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Dirty Dancing --- LIVE

Every so often the Munden's have a night out.


The Strand Theater in Shreveport

By Deloris Munden

Last evening, I was one of a sold-out crowd at The Strand Theatre who was fortunate to experience a one-night performance of the movie Dirty Dancing. Live, on stage, with the throbbing hard-to-stay-in-your seat music, the songs many know by heart, the incredible costumes, and great dancing all interwoven with a beautiful and sad story of new, innocent, young love.

In 1987 the movie Dirty Dancing premiered. The title of the movie came easily to Linda Gottlieb, an MGM producer and Eleanor Bergston, a producer. Unfortunately, they lacked a story line and a script. Once those issues were solved, a few other problems lurked on the horizon -- Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze hated each other resulting from their work together on "Red Dawn" The movie was made in the Catskills theoretically in the summer of 1963. But it was made in mid-October and the leaves were changing color which meant they had to be sprayed green. The lake where Jonny Castle (Patrick Swayze) taught Baby Houseman (Jennifer Grey) how to jump into his arms was 40 degrees. The camera crew couldn`t film closeups because the actor`s lips were blue.

The story line for the movie could be girl discovers boy at summer camp. But there are many subplots that address morality, social bias and Baby shares with us her conflicts as she tries to maintain full disclosure and come to peace with cultural and social issues.

Dirty Dancing made a worldwide gross of just under $214 million dollars. It also won an Oscar and multiple Grammies with the soundtrack beating out Michael Jackson and Bruce Greensteen on the charts. Who can forget "The Time of My Life," "Hey Baby," or "Do You Love Me?"

A few notes -- There is little difference in the price of good seats or not-so-good seats BUT the not-so-good seats are very small, the stairs are small and there are no handrails. The show played one night only and was sold out quickly. The season has two more performances; The All Hands on Deck Show, Saturday, April 7 at 8 pm and Wizard of Oz, Sunday, April 22, at 7 pm.

The Strand is a lovely elderly lady built in 1925 to function as a Vaudeville Venue. The owners said it was the "greatest theatre in the south" or called it the "Million Dollar Theatre." The volunteer staff is extremely helpful and gracious.

And for those of us who remember the final dance scene -- yes, she jumps into midair, and yes, he catches her. At that point the audience seemed catapulted from their seats screaming and clapping. It was just the best moment ever. Who needs a silly old handrail.


Dirty Dancing Billboard


The Inside of the Strand




Dirty Dancing at the Str

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copyrite: MUNDEN expressions - 2018

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