Chatting with Jenny Winton from ‘Dirty Dancing’ Tour
By Emily Yewell Volin of Dance Informa.
Dirty Dancing is a classic dance movie with a popular reputation among generations of dancers and dance enthusiasts. The love story is now a touring show that has audiences and reviewers raving.
“Seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives,” exclaims the show’s plot summary.
Dance Informa recently spoke with Jenny Winton, who is cast as dance instructor Penny Johnson for the Dirty Dancing U.S. tour. Winton is a professional ballerina turning heads in the musical theatre scene. She trained at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet before performing with Pennsylvania Ballet II and Joffrey Ballet. Here, Winton gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the process of learning the show and what her life is like on tour.
Audiences worldwide are raving about this show. What do you think are some of the reasons people enjoy the story and this production of it so much?
“People can relate to it. A lot of people grew up watching the movie and it’s very nostalgic for them and brings them back to a certain time in their lives. The cast does a really good job of recreating that story. I think it brings them [the audience] onto stage with us. I think that’s why people are so excited and enthralled with it. We can hear it. We can hear in the audience’s applause that they are excited and very with us. I think that’s mainly what draws them in.”
The movie Dirty Dancing has been a staple in the library of many dancers since its release in 1987. What’s different in this stage production of the classic story?
“There’s much more of a sense of performance in the stage production. The live music makes you feel like you are involved with the production instead of just sitting on the couch and watching a story take place on your TV. It follows the movie, but there are sections that are different and show a little bit more of the back story – things that weren’t discovered in the movie. I think the characters are a little more developed in the stage production. You learn a little bit more about their lives.”
