A ban on rock music and dancing in a small farming community spurs a teenager new to town to rebel against the overly zealous minister keeping the ban in place the only way he knows how – by dancing.
Maple Ridge resident Brian Johnson plays the stern role of the Reverend Shaw Moore and Jay Tulip, another Maple Ridge resident, plays the role of Bickle, in the musical 'Footloose' being brought to the stage by Gallery 7 Theatre in Abbotsford.
Adapted for the stage by Dean Pritchford and Walter Bobbie, and based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, the story follows Ren, played by Dalton Nelson, a teenager from Chicago who moves with his mother to the community of Bomont, whose residents live under the rigorous municipal edicts championed by the reverend.
The reverend, who is reeling from the tragic loss of a son, and Ren, who is longing for his own father who abandoned him, find themselves in a battle over the anti-dance rules, before the senior prom, which is right around the corner.
"We're very excited to bring this highly entertaining musical to the stage," said Ken Hildebrandt, managing artistic director of Gallery 7 Theatre.
"At the centre of all the fun is a tender story of love, loss, forgiveness and redemption. I think audiences are in for both an exhilarating and moving theatre experience," he noted.
The Tony Award-nominated musical, with music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and featuring additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman, features '80's hits like 'Footloose', 'Let's Hear it for the Boy', 'I Need a Hero' and 'Almost Paradise', plus dynamic new songs and soaring ballads.
It is based on the Academy Award-nominated film starring Kevin Bacon and will feature a live orchestra consisting of eight musicians.
Directing 'Footloose' is Kate Muchmore Woo, a Masters of Fine Arts graduate of UNC Greensboro.
Woo has directed numerous productions for Gallery 7 Theatre including 'Murder on the Orient Express', 'Enchanted April', and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
"Upon revisiting the story and digging into the characters, I discovered this musical is not all fluff and teenage angst," Woo explained.
"While those elements are there - and come on, who doesn't love some of these great songs and exciting dancing - there's always a reason behind people's actions, and the reasons in this musical are not superficial or shallow. Eventually, through Ren's efforts and heart, a healing journey becomes possible, and what better way to embody freedom than through dance," Woo added.
'Footloose' runs March 14 and 15, 19 - 22, and 25 - 28, at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on March 15, 22, and 23, at the Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way, Abbotsford.
For tickets and more information go to: www.gallery7theatre.com, or call 604-504-5940.
Due to some mature themes, suggestive language, and depictions of abusive relationships, this show is recommended for those 12 years and older.
