Theater ready to get loose, Footloose

Big production dance shows are back in vogue, thanks to the popularity of "High School Musical" and Broadway shows like "Jersey Boys."

So for the next three weekends Big Noise Theatre Company, a division of Winnetka Theatre, which now performs most of its shows at the Prairie Lakes Theatre in Des Plaines, is reaching back more than 20 years to perform another favorite from this category, "Footloose."

A tale of teen rebellion and repression, "Footloose" debuted in 1984 as a film starring Kevin Bacon. It is well-known for hit songs "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and the title track, "Footloose."

The show tells the story of teenager Ren McCormack (played by Jim Lis of Chicago), who moves with his family to a small western town from Chicago. He is shocked to learn that rock music and dancing are illegal in his new town, thanks to a Bible-thumping minister who is determined to keep the town dance-free.

With the help of a beautiful classmate, Ariel (played by Kelli LaValle of Homer Glen), and others, Ren initiates a battle to abolish the music and dancing ban and revitalize the town.

"I like theater that makes you think and 'Footloose' is totally not that," said Michael McGuire of Chicago, director, "But I also like shows like this that have the audience coming in the door expecting to have a wonderful time. This is just a very likable show."

And from a director's standpoint, it is a good choice because it reads well with different ability levels, from people who are performing in their first show ever to people who are very talented, McGuire added.

This is McGuire's first time directing for Big Noise Theatre, but he has been directing at Chicago area theaters for the past six years including The North Shore Theatre of Wilmette and the Starlight Theater. By day, he is a Chicago advertising executive.

A total of 35 people, ages 15 and up, are involved in the cast

The best-known personality involved is Kelli LaValle, who was one of the contestants on last winter's NBC reality show, "Grease: You're the One that I Want," during which co-stars were chosen for the current Broadway production of the popular musical "Grease."

Local actors cast include Don DeCarl of Des Plaines, Jessica Taber of Park Ridge and a junior at Maine South High School, and Erin Smith who works as a school media specialist in Des Plaines and lives in Hanover Park.

DeCarl, who plays Principal Clark, is a veteran of close to 100 stage productions in the Chicago area, performing at the Stage Right Dinner Theater, the Theater at the Center in Munster, Ind., the Mercury Theater in Chicago, the Attic Playhouse and the Light Opera Works, as well as at Big Noise Theater.

Taber and Smith are both making their debut with Big Noise but have appeared in other area productions.

If you go

What: "Footloose," the musical, Big Noise Theatre Company

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 21

Where: Prairie Lakes Theatre, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines

Tickets: $20 adults, $18 seniors/students, $12 children, 12 and under

Call: (847) 604-0275 or visit www.bignoise.org.