Elmhurst Children's Theatre Presents Footloose the Musical!
We aren't sure who is more excited about ECT's upcoming production of Footloose the Musical - the actors or their parents! Inspired by the wildly popular 1984 movie, Footloose is packed with high-energy dancing, vintage costumes and songs that defined the 1980s.
What is it like to work with the cast on such an iconic piece of pop culture? "Awesome! The kids are having a blast," replied the show's director David Rice. "It's great to introduce them to something we grew up with. They are learning to appreciate the good old days of the eighties. It's also a great teenage 'coming of age' story no matter what era it's set in."
(True fact: Rice had a small part in the film "She's Having a Baby" that starred Kevin Bacon!)
"Our eighties costumes are so fun and colorful," said Julia Stone, eighth grader at Sandburg. "And the plan is to make our hair really, really big. I'm so happy to be a part of this amazing show and the cast is like my second family."
Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack who is transplanted from Chicago to the small farming town where he experiences a heavy dose of culture shock - including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher. Ren tries to gain support from his friends to overturn the extreme ban and while doing so, he catches the attention of the preacher's daughter. The heartfelt message celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.
Sebastian Rohn, an eighth grader at Bryan, explained that he's having a lot of fun playing the main character: "After seeing the original movie, I'm trying to mix some of Kevin Bacon and my own take on Ren. I also really like my part because I get to do all kinds of dancing!"
The incredible pop/rock score features such hits as "Let's Hear It for the Boy," "Almost Paradise," "Holding Out for a Hero," and the hit title song by Kenny Loggins that will have audiences dancing in their seats - "Footloose." According to Rice, the trio performance of "Learning To Be Silent" is his favorite part of the show. "It gives me goose bumps every time they sing it."
The 43-member cast of Footloose includes Elmhurst community children in grades 5th through 8th. The actors have been rehearsing their singing, dancing and acting skills for the past two months as well as plastering show posters throughout town.
Sarah Giordano is the music director and Shanae Sterba arranged the show's choreography.
Footloose runs Friday, October 16 at 7 PM, Saturday, October 17 at 2 and 7 PM and Sunday, October 18 at 2 PM at Bryan Middle School, 111 W. Butterfield Road in Elmhurst. All tickets are $8 and are sold at the door.
Group reservations of 15 or more receive priority seating and a backstage tour. Contact Michelle Maiers at 630-832-0667 or mmaiers@elmhurstchildrenstheatre.com. For more information, please visit elmhurstchildrenstheatre.com.