West Springfield Theatre Department selected the cast and technical crews for its spring musical comedy, "Footloose," the stage adaptation of the movie by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. The show opens Wednesday, April 30 and runs through Saturday, May 3. Originally a movie with Kevin Bacon, "Footloose" (the stage adaptation) opened on Broadway in 1999. The show, set in the 1980s is filled with catchy music and energetic dance. One of modern Broadway's new musicals, "Footloose" features the story of a fatherless city youth named Ren (Jared Timmons) who moves from Chicago to a small western town of Bomont where dancing — along with anything else that might be fun — is illegal. Ren has to fight the local minister, Shaw Moore (Tom Eisman), and plead with the town council for permission to throw a school dance, and "cut loose" a little. Going along with the fight is Shaw's rebellious and beautiful daughter, Ariel (Emily Petty).
"Footloose" features the music of Tom Snow, Kenny Loggins, Sammy Hagar, Jim Steinman and Eric Carmen.
Other West Springfield cast members include: Ethel McCormack, Heather Bouley; Understudy — Missy Arbogast; Reverend Shaw Moore, Understudy — Eric Verchot; Vi Moore, Liz Howard; Ariel Moore, Understudy — Adaire Jennings; Lulu Warnicker, Brin Lukens; Wes Warnicker, Philip LaCroix, Coach Roger Dunbar, Jonny Styron; Eleanor Dunbar, Emily Gorski; Rusty, Ashlie Reese, Understudy — Ashlie Corum; Urleen, Krista Roper, Understudy — Marilee Greene; Wendy Jo, Christina Johnson, Understudy — Karin Carneal; Chuck Cranston, David Royfe; Lyle, Scott Clapsaddle; Travis, Rudy Telson; Policeman, Mike Newman; Betty Blast, Mel Pearsall; Irene, Ashleigh DeWitt; Willard Hewitt, Dan Plehal; Principal Harry Clark, Brandon Ferraro; Jeter, Matt Tucker; Cowboy Bob, Brendan Carter; Bickle, Dan Work; Garvin, Mike Newsome; Country Kickers Band -- Karin Carneal, Rachel Foster, Marilee Greene, Amy LaCrosse, Lauren Angwin, Meredith Mazie, Katy Ripa.
Performances will run 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday April 30 - May 3 in West Springfield's Adolphus Coward Auditorium. Each evening will feature the school's top creative talents in acting, singing, dancing, and technical design.
The production staff includes: Meg Mahoney (tech director); Margaret Santiago, Emily Levin and Sara Rogers (choreographers); Rachel Byington and Lindsay Waters (student directors); Ian Milholland, Christy Denny and Kelly Schloesser (stage managers); Mike Warren (set); Mike Wines (lights/set); David Coolidge and J.D. Taylor (props); Meg Mahoney (costumes); Christine Swann and Tanaya Hantke (publicity); Adam Lopes and Doug Hallock (sound); and Jen Ashcroft, Melanie Pearsall and Lindsay Waters (artistic paint); Theresa Ohanian (make-up).
"We are excited to bring this rock and roll, wild and crazy crowd-pleaser to our audiences," said Mary Jo Levesque, theatre arts director. "Amazingly, most people who see our professional quality shows do not realize that the entire show from top to bottom is funded and put together solely by students. West Springfield students design and build the sets, lights, sound, choreography, and provide orchestral accompaniment. The only professional assistance students receive is from the capable direction from our performing arts faculty including Michael Dombrow, choral director and Amanda Ehst, our musical conductor. The West Springfield performing arts mission is to provide students with the guidance and tools to pull together a tremendously successful show that belongs to them exclusively," she added.
Tickets for "Footloose" will be available at the door for $10 adults/ $7 students. The show is produced by special arrangement with the Rodgers and Hammerstein Music Library of New York, New York.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield. West Springfield High School is located just outside of the Beltway off of Braddock Road (west) and Rolling Road (south).