Kirby Burgess Dirty Dancing Interview

Kirby Burgess Dirty Dancing Interview

Leading Australian theatre producer John Frost has announced cast members for the new Australian production of Dirty Dancing, which will play at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from 28 November this year, followed by Melbourne's Princess Theatre from 4 March 2015 and the Lyric Theatre, QPAC from 27 May.

Two extraordinary young talents will make the leap from chorus to leading roles as the two iconic characters in this much loved musical production. The role of charismatic dance teacher Johnny Castle will be played by Kurt Phelan while the role of innocent young 'Baby" Houseman will be played by Kirby Burgess. A NIDA graduate, Phelan is an actor, choreographer and writer. His musical theatre credits include Singin' in the Rain, Witches of Eastwick, Saturday Night Fever and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Burgess has been seen on stage in Sweet Charity, An Officer and A Gentleman, Hairspray, High School Musical – Live on Stage and currently in LOVEBiTES, and on television in Wonderland.

Already announced is young classical music singer Mark Vincent in his musical theatre debut as Billy Kostecki, Johnny's cousin. Baby's father Jake will be played by Adam Murphy, and her older sister Lisa will be Teagan Wouters. Hotel owner Max Kellerman will be Mike Bishop and Neil Kellerman will be Gabriel Brown making his professional debut. In the role of Mr Schumacher is Barry Mitchell and Tito Suarez will be portrayed by Eric Rasmussen. The ensemble will include Erinn Arnel, Kyla Bartholomeusz, Charles Bartley, Aaron James Campbell, Amy Campbell, Anna Freeland, Kim Hudman, Elysha Manik, Sam Marks, James Maxfield, Chris Ostrenski, Hannah Stanton and Mitchell Woodcock.

'We have assembled an exceptional cast for this 10th Anniversary production of Dirty Dancing," said John Frost. 'The local and overseas creative teams were very impressed with the talent during the audition process, and our Australian cast is second to none. I'm thrilled to give Kirby and Kurt their first lead roles in a musical – they are certainly musical theatre stars of the future.

'Dirty Dancing is a wonderful Australian success story. The stage musical gave audiences the chance to hear the songs from the hit film performed live and to experience the breathtaking dance routines. People flocked to it, breaking records all around the world. Now, ten years after the World Premiere in Sydney, it returns home to where the magic began with a sensational new cast, and audiences can again have the Time Of Their Lives."

Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner said the return of the much-loved stage favourite Dirty Dancing, reinforces Sydney's position as Australia's live performance capital. 'I congratulate John Frost and his team on assembling such a vibrant young cast who will breathe new life into this much-loved production, which is expected to attract visitors from across Australia," Mr Stoner said.

'The NSW Government is proud to support this production through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the Sydney Lyric Theatre in November," he said.

It's the summer of 1963, and 17 year old Frances 'Baby" Houseman is about to learn some major lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing. On holiday in New York's Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents, Baby shows little interest in the resort activities, and instead discovers her own entertainment when she stumbles upon the staff quarters when an all-night dance party is in full swing. Mesmerised by the raunchy dance moves and the pounding rhythms, Baby can't wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle the resort dance instructor. Baby's life is about to change forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny's leading lady both on-stage and off with breathtaking consequences.

Featuring hit songs including Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and the iconic (I've Had) The Time Of My Life, Dirty Dancing has become one of the most popular musical productions of all time. The new production will play at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from 28 November this year, then Melbourne's Princess Theatre from 4 March and the Lyric Theatre, QPAC from 27 May.

dirtydancingaustralia.com

Sydney
Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star
From 28 November, 2014
Performance Times: Wed-Sat 8pm, matinees Wed at 1pm and Sat at 2pm, Sunday 1pm and 6pm
Tickets from $59.90*
ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 795 267

Melbourne

Princess Theatre
From 4 March, 2015
Wed-Sat 8pm, matinees Wed at 1pm and Sat at 2pm, Sunday 1pm and 6pm
Tickets from $59.90*
ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 111 011

Brisbane
Lyric Theatre, QPAC
From 27 May, 2015
Wed-Sat 8pm, matinees Wed at 1pm and Sat at 2pm, Sunday 1pm and 6pm
Tickets from $59.90*
qpac.com.au or phone 136 246

Interview with Kirby Burgess

Question: How does it feel to take on the iconic role of 'Baby" Houseman?

