'Footloose' brings dancing to WW South stage
Don't expect to see leg warmers or portable cassette players in Wheaton Warrenville South High School's production of "Footloose."
The rock musical, which opens tonight and runs through Saturday, May 15, isn't meant to be a parody of the 1984 film that launched Kevin Bacon to superstardom.
Instead, co-director Roberta James says there's a deeper meaning to the story about Ren, a dance-loving teenager from Chicago who moves to the town Bomont, where his favorite form of self-expression is forbidden by order of a local preacher determined to exercise control over the local youth. Despite being viewed as an outcast, Ren soon realizes how unhappy the townspeople are. So he starts an effort to bring dancing back to the deprived town.
"Because of the way the script is written, there's opportunities for real characters," James said. "They are not stereotypes. They are not caricatures. There's some really dramatic scenes requiring some heavy theatrical acting."
It just so happens that the story evolves with the help of Oscar- and Grammy-nominated music, including two No. 1 hit songs: Kenny Loggins' "Footloose" and Deniece Williams' "Let's Hear It for the Boy."
James says the result is "a great combination of awesome music and dance numbers" with a real story about people with real issues.
"Footloose" the musical originally opened on Broadway in 1998 and ran for more than 700 performances. Unlike the film, the actors in the musical sing all of the well-known Top 40 songs, as well as tunes created specifically for the stage musical.
James said the musical was chosen, in part, because it allows for a bigger cast. There are 37 students with roles in the production. It also gives those students the chance to display their diverse talents.
"It's an opportunity for theatrical kids to have a part in a musical," James said. "But also, those kids who are singers and dancers have an opportunity to show their acting chops."
Student Grace Wright, who plays the part of Ethel McCormack, said the best part about being involved with the production is seeing everyone "sacrifice their egos so the whole group can shine."
"There are big parts and small parts and chorus parts, but no one feels left out," she said. "Everyone's so willing to contribute their gifts."
If you goWhat: "Footloose"When: 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, May 13 to 15Where: Wheaton Warrenville South High School, 1993 Tiger Trail, WheatonTickets: $8 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and children under 8Info: (630) 784-7243 or wwshs.org'Footloose' castPrincipal Clark: Shawn AnayaBetty Blast: Paige BabillaJeter: Noah BairdRen: Brad BealeLulu Warniker: Cassidy DrewEleanor Dunbar: Kelsey FigielRev. Moore: Mike JankoskiCowboy Bob: Jeff JordanAriel: Katie MagoonWillard: Alden MartonWendy Jo: Teresa MartzGarvin: Danny McKeeChuck: Matthew MooreBickle: Jake MorrisonTravis: Ken NotterVi Moore: Anna PerrottiCoach Dunbar: Jeff SabaWes Warniker: Adam SchumacherCop: David SolbergUrleen: Erin TaylorLyle: Ryan WheatleyRusty: Emma WrightEthel McCormack: Grace WrightAdult Choir: Marina Larusso, Joey PetrandoAdult Ensemble: Shawn Anaya, Paige Babilla, Cassidy Drew, Kelsey Figiel, Jenny Kirsch, Jeff Saba, Adam Schumacher, David SolbergStudent Ensemble: Noah Baird, Laine Bruzek, Alex Claiborne, Joe Foltz, Monica Holland, Ellie Jordan, Jeff Jordan, Alex Kalb, Marc Lewis, Danny McKee, Matthew Moore, Jake Morrison, Ken Notter, Mike Restaino, Caroline Roberts, Richie Roesner, Mary Tehrani, Ryan WheatleyTrue20001353Brad Beale, right, plays the role of Ren, a dance-loving teen from Chicago who moves to a small town, in Wheaton Warrenville South High School's production of "Footloose." Ren makes an unlikely friend with Willard, the character played by Alden Marton, left.Bev Horne | Staff PhotographerTrue