Cult Classic Film Comes To The Musical Stage
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Baby, Johnny and the summer of 1963 are back but this time the story of Dirty Dancing is playing out on stage in Chicago.
"It's the same iconic scenes, the same story, the same music but it's live, so it's more intimate, you're more with the show," says Jenny Winton who plays Penny, Johnny Castle's sexy dance partner. "It's an honor and a challenge because she is such a complex character, she has a whole of different layers. I had the chance to meet Cynthia Rhodes, who played Penny in the movie, who was at opening night. It was a great honor to meet her and talk to her about the role."
Winton is an alumna of Chicago's Joffrey Ballet and danced with the company for five years.
"I'll always be a ballerina but I love acting and bringing dance to the musical stage," she says.
Winton says for fans who loved the film, the stage version pays homage to the 1987 cult classic, starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze.
"If you grew up watching the movie, this is going to be so familiar to you. The dancing does drive the story. It's Dirty Dancing so it's really about the celebration of music and movement together and how we use that to express our truest feelings, and it really brings people together and that's what this show is all about."
The touring show began in Washington, D.C in September. Its next stop is in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dirty Dancing plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre until August 30.