“Offer the Paris public the time of their lives”: Dirty Dancing hits French stages in November 2024!

• Dirty Dancing, an original story on stage – from November 22 to December 29 at the Dôme de Paris (34 Boulevard Victor, 75015 Paris) – Reserve your seats

We don’t leave Baby in the corner… but on the stage of the Dôme de Paris. Adapted from the cult film directed by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, which has crossed generations since 1987. Show dirty dancing Arrives in France with 10 million viewers worldwide.

In the program: about thirty performers on stage, including six live musicians, hundreds of costumes, singing, dancing, love… and Michael O’Reilly, 27, the essential Johnny Castle in London’s West End for five years, who is now reprising the role in French on the challenge. AlloCiné met him.

AlloCiné: “Dirty Dancing” has crossed generations since 1987, how do you explain this longevity and this cult around a film that could be considered a little “Gnangan”?

Michael O’Reilly: My favorite answer to this question is a quote from Patrick Swayze: “Everyone wants someone to look deep inside them and love them for who they really are.”. I think this is very true: we all want that kind of love. This story can be considered funny because the music, actors and some dialogues have become iconic. But the message of the show is eternal, that is true love.

You have been playing Johnny Castle on the London stage for several years, what does this role mean to you? Do you remember your audition and when you got the part? How do you feel when you wear the suit?

dirty dance I am very concerned. It was my first job right out of college. I fell in love with Johnny Castle and Patrick Swayze, his passion and respect for the arts captured me. I know this story means a lot. I feel the weight of this responsibility and I do my best to make each show special.

What elements of the show elicit the most reaction from the audience? The famous “Porte”? The line “We don’t leave the little one in the corner”?

“We don’t leave the little one in the corner” Often cries the most, but every night there is someone who bursts into tears when we lift. I can’t explain it except that we really love this story.

Speaking of the lift, is it the most difficult dance element in your choreography or are there more complex moves? What was the biggest physical and artistic challenge of this adventure?

The final lift is actually not that difficult. If you have a good partner, you have confidence and you have a lot of time to rehearse. It’s just a matter of repetition. The most difficult dance, by far, is the mambo: it’s so fast and technical, it’s a challenge! What I really loved about doing the West End show was finding John’s voice. I didn’t want to imitate Patrick Swayze, so I spent months listening to interviews with him to find his voice and intonation, so I could play the lines with my intention, but with his voice.

What is your greatest memory from your years on the West End stage? Was there a particular performance that left a lasting memory for you? A really crazy or memorable night?

I’ll never forget the first night my family came to see me on stage. Having grown up playing rugby and being captain, they certainly never thought I would play Johnny Castle. dirty dance. It was a beautiful moment and they were so proud, it meant everything to me.

You’re going to be playing in the French version this fall, what challenges does that present?

I am going to perform the program in another language! This is the most difficult challenge of my career: I feel a huge responsibility towards the French language and French, so I am doing everything to bring the best John of my career to this point. It’s so exciting. It is a beautiful city and a huge place, the energy will be electric. I work every day to be mentally and physically ready to put on the best show every night.

Did you know that the French version of the film offers slightly odd lines that were almost improvised by the actors at the time and that have become iconic today, like the child’s famous “wild horse” tirade? Will we find this sophistication in the French version of the musical?

The show will feature all the iconic sequences and lines that audiences have come to know and love. Our goal is to bring the audience into the world of the Kellermans so they can have the “time of their lives” in real life, not just through a television screen.

What do you want to say to the French public two months before the premiere? What can they expect?

I’m so hooked on this show and can’t wait to watch it, it’s going to be amazing. We have such a talented team and have so much love and respect for this show, we’re going to give everything we’ve got to give Paris audiences ‘the time of their lives’ this winter. Personally, I would say that it was a great honor to prepare for this role in French. Learning the language and culture and making lots of new friends, teachers and artists along the way. At this point in November I will bring the best Johnny of my life and I can’t wait.

Do you still enjoy playing John after all these years? Can you still watch the movie?

It was an honor and a privilege to play this role. It’s such a demanding role, both in preparation and performance, it keeps me busy. And seeing the audience’s reaction every night is all an actor can ask for. Bringing joy to so many people is the greatest gift I can think of. I rarely watch the movie, but when I do, it always makes me smile and cry, I have so many memories and emotions attached to this story and I am grateful for each and every one of them.

We missed Patrick Swayze dearly after his death in 2009. What does it mean to you? If you could meet him, what would you say to him?

When he passed away in 2009, I never imagined that he would have such an incredible impact on my life. I would say thank you. Pouring his soul and all his passion into his work. He created so many characters that we fell in love with because he was a great actor. But because he was so involved. I would like to thank him for his inspiration and for moving forward, I hope we carry on his legacy with the same passion and care that he lived.

The cult movie trailer