FOOTLOOSE THE MUSICAL Dances Into Theatre Arlington

Theatre Arlington's 45th Anniversary Season is ready to cut loose...footloose that is, with the production of Footloose the Musical, opening on May 11th. The stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie is based on Pitchford's original screenplay.

Pitchford, who was known for writing top pop tunes for stars like Steve Perry and Melissa Manchester, had been approached back in the late 70's about writing a musical focusing on a girl wanting to be a pop star or go to Broadway. His first thought? "Well, that is dull!" But he pondered...if it was forbidden or outlawed, then that could certainly spice it up.

That thought stayed in the back of his mind when he read the news story in 1979 about a small town in Oklahoma - Elmore City - that had banned dancing for 90 years. That year the high school class of only 11 kids decided they wanted to have a dance, but the town leaders had a big problem with that, even though no one could remember why this a law had been made in the first place. Fights ensued, families split, neighbors weren't talking to neighbors and the minister put his foot down. And...Footloose was born!

Life in small-town Bomont is peaceful until Ren, a city boy from Chicago, arrives and begins breaking all the rules. With the help of some unlikely friends, Ren brings dancing back to the heart of a town held back much too long by the memory of a tragedy. Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people and guiding them with a warm heart and open mind. This iconic 1984 movie musical leaves the cinema screen and explodes onto the stage with new music and lyrics by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford, and of course, all the additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman will have everyone dancing in the aisles.

Theatre Arlington's production of Footloose the Musical is directed by Steven D. Morris, last seen on the stages of Theatre Arlington in the hit comedy, Sylvia. Joining Morris at the helm is Music Director, Alex Vorse, who last shared his musical talents with the cast of TA's Legally Blonde the Musical and Guys and Dolls. And Arlington's own Dawn Conley Prejean serves as the choreographer. This young and energetic cast features Jonathan Hardin as Ren McCormack, Haven Isom as Ariel, Brad Stephens as Reverend Shaw Moore, Rema Martinez as Vi Moore, Christine Chambers as Ethel McCormack, Keith Warren as Willard and Donovan Lawson as Rusty. Rounding out the cast are Jake Harris, Aly Badalamenti, Emily-Kate Ivey, Nik Blocker, Tevin Cates, George Sepulveda III, Kristin McQuaid, Cathy Pritchett, Austin Hawkins, Larry Macklin, Stacy Okafor, Tori Micaletti, Tomas Moquette, Ashton Morales and Alexandra Neary.

Production Manager/Stage Manager, Lexi Lehberg, leads a talented production team including Kevin Brown (Set Design), Janice Pennington (Costume Designer), Bill Eickenloff (Sound Designer), Bryan Stevenson (Lighting Designer), Michelle Robinson (Properties Designer), Robin Dotson (Properties Designer), Angie Glover (Scenic Artist), Chloe Canella (Assistant Choreographer) and Mario Ramirez (Assistant Stage Manager).

Footloose the Musical, sponsored by the Wade Family Funeral Home, will begin entertaining audiences on Friday, May 11th, with a post-show reception sponsored by Prince Lebanese Grill immediately following the show. This reception for all cast, crew and audience members will also include dessert provided by Cooper Street Bakery, the official bakery of Theatre Arlington.

Footloose the Musical is appropriate for ages 12 and up. Performances will continue through June 3rd with our traditional production schedule:

Thursdays at 7:30pm

Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm

Sundays at 2:00pm

AND an added performance on Saturday, June 2nd at 2:00pm

Footloose the Musical is presented by special arrangement with R & H Theatricals. www.MTIshows.com.

Musical recordings are provided by The MT Pit, L.L.C. wwwthemtpit.com

See website for more information and to purchase tickets: www.TheatreArlington.org

Box Office: 817.275.7661

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