Shawnee High School’s theatre club will be presenting the musical version of the 1984 movie “Footloose.”
According to GuidetoMusicalTheatre.com, when Ren McCormack and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the adjustment to his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the local laws, including a ban on dancing, which are the brainchild of a local preacher bent on exercising control over the town’s youths. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her heart on Ren, her boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation and many of the locals are eager to believe the worst about the new kid.
The preacher’s ban on dancing followed the death of four high school students killed in a car accident after leaving a school dance.
“It’s about a town having dealt with the death of four kids and they’re constantly reminded,” said musical director Gina Kehl. “The audience will be able to connect with the show.”
The musical follows the storyline of the movie. On stage, the show is the classic “triple threat” for the actors demanding singing, acting and dancing.
Kehl based this year’s musical on the production performed last year.
“We did ‘Guys and Dolls’ this year, which is very dance heavy,” said Kehl.
Preparations for the play began in December. After three cuts, 98 students were chosen as the cast, including four student athletes with no previous background in musicals. Additionally, more males came out for the musical than any other year.
“They’re doing a really great job,” said Kehl. “A lot of these kids do so many other activities too. They’re really dedicated to this.”
Jackie Witherow and Spencer Pargas will play Ariel Moore and John Peterson, and David Thomas will be playing the role of Ren McCormack.
The cast will present six shows over two weekends.
“I’m very excited,” said Witherow. “There’s more to the play, there’s dancing, singing and acting.”
Rehearsals run for 10 weeks with focus on the dancing portion of the production.
Kehl emphasizes the time and effort put forth by each student and is confident it will translate well on the stage.
“I think it’s different than the other show’s we’ve done. There’s a lot more dancing than other shows, it’s not easy,” said Kehl.
Kehl didn’t encourage the cast to watch the original version of the movie or the recent 2011 remake so the movies did not sway the actor’s interpretation. However, a number of cast members had already seen the film.
“[The newer version of the movie] helped me understand my character better,” said Witherow.
“In the [1984 version of the movie] it’s more party and happiness. The new one is more emotional, and helped me understand Ariel and the problems she was dealing with at home,” added Pargas.
Seeing the movie changed how Thomas felt about the play, noting a missing fight scene from the play.
“It made the movie a little more exciting,” he said. “It might get put in the play.”
The commanding show has made cast members both nervous and excited for the performance.
“Even though I like the dancing, it’s going to be a challenge singing and dancing on stage. If you mess up one, you’ll mess up both,” said Peterson.
Kehl is confident in her cast.
“I had it in my mind we needed to do a fun, upbeat show because we have so many great dancers,” she said.
“Footloose” will open Feb. 22 at Shawnee High School at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
Additional shows are slated for Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. and March 1–2 at 7 p.m.
Tickets will be available on Shawnee’s website, www.lrhsd.org and at the door for $10.
“Come see it. It’s a really fun show for all ages,” said Pargas.
