Ashley LaLonde Talks Making History, ‘Dirty Dancing’ and Returning to Chicago

For Ashley LaLonde, returning to Chicago is a homecoming celebration.

LaLonde, who previously performed in the national tour of Hamilton, is returning to the James M. Nederlander Theatrethis September with the new stage production of Dirty Dancing: The Musical.

In the production, she plays Elizabeth, a brand-new character created specifically for this adaptation.

The role also marks another meaningful chapter, as she made history in 2019 as the first Black woman and one of the first six women cast in Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

In a conversation with The Chicago Defender, LaLonde opened about making history, creating Elizabeth from the ground up, the collaborative process behind Dirty Dancing, her love for Chicago and the faith that continues to guide her career.

Making History at Harvard 

Marshelle Sanders: You made history in 2019 as the first Black woman and one of the first six women to star in the Hasty Pudding Theatricals at Harvard. What did that moment mean to you?

Ashley LaLonde: It was an incredible experience getting to be the first woman and the first-ever Black woman to star in the Hasty Pudding Theatrical Show at Harvard University.

I did my undergraduate degree at Harvard, and this theater group has been around for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, women were never allowed to be cast in the show.

It’s an original musical that Harvard puts on every year, and it gets a ton of press attention. We did a little tour to New York and Bermuda, so it really is a big deal, especially for those of us who want to pursue this professionally or already have.

Getting to do that role is one of those experiences you’ll never forget in your whole life because of the history attached to it. Harvard and musical theaters have such a rich, beautiful history in our country. There have also been blockages and glass ceilings that need to be broken, particularly if you’re a woman or a person of color.

Being part of that with five other incredible women was special. All of them are currently working as professional actors, singers, and dancers. Every single woman who was in that show that first year is truly someone I admire, and I’m still in touch with and friends with.

All of us work in the industry now, which is very special to see. That experience was a launch pad for all of us.

I’ve since met women who have been cast in the last five-plus years since that moment. That’s been special—to meet some of the younger women students and have them say, “Wow, you are the first. Thank you so much.”

I’m really honored to be part of that.

Creating Elizabeth in ‘Dirty Dancing’ 

M.S.: Now you’re creating another role for the first time with Dirty Dancing. What can you tell us about Elizabeth?

A.L.: Elizabeth is a young woman, and it’s her first time away from home. She’s a new staff member at Kellerman’s, so she’s trying to figure herself out. She’s trying to figure out this beautiful, fun, and exciting place called Kellerman’s, and she’s also figuring out her love life, which is a key point in the story.

She’s stuck between two worlds. We’ve all been at some point where you’re new to a place, and you’re trying to figure out, “What is my path here? Who should I spend time with? Who do I resonate with? Who do I admire? Who respects me?”

In the show, she wants to be a singer. That’s not her current job, but it’s her passion. I think back to my younger self, when I wanted to do this and didn’t know if it was possible.

Some people believe in you, while others might inadvertently brush off your dreams. Elizabeth deals with some of that in the show, too.

Thankfully, there is one young man named Billy, a character from the movie. He’s the iconic role who carries the watermelons and breaks the news about Penny to Baby. He and I got to have a little love story in this new version.

It’s fun to play with that feeling of young love, the “will they, won’t they,” and discovering that spark.

Behind the Scenes of a New Production 

M.S.: What has the rehearsal and creative process been like for this new production?

A.L.: We rehearsed for about a month in New York City. Then we spent two weeks in Utica, New York, doing all the tech—the design and technical elements of the show.

The lighting and the set are just stunning. That’s actually one of my favorite parts. Sometimes when I’m backstage, I’ll walk from the wings to get a look at not only the stellar performances my castmates are giving, but also the crew and creatives behind this, putting together this beautiful vision.

The rehearsal process was unique because it was so collaborative. That’s the beauty of a new musical. There is a discovery happening in the room.

We’re getting new lines and new pages in the script. We’re taking away a song, adding a song, flipping things around, or deciding that a character is going to sing something instead.

It’s been really fun. I appreciate that because spontaneity is exciting.

I think that’s one of the fun parts of creating art for a living—the freshness that’s in the room every day.

Our creative team is extremely talented and humble. I truly felt invited into that creative process, and that’s not always the case. It’s not always the case that a director would ask your opinion about the character.

This creative process has been even more collaborative and even more open to the possibilities that each actor brings to the room.

Bringing Her Own Flavor to the Role 

M.S.: How does that collaboration affect the way you approach Elizabeth?

A.L.: The way that I play Elizabeth will be different from our two wonderful covers who will step in for Elizabeth when I’m sick or away. They will do a beautiful job with the role, and it will be a little different because we’re all different humans. You have to bring your personal flavor to the character. I think this creative team made that not only possible, but desirable—for each of us to bring our special sauce.

Our star “Baby”, Annalise, brings her own special flavor to the role. Though I have to say, she is the spitting image of Jennifer Grey.

That’s wild to watch every night because they truly look so similar. But Annalise brings her own special flavor to the role, and the same is true with Blake, our Johnny.

This will absolutely be the classic story that you know and love, but there will be a freshness and liveliness that can only really be captured when we’re all in the same room making this thing called theater.

Returning to Chicago 

M.S.: You’ve performed at the Nederlander Theatre before with Hamilton. What does it mean to return to the same theater with Dirty Dancing?

A.L.: I was part of the Hamilton National Tour just a few years ago. I played at the Nederlander Theatre in Chicago in September 2023, and that was actually my final stop on the tour, where I closed out my run in Hamilton.

Exactly three years later, in September 2026, to be playing at the Nederlander again with this new show and this brand-new role I’m so excited about feels like a full circle and truly like a gift from God.

I’m in a different chapter of my life. I’ve grown personally and professionally, so coming back to the same theater where I closed out one chapter to open a new one is a blessing and a gift.

Chicago, Food and the Arts 

M.S.: What are you most looking forward to about being back in Chicago?

A.L.: I love Chicago. I love being on the water right there. I love the food. I’m a huge city person. I’m a native New Yorker, so I care a lot about the food, and I could be a harsh critic because I grew up in perhaps the greatest city in the world.

But I have to say, Chicago—we’re neck and neck for sure.

I’m already creating and going through my list of food spots.

And the museums are extra beautiful. The first thing on my list is the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, which currently has a Paul Tazewell exhibit.

Paul was the costume designer of Hamilton, and I found out that one of my Schuyler sister’s dresses is on display at the Griffin Museum.

I was so thrilled to find that out because Paul has done so much amazing work. Of course, in Hamilton, he also did the Wicked movie, so he did costume design for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

I found out that my dress from Hamilton is on display next to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s costumes. So that’s my first stop when I got to Chicago.

Faith as Her Motivation 

M.S.: Finally, what is one belief or statement that keeps you motivated every day?

A.L.: At the end of the day, for me, everything I do is for God and from God. My faith is my ultimate driver.

My faith in Christ is what brings me peace. It brings me hope and helps me show up each day. It helps me show up at the theater, in the rehearsal room, on stage, and backstage as the best version of myself—someone who is hopefully growing more selfless, more hardworking, and more kind day by day.

At the end of the day, for me, I must give the glory to God because that is the source, the motivation, the reward, and all of it.

For LaLonde, Dirty Dancing represents more than a beloved story coming to life on stage. It is another opportunity to create something new while stepping back into a theater that already holds an important place in her career.

You can keep up with Ashley LaLonde on Instagram @ashleylalaa.

For more information on “Dirty Dancing”: The Musical, visit Broadway In Chicago.

The production runs September 9–20, 2026, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago.