Abigail Breslin is about to have the time of her life because American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has just ordered a three-hour TV-Movie remake of the 1987 classic "Dirty Dancing," and she has been signed on to be Baby, the lead character originally played by Jennifer Grey.
Unlike previous "Dirty Dancing" productions, however, the ABC production remains faithful to the plot of the original film set in 1960 which takes Baby and her wealthy family to a Catskill Mountain resort where she falls in love with a certain dance instructor named Johnny Castle.
Lionsgate TV, in cooperation with Allison Shearmur Productions, are producing the planned reboot. The TV adaptation seems to be in good hands since Eleanor Bergstein, who wrote the 1987 original, is joining Allison Shearmur as executive producer in the television production. Wayne Blair ("The Sapphires") will serve as director while Jessica Sharzer (MTV's "Turn the Beat Around") will write the adaptation.
There is no news yet on who will be taking over Patrick Swayze's role as Johnny Castle but whoever it is will have big shoes to fill. Just watch this unforgettable final dance scene between Swayze and Grey!
A 1988 television series proved unsuccessful when it was dropped after 11 episodes and an attempt at a prequel with "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" did not pique viewers interest. Perhaps the only other "Dirty Dancing" production that can match the success of the original is the stage musical version.
It seems television networks are banking on the popularity of television adaptation of popular musicals. Unlike Fox's "Grease: Live!," however, "Dirty Dancing" will be recorded prior to its premiere.
ABC has not announced a premiere date for the production or any of the other cast members but we can probably expect the announcements to come rolling in soon.
