Classic film coming to life on stage at Des Moines Performing Arts Center

The classic quotes — “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” The dance moves. The music — “I had the time of my life.” The watermelons. The 1987 iconic coming-of-age film will be coming to Des Moines Civic Center on Sept. 15.

“Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story on Stage” will bring to life on stage the story of 17-year-old France “Baby” Houseman while on vacation with her family in the Catskills. Set in the summer of 1963, the film follows Baby’s desire to fit in with the resort staff, her struggle to please her family while trying to find her independence, and the budding romance between her and the sensuous dance instructor, Johnny Castle.

Margot White, who portrays Baby’s mom Marjorie Houseman, said she — like many young people -identified with the coming of age story in the film, and believes that is why it has been such a beloved movie and has had so much success on stage.

“Coming of age is such a recognizable story line,” said White, who joined the national tour in June. “When the movie came out, I was a teenager who had just moved from Illinois to New Hampshire, so I was feeling very Baby-esque. I was out of my element and trying to figure out who I was becoming. The movie was terrific. I loved the idea that it was about dancing, because dancing was near and dear to me. And it shared the story of a young girl finding her own story and her own womanhood. Really appreciated that as a young woman, as do most who identify with the story.”

While White could identify with Baby from the beloved ‘80s film, she was unsure about being a part of the stage production that has circled the globe.

“I was in New Orleans with some girl friends when I got the call to audition. I hadn’t auditioned for a musical in 20 years so I thought I’d probably turn it down. I asked them ‘Should I do it?’ and all three simultaneously said ‘YES!’” White said. “It sounded really intimidating at first … Now, I’m just so thankful and excited to have this opportunity.”

Like Baby — her on stage daughter, White did not have long to learn the steps for her new part. The TV and stage actress had just a few weeks to learn her role as Mrs. Houseman and join her new cast mates in Dallas, Texas. The first night she sat in the audience to view the play, White said, she knew she made the right decision.

“That first night was just a gift,” she said. “It was immediate why people love this production. Just to experience alongside the audience their reaction to the dancing and the music. There is such talent on that stage. I had never been in a production before where the audience was so engaged and so responsive. It is wonderful to be a part of that now.”

While the musical has a few show-stopping numbers — “Do You Love Me?” “In the Still of the Night” and “You Don’t Own Me” — White credits the audiences’ response with the stage version delving deeper into the lives of the Houseman family, and Johnny and Baby’s budding relationship, and of course.

“The lovely thing about the production is Eleanor (Bergstein) has taken it a step deeper,” White said of Bergstein, who served as screenwriter for the film and the production’s book. “I’m proud to be a part of a production that is such a pleasure to watch and enhances a beloved story.”

White and the rest of the cast will take the stage 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15-18, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Tickets for the latest installment of the Willis Broadway series are available starting at $35 each at DesMoinesPerforming Arts.org, the Civic Center Ticket office or by calling (800) 745-3000.

“People are coming in knowing the movie; but they leave feeling like they were a part of something they love because of the amazing choreography, the dance scenes, the talent of the cast, and of course, the music,” White said.