adapted from the 1987 film, became the longest running show in the history of the Aldwych Theatre and played to over two million people during its five-year run.

The show has also been seen in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and South Africa. A new UK tour will launch in March 2014 following the limited West End run.

Currently at the Piccadilly, Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! closes on 29 June 2013.