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Dirty Dancing: The Music is headed to Broadway next year, but audiences across North America will get a sneak peek of the show as the touring production still has five more stops before New York!
We just caught the show at the opening night performance at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida and decided it was time for fans to learn more about the main stars Annalese The Old Man and Blake Zelesnikarwho plays Frances “Baby” Housekeeper and Johnny Castle.
The actors have been leading the touring production since August 2026 and will make their Broadway debut when the show opens in New York in February 2027.
So who are they?
All about it Annalese The Old Manwho plays Baby
Annales making her national debut with this production of Dirty Dancing and she will have a career milestone when she goes to Broadway with the show next year. Her bio in the Playbill notes that she is a local product of her favorite credits The Story of the West in Georgia.
Annalesalum of the University of Alabama, said she was always compared to Jennifer Gray growing up, so she knew she had to audition Dirty Dancing when the open call was announced. She auditioned in January and was in rehearsals by June.
“The callback process was long and very intense, but it was a great experience,” she told Tysons Today. “The creative team and cast were so kind the whole time.”
Of playing the iconic role, she said, “I love Baby’s tenacity. She really stands up for the people she loves and what she believes is right.
All about it Blake Zelesnikarwho plays Johnny Castle
Blake has appeared in several national tours, including Mean girls, The Phantom of the Opera, American Parisand Flash dance. His credits in New York include Must dance! and a 50th anniversary exhibition of Chorus Line.
Chorus Line connecting Blake to his true wife Jessica Lee Goldynwho made her Broadway debut back in 2006 in the musical as Val before transitioning to the role of Cassie.
Blake has been dancing since he was a kid and says he’s been doing the “Time of My Life” lift ever since, so he was ready for the show.
“I’ve probably been doing the ‘Time of My Life’ lift since fourth or fifth grade. My teachers would basically say, ‘You’re lifting people over your head – go away!’ So I feel like I’ve been preparing for this role for a long time,” he told BroadwayWorld. “Honestly, it never left me. It was always there. The lift is going to be amazing. Don’t worry – we’re ready to go.”
On playing Johnny, he said, “Playing Johnny is another dream come true. I grew up watching this movie and I loved it Patrick Swayze. He has always been an inspiration to me. This is a time in my life that I am extremely grateful for. I approach every rehearsal and every performance with dignity, respect and thought. I’m really trying to soak up the experience and appreciate every moment because it’s something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time. All in all, it’s just magical. “
You can catch it Dirty Dancing at Florida’s Kravis Center through November 1. Get tickets now!
Upcoming tour stops include Charlotte, NC, Greenville, SC, Boston, MA, and Toronto, ON.
Tickets for Broadway are on sale now!
Posted to:Annalese Starzec Blake Zelesnikar Broadway Dirty Dancing
