You'll have the time of your life at 'Dirty Dancing'

Stage production of iconic movie stops at Tivoli Theatre for two shows

Baby learns to dance in this scene from "Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story On Stage." From left are Jennifer Mealani Jones (Penny), Bronwyn Reed (Baby) and Christopher Tierney (Johnny).
Baby learns to dance in this scene from "Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story On Stage." From left are Jennifer Mealani Jones (Penny), Bronwyn Reed (Baby) and Christopher Tierney (Johnny).

If you go

› What: “Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story On Stage.”› When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan. 17-18.› Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.› Admission: Limited seats remain — $52 and $67 for Tuesday; $52, $67 and $77 for Wednesday (plus fees).› Phone: 423-757-5580.› Website: www.tivolichattanooga.com.Save the date“Dirty Dancing” is the first production in the 2017 Broadway at the Tivoli Theatre series. Tickets to individual shows are available, as are subscription packages for four or five shows, starting at $210. To purchase, call 423-757-5580 or visit the box office at 709 Broad St. between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.Still to come:› Feb. 15-17: “Chicago”› March 8-9: “Rent” (20th anniversary tour)› April 28-30: Riverdance” (20th anniversary tour)› May 2-3: “Annie”

photo Bronwyn Reed and Chirstopher Tierney play leads Frances "Baby" Houseman and Johnny Castle in the North American tour of "Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story On Stage."

If you're sitting in the audience of "Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage" next week and thinking the actress playing Frances "Baby" Houseman looks familiar, you're probably a fan of "Law & Order: SVU."

Bronwyn Reed, cast as Baby in "Dirty Dancing," also has played the recurring role of Lucy Huston on "Law & Order: SVU" for nine episodes over two seasons. It's an interesting juxtaposition of characters: Baby is the naive, daddy's girl and Lucy is the nanny for Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), a woman with daddy issues.

"Yes," laughs Reed in a phone interview at the contrast. "I love doing 'SVU.' It was my first role out of school. I had just graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. The whole cast and crew at 'SVU' have been together so long they are like a family and run like a tight machine. Mariska was an incredible mentor."

In "Dirty Dancing," Reed plays opposite Christopher Tierney as Johnny Castle in this North American touring production of the classic Patrick Swayze/Jennifer Grey movie. "Dirty Dancing" rolls into town next week for performances at the Tivoli Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Jan. 17-18.

Reed says anyone who is a fan of the movie will enjoy the stage production.

"There's no way to not like this show. Everything you love about the movie - the dancing, the music, the costumes and famous lines - are all in this show," she says.

In fact, she adds, the stage production expands on a couple of characters' stories and includes new songs.

Baby is a demanding role - not just in mastering the choreography and dialogue, but in stamina. Reed is onstage every scene except two for eight shows a week. She is well aware that audiences compare her characterization of Baby with Grey's, "but I don't feel pressure."

"There is no bigger fan of 'Dirty Dancing' or of Jennifer Grey than I am. I knew all the music to 'Dirty Dancing' before it was ever a stage musical. Christopher and I are given license to make it our own. It's so fulfilling to strike that balance of not letting audiences down while doing justice to the iconic role."

Reed auditioned by Skype for the role of Baby and got the lead in her first professional tour. While acknowledging it's rare to play the lead your first time out, she also has worked hard to get to this point in her career.

"I went to a Los Angeles performing arts high school where it's very cutthroat to get in and then even more competitive to get into the musical theater program. I spent my high school and college years steeped in musical theater," she says.

After training with the Joffrey Ballet and American Ballet companies, she earned a degree in drama from Stanford then a master's degree in acting from the London Academy.

Before winning the role of Baby, she was cast in "The Last Face," the Sean Penn-directed film starring Charlize Theron. The movie has not yet been released, but was screened at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.

"I have one scene in the film, but it's with Charlize. She was so incredible to me."

Obviously, nobody has put this Baby in a corner. Each of these roles - TV, "Dirty Dancing" and film - have come to her on her first auditions.

"I feel really lucky to have done each," she says. "Every opportunity you learn so much. In my dream of dreams, I would be able to find a balance to continue to do all three."

According to Tivoli box-office staff, the shows are close to selling out, but limited tickets remain each night. For Tuesday night, $67 and $52 tickets remain; Wednesday there are $77, $67 and $52 seats. All have an additional $3 handling fee.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.

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