Kirby Burgess: I have been obsessed with this film my whole life so it is bizarre to be bringing her to life. I am also usually cast as the 'bad girl' so to play such an innocent role is a new experience, but 'Baby' is so much fun. It's nice to relive what it was like to dance for the first time, to move your body with a man for the first time....to fall in love for the first time.


Question: Is Dirty Dancing a film you watched, growing up?

Kirby Burgess: YES. I already know most of the lines because I have seen it THAT many times!

Question: Can you talk us through the training and preparation for the show?

Kirby Burgess: Lots of back stretching in preparation for that iconic lift! There has to be a lot of trust and respect between the two leading roles on and off stage, so Kurt (Johnny) and I are trying to get to know each other as much as possible.


Question: What should audiences expect from this production of Dirty Dancing?

Kirby Burgess: A LOT of sexy dancing! I like to sit in and watch the dance calls for the company and WOW these guys are amazing. It will definitely take you back to that opening scene of the film where you experience for the first time that seductive back bend, a mass of bodies intertwined. You will also get to relive the classic love story between 'Baby' and 'Johnny'- the watermelon, "Nobody puts baby in a corner" and THE LIFT- but this time it will be so close you can almost touch it!


Question: What's it like working with Kurt Phelan?

Kirby Burgess: Great! This is both our first leading roles in a Major Musical so it is really special to share that with him. I had never met Kurt before the auditions, I had only heard of him and his talents. It's nice to put a face to the name and for the rumours of his talent to be true!


Question: We saw you on stage with Grease The Musical – how difficult is it to step into the role of a completely different character, in Dirty Dancing?

Kirby Burgess: 'Rizzo' is the quintessential bad girl with heart and 'Baby' is the ultimate good girl who is enchanted by the wrong side of the tracks. You couldn't get more opposite characters! Their journey, the way they speak, even the way they move is completely different. But that's the exciting part about being an actor, being able to step in and out of these completely different lives.

Question: What's the best part about traveling around Australia to perform?

Kirby Burgess: Getting to really spend time experiencing your own country.


Question: What do you find challenging about the travel?

Kirby Burgess: Being away from my partner. We try not to spend more than two weeks apart, but two weeks is even too long for me. Also missing out on events with family and friends- birthdays, weddings, christenings. It can be very hard.


Question: How do you stay fit and healthy with your busy performing schedule?

Kirby Burgess: If you're lucky the show does most of it for you and with Dirty Dancing that is definitely the case. With 'Baby' if I am not on stage I am doing a quick change in the wings. It's a very demanding role. I generally eat healthy and find that those energy cheats (energy drinks, lollies etc) actually hinder me more than help. Water is the most important part of getting through a show.


Question: Do you have any rituals before you walk onto stage, at the beginning of each performance?

Kirby Burgess: It changes with each show for me. I wouldn't say they are rituals. ..maybe superstitions. If I put my costume on a certain way or do a particular warm up just before I walk on stage I have to do the same every show...don't ask me why.


Question: Can you talk us through the audition process for Dirty Dancing?

Kirby Burgess: I was in Perth performing the role of Rizzo with Grease the Musical so I had to fly to Melbourne for my first audition. In the space of a few hours I performed all my scenes, did a movement call with one other girl, had a lift workshop then flew back to Perth. It was tiring. Two weeks later I was flown to Sydney for the final call backs where I did much the same. I actually was partnered with Kurt in the Dance call- and now here we are.


Question: When did you first know performing was a passion you had to peruse?

Kirby Burgess: I played my first role as a mouse in Cinderella at the age of three and I have never looked back. That may seem like 'dramatic license' but it is the absolute truth!


Question: What advice do you have for females hoping to get into this industry?

Kirby Burgess: The knock backs are there for a reason. To test how much you really want to be in this industry! It is hard and it should be hard because it makes you want it even more. There is a brilliant saying that has been said by many but I first heard it when Todd McKenney said it to me - "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken". I live by that motto and it is an excellent reminder to judge your success by your own journey, not someone elses.


Interview by Brooke Hunter