Charlie Bruce joins the cast of Dirty Dancing on 26 July

Charlie Bruce will join the cast of Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage, at the Aldwych Theatre, from 26 Jul 2010 .

19-year-old Charlie Bruce, who this year won the BBC TV reality show "So You Think You Can Dance", will understudy the leading role of 'Frances "Baby" Houseman' (played by Hannah Vassallo), at other times she will play in the ensemble.

Charlie Bruce comments, 'I am so excited to be joining the cast of Dirty Dancing and I really cant wait to be involved in such a fabulous show!'

Jacobsen Entertainment, the producers of Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage added: 'We are so pleased to be able to announce this exciting news, and look forward to Charlie joining this exciting new company of such great talent that will take the Production into its triumphant fifth year in London.'

As previously mentioned, Johnny Wright (Johnny Castle), and Ray Quinn (Billy Kostecki), also join the cast on 26 July 2010.

Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage opened at the Aldwych Theatre 24 Oct 2006, following previews from 29 Sep, to positive notices from the popular press: THE EVENING STANDARD says, " The light-hearted, frivolous young will have a ball with Dirty Dancing." THE FINANCIAL TIMES says, "Act One is a gorgeous feast of dance."THE INDEPENDENT says, "This is a very enjoyable evening." THE GUARDIAN says, "A straightforward frame-by-frame recreation of the movie experience." THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "No one is likely to have the time of their lives here. But a decent, undemanding night out for couples, easily impressed teens and hen parties? You bet." THE TIMES says, "A show which adds so little to the original...Yet I found myself warming to Bergstein's modern fairy story."

All the hits from the 80s film, which starred Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, which includes Do You Love Me?, She's Like The Wind and Time Of My Life, are featured in the stage show along with some new numbers. The story has been re-written for the stage by Eleanor Bergenstein, but includes all of the movies memorable moments and some added scenes as well.

It is directed by James Powell, choreographed by Kate Champion, designed by Stephen Brimson-Lewis, lighting by Tim Mitchell, costumes by Jennifer Irwin, sound by Bobby Aitken, and musical supervisor is Conrad Helfrich.

The Houseman's take their vacation at a popular holiday camp, where youngest daughter 'Baby' meets dance teacher from the wrong side of the tracks, Johnny. There begins a classic love story through which we see that love can conquer all barriers and we learn that 'nobody puts Baby in the corner'!

Originally published on

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