Dirty Dancing: Michael O'Reilly, the British artist who makes all of Paris dance

« You don't leave Baby in a corner », « I've Had the Time of My Life »... These iconic lines and songs from the film Dirty Dancing continue to delight generations even more than 35 years after its release. From November 22nd to January 26, 2025, the story is being adapted into a musical, in French, on the stage of the Dôme de Paris. Alongside Justine Marec, who brings Baby Houseman to life, is none other than British actor, dancer, and singer, Michael O'Reilly, playing the legendary character of Johnny Castle. This 27-year-old former rugby player embodies the role like no other as he has been performing it in London for six years. From his beginnings as a dancer to learning French in just a few months for this role in France, Michael O'Reilly shares his remarkable journey and his love for the stage.

« I feel so lucky to be able to play this role »

You stopped playing rugby at 18 because you fell in love with a dancer. However, there’s a big difference between falling in love with a dancer and falling in love with dance itself. When did you realize that your career would be dedicated to dance and musical theater? 

I was already acting and I had this somewhat unrealistic dream that after my rugby career, I would become a famous actor. It was that dancer who got me into the dance studio, taught me how to dance, and encouraged me to audition for Matthew Bourne [British choreographer, ed. note]. I went for fun, honestly, I really didn’t think I would get in. But it happened, and I worked with...ec a professional company. That was the moment I truly fell in love with dance. I was surrounded by people who were a bit like my rugby buddies, and it was amazing. I knew that if I really wanted to, I could become a professional rugby player, but I wasn’t sure if I could be a professional dancer. And that challenge was so exciting! 

Was the world of entertainment something you loved as a child, or was it completely new to you? 

Not at all. I thought musicals were the worst things in the world, that theater was for rich people who didn’t understand art. What I loved was movies; they always fascinated me, especially science fiction and fantasy films, those that take you far away from reality.in which we live. I think it's a beautiful thing to be able to do this with storytelling. Growing up, I spent time reading poetry, watching theater performances, and now it's one of my favorite things. I have immense respect for theater and the art of live storytelling. It’s so powerful and moving to go to the theater, buy a ticket, and watch the artists create a story right before our eyes.

What do you think you have in common with the character of Johnny Castle? 

I would say I’m becoming more and more like this character as I get older, to be honest! The story is about a young man who is searching for his place. He’s handsome, he’s a dance teacher, he's trying to become something in a world that is fighting against him. Who are we? Where do we want to be? I think we can all relate to this.

“There’s no more timeless theme than love”

The story of Dirty Dancing is over 35 years old. Aside from the famous ending scene, why do you think this show is still so popular and timeless?

Yes, it’s absolutely crazy! At its core, it’s...o;It wasn't supposed to be a huge movie; it didn’t have a big budget, but everyone had a good feeling about this project and hoped it would be well received. I think a lot of people wonder: why did this film do so well? What’s the secret of Dirty Dancing? Patrick Swayze answered, and I think it’s beautiful and true: “It’s the story of someone who looks deep inside you and sees you as beautiful for who you really are.” And I think that’s what Dirty Dancing is all about! It’s the love story between Johnny and Baby. In fact, it’s the story of love, and there’s no theme more timeless than love. So, I think they managed to combine this beautiful and honest story, with the right music, the right dance, the right script, and it was just one of those wonderfully beautiful coincidences.

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©Laura Gilli

How did you react when you were told you would play Johnny in France and in French? How did you prepare?

I performed at Folies Bergère last year, in English. It was the end of my tour with Dirty Dancing and I honestly thought it would be the last time I’d be performing in this show. It was really well received! I knew it would be played at the Dôme de Paris afterward, and my team and I joked about how funny it would be if I learned French and did the show. A few months later, the producer called me to invite me to lunch and said:« Dirty Dancing in French, what do you think about it ? », I ask him if it’s still a joke and he replies : « I think we should do it. » I wasn’t speaking any French at all, and I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, it would be too hard. And as soon as I had that thought, I said to myself : « I have to do it now. » It was like a bet with myself. Between the end of that lunch and the moment I decided to truly dive in, it took me two days to pack up and move to Aix-en-Provence to learn French. I started in June, spent two months there, then I came to Paris and began working with different coaches every day, for 8 hours, to try to do justice to this role that I love so much. It’s very important to me that everyone who spends time...and the money to see this show, have a great time. I’m very proud to say that we’ve created a magnificent show and the reactions from people online or at the theater truly touch me. The fact that we can do it in another language and that it is received so well, allowing people to enjoy this escape, come laugh, cry, dance, it’s a real honor to be able to do that.

Do you feel that the French audience reacts differently to the show than the British audience?

The reactions are a bit different because the script is slightly altered. It’s based on the French version, so people applaud at different moments, the iconic lines aren’t the same, but the essence and the joy remain... The final scene, it’s an incredible moment, but on stage, you almost forget what this story represents for the people. We do the lift, then come back down, and we look at the first r...and people cry. It means so much to them to see this scene; they are so overwhelmed by emotion. In this sense, the show is the same, whether in France or the UK, and that’s what makes it beautiful. It gives people that special feeling.

How did you manage to create that amazing connection you have on stage with your partner Justine Marec? 

As soon as we knew we were going to work together, we realized the responsibility we had. It's her and me, and one of the things that needs to happen for this show to work is that the audience must believe that Johnny and Baby are falling in love. We have to find that connection and recreate it every night. We spent a lot of time together. Being new in Paris, she showed me around the city, we talked about art, poetry, and the script. Justine hadn’t danced much before, so we were together in the studio, I was teaching her to dance and she was teaching me French.

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©BOBY

Do you have a ritual before going on stage? 

I've never told anyone this (laughs). I have a bracelet that was part of my costume during my first tour of Dirty Dancing, and I asked the costume department at the end of the tour if I could pay them to replace it because I wanted to keep it as a souvenir. I was able to get it, and since then, I've been the only one to have played Johnny in the UK for the last six years. Every time I play this role, I bring the bracelet back. I've worn it for every show. I put it on before going on stage, and I take it off when I return to my dressing room. It's a ritual I have, it's kind of my superstitious thing that I have to do before each show. 

Moving for a role is something quite c...