Casting announced for Dirty Dancing UK and Ireland tour

Casting has been announced for the UK tour of Dirty Dancing which is set to tour the UK and Ireland from August 2016.

Playing the role of Johnny Castle will be Lewis Griffiths who was most recently seen as Nick Massi on the UK tour of Jersey Boys. Griffiths' other credits include Ghost (tour) and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (West End). Starring alongside him as Baby Houseman will be Katie Hartland who will make her professional musical theatre debut in the role.

They will be joined by Carlie Milner as Penny Johnson, Julian Harries as Jake Houseman, Simone Craddock as Marjorie Houseman, Roger Martin as Max Kellerman, Jo Servi as Tito Suarez, Lizzie Ottley as Lisa Houseman, Michael Kent as Billy Kostecki, Greg Fossard as Neil Kellerman, Tony Stansfield as Mr Schumacher and Daniela Dobega as Elizabeth.

The cast will be completed by Gabby Antrobus, Imogen Brooke, Simon Campbell, Robert Colvin, Katie Eccles, Beth Highsted, Megan Louch, Ashley Rumble, Callum Sterling, Austin Wilks and Karl James Wilson.

The production, which premiered in Milan in July 2015, will be directed by the artistic director of Milan's Teatro Nazionale, Federico Bellone, with choreography by Gillian Bruce.

The classic story of Baby and Johnny features the hit songs "Hungry Eyes", "Hey! Baby", "Do You Love Me?" and "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life".

The UK production will open at the Blackpool Opera House on 11 August 2016. Click here for further tour dates and to buy tickets.