(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Dirty Dancing in Concert on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Get ready to have the time of your life and immerse yourself in the romance of this beloved classic with an unforgettable evening!
Based on the iconic Academy Award®-winning film, which was released 38 years ago, Dirty Dancing in Concert is bringing its magic back to North America in 2026 for a world tour spanning more than 100 cities, including New Brunswick!
Guests attending Dirty Dancing in Concert will have an unparalleled experience as they revisit the enduring love story of Baby and Johnny. Shows will feature a screening of the digitally remastered movie while a live band and vocalists perform the hit songs in sync with a full-size screen on stage. The show continues with an incredible after-party, where the audience is encouraged to sing and dance to their favorite songs from the feature film and relive their best movie memories.
"Dirty Dancing has always been more than just a movie—it's a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate across generations," says Floris Douwes, Producer and Managing Director at GEA Live. "We're ecstatic to have the opportunity to bring this live-to-film celebration back to audiences around the world, combining the magic of the original film with the energy of a live concert. Whether you're seeing it for the first time or the fiftieth, this experience invites fans to fall in love with Baby and Johnny all over again—and dance the night away."
Tickets start at $46 and are available for purchase online or by calling State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469). State Theatre Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open by phone and email only, Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. For in-person purchases, Guest Services is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. Additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.
A timeless classic, Lionsgate's Dirty Dancing is the story of summertime romance with a beloved soundtrack and memorable dancing scenes. Released in 1987, the film became an international box office phenomenon. It was directed by Emile Ardolino, written by Eleanor Bergstein, produced by Linda Gottlieb, and starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, alongside Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, and Kelly Bishop.
The soundtrack generated two multi-platinum albums and numerous singles, including the Academy Award®-winning Best Original Song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." With a global box office total of over $214 million, Dirty Dancing won over audiences around the world. The film also spawned a television series, multiple competition reality shows, a prequel film, a stage production with sold-out performances around the world, a made-for-television musical adaptation, and a Lionsgate sequel film in development.
State Theatre New Jersey, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, celebrated its 100th Anniversary after major renovations in December 2021. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre's historic significance was honored when PBS featured it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey. Having played a significant role in revitalizing New Brunswick—crowned "Jersey's Best Destination of the Year" for 2025 by Jersey's Best magazine—State Theatre resides in the heart of the city's arts district.
Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six and a half million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have included high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Peter Frampton, and Leanne Morgan. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.
State Theatre New Jersey's programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.
