The single-ticket figure, in Canadian dollars, totaled $1,867,880, according to producers Ed and David Mirvish, who are bringing the London hit to their Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto Oct. 31.
This figure does not include subscription or group sales, according to a statement. The news is enough to make American producers drool. A Broadway production in the future would seem to be a fait accompli.
"This is by far the biggest sales day we've had," stated Canadian producer David Mirvish, who, with his father Ed Mirvish, is producing the show by arrangement with Jacobsen Entertainment, and in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions.
Drawn from the film of the same name and using soundtrack tunes and period numbers, the show has been a box-office sensation in London, Germany and Australia.
Written by Eleanor Bergstein, script writer and co-producer of the film, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage "is a coming of age love story involving the talented and headstrong dancer Johnny Castle and Frances 'Baby' Houseman," according to the producers. "During her family's summer holiday at the popular Kellerman's resort, Baby, a doctor's daughter with dreams of joining the Peace Corps, meets Johnny, the guy from the wrong side of the tracks. Against all odds, they fall in love, learning life-changing lessons along the way." The stage show has "more than 20 brand new scenes written especially for the stage."
Expect "more Baby and Johnny, more sensational dancing and even more classic songs."
The score includes "Do You Love Me?," "Hungry Eyes" and the Academy Award-winning (and distinctly non-period-sounding) "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life."
The same creative team as the London production, headed by director James Powell and choreographer Kate Champion, will stage the Toronto production. A Canada-wide casting search for the Toronto production of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is currently underway.
For more information, visit www.dirtydancingonstage.com.
For single tickets, call TicketKing at (416) 872-1212 or (800) 461-3333 or visit www.mirvish.com.