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Dirty Dancing Q & A with Toronto's Baby
ELLE Canada chats with Monica West starring as Baby in the theatre production of Dirty Dancing.
By Dayna Boyer
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The year was 1987. And everybody but everybody was falling in love...with Dirty Dancing. Affectionately known as "the Star Wars for females" points out the BBC in the article Time of your life?, Dirty Dancing is the ultimate chick flick dancing movie, that went on to inspire not only dance crazes but fashion trends of the 80s and 90s.
"One thing I remember about seeing the movie for the first time was that it was really sexy," says dancer and dance teacher, Sophie Luxton. "We don't come from a culture of couples dancing together like that. It's that romance and nostalgia that people are interested in."
The movie has since become a classic and resonates with both old and new audiences, sparking a pop culture phenomenon that turned into a sequel (never a good idea) and an anticipated Canadian theatrical production. ELLE Canada got a chance to chat with the female lead of the show, Monica West cast as Frances "Baby" Houseman. Here's what she had to say about this iconic movie, theatre production and its impact on her life.
1. Describe your first time watching Dirty Dancing.
I should tell you that when Dirty Dancing was in the theatre, I was not allowed to see it! My friends and I would make up dances to the sound track, but I didn't actually see Dirty Dancing until years later. And even then, I don't think I told my parents that I had seen it.
2. What kind of an impact did Dirty Dancing have on you as a dancer?
The scene when Baby enters the staff quarters and sees the Dirty Dancers for the first time made a huge impression on me. As I watched the opening credits, I remember thinking I want to be like that girl with the long dark hair. Her partner was rolling her back and whipping her up to look in her eyes -- they were dancing with abandon. Dancing with that heat and the connection between them really appealed to me.
3. What pulled you towards this role?
The relationship between Baby and her father is close to my heart. Dr. Houseman is Baby's hero -- Baby deeply loves and respects her father. In turn, Dr. Houseman is proud of his daughter's character and Baby's achievements in her young life -- in the summer of 1963, their relationship is turned on its head. I too, have always respected and loved my dad. I spent a lot of my life trying to emulate him exactly, and one day I realized -- we are different people. That shift was heart breaking to me, and yet very necessary to my coming of age -- Baby negotiates this difficult transformation right in front of our eyes.
More with Monica on the next page
Image of Monica West courtesy of Mirvish Productions
ELLE Canada has the scoop on Project Runway Canada. Check out our interview with host Iman here!
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