Dirty Dancing's East Coast Bow Will Be in Boston; Connick, Chorus Line, Awakening Also Slated

The dance-heavy musical that fleshes out the popular movie of the same name (using added pop songs) is a hit in London and Europe and is aiming to conquer North America: Toronto and Chicago, and then on tour. A New York berth is inevitable, but nothing has been officially announced.

The Boston engagement will play Feb. 7-March 15, 2009.

The film was penned and co-produced by Eleanor Bergstein, who adapted and expanded the tale for the stage. Baby boomers who loved the picture (and its Academy Award-winning song, "I've Had the Time of My Life") when they were in high school are now taking their kids to the stage show — and singing along to the famous score. It's regarded as a Mamma Mia!-style sensation.

In May 2009 the U.S. national tour will play Los Angeles. Its American bow will start in Chicago Sept. 28.

The Boston engagement was announced as part of the 2008-09 Broadway Across America-Boston season. The season was announced May 5 at the Colonial Theatre in Boston. The Boston season will include six musical productions and two plays — including world premieres of the "new" Gershwin musical, Nice Work If You Can Get It (written by Joe DiPietro, starring Harry Connick Jr., directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall) and the re-imagined revival of Brigadoon (directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford, with a new book by John Guare).

Here's the season at a glance:

A Chorus Line (Sept. 11-Oct. 5), the new tour of the Broadway revival, at The Opera House.

Brigadoon (Oct. 14-Nov. 9), the world premiere of the revised (by John Guare) revival of the Lerner and Loewe classic at The Colonial Theatre.

Legally Blonde the Musical (Oct. 28-Nov. 9), the national tour of the Broadway show, at The Opera House.

Nice Work If You Can Get It (Dec. 16, 2008-Jan. 11, 2009), a new Gershwin musical inspired by Oh, Kay!, at The Colonial Theatre.

Frost/Nixon (Jan. 27-Feb. 8, 2009), the play by Peter Morgan, directed by Michael Grandage, starring Stacy Keach as Richard M. Nixon, pursued by interviewer David Frost (casting to be announced), at The Colonial Theatre.

A Bronx Tale (March 31-April 11, 2009), the tour of Chazz Palminteri's solo Broadway play about his childhood, at The Colonial Theatre.

Spring Awakening (April 28–May 24, 2009), the Tony Award-winning musical by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, at The Colonial Theatre. To order season tickets call (866) 523-7469 or visit broadwayacrossamerica.com. Member tickets and single ticket on-sales for all shows to be announced at a later time.

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