(The cast of "Footloose". Photo by Val Adamson)
Directed
for the first time by Daisy Spencer, the 17th annual Young Performers
Production for this year is a reprise of Footloose
which comes to the UKZN Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from September 8 to 17, 2017.
Footloose tells the story of a tenacious and
rebellious city teenager, Ren (played by Joshua Milne), who moves to a small
town where rock music and dancing have been banned by the conservative Rev Shaw
Moore (played by Arnie Field) and his wife (Sarah Heron) and the town council.
Ren leads the young people of the town, including Rev Moore’s rebellious
daughter Ariel (Leah Mari), in a protest against the town’s banning of the annual
dance.
The
stage adaptation of Footloose is by
Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie based on the original screenplay by Dean
Pitchford with music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford and additional
music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Logins and Jim Steinman.
Footloose has had two incarnations as a feature film:
in 1984 a youthful Kevin Bacon was Ren playing against John Lithgow’s Rev Shaw
Moore. Also in the cast were Lori Singer, Sarah Jessica Parker and Diane Wiest.
The film was remade in 2011 and featured Kenny Wormald as Ren and Dennis Quaid
as the Reverend. Also in the remake were Julianne Hough and Andie MacDowell.
Footloose, the Musical was adapted for the stage from
the film, and premiered in 1998 and became a Broadway and West End hit. It has
been staged successfully globally since then. Footloose boasts some now-iconic
musical numbers: the theme song, Footloose,
which became a hit for Kenny Loggins; Holding
out for a Hero, which was recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler for the
first film; and Let’s Hear it for the Boy
which became a number one song for singer Denise Williams. Other songs from the
musical include On Any Sunday; The Girl
Gets Around, Somebody’s Eyes, Heaven Help me and Learning to be Silent.
The 2017
Young Performers Project sees Daisy Spencer as both the director and
choreographer working together with co-choreographer Jarryd Watson and Des
Govender as vocal coach, Dawn Selby is MD, with live music from The Reals.
Production supervisor is Themi Venturas.
“We are
delighted to be reviving such a topical story as Footloose. When it was staged in 2014 we had a short run, and many
performances were sold out, and we had a sense that people wanted more – so we
are doing it again – staging it in a slightly different more contemporary way
with the addition of Jarryd’s new choreographic ideas, new leads and a mostly
new cast,” said Venturas.
The
project ensures that the learners get a taste of working in the professional
musical theatre arena. The cast of 25 were chosen at auditions – including
learners travelling from the Skhethuxolo High School in Hammarsdale. Rehearsals
are in full swing, with the cast meeting every weekend until the opening night.
The project promotes discipline, develops confidence, and gives an opportunity
to make life-long friendships, and to learn a huge amount from the
professionals.
The
producers are grateful to RCL Foods through their Do More Foundation, Black
Coffee, Snazzi Events and UKZN’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.
Previous
YPP productions have been: Curtain Up;
One Voice; Grease; Oliver; Fiddler on the Roof; The Wiz; Annie; School of Rock,
SA; Big River; Hairspray; Seussical; Legally Blonde, Can You Feel It?;
Footloose; Soldiers in the City and last year, Buddy – The Buddy Holly
Story.
Footloose the Musical runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
on UKZN campus from September 7 to 18 with shows from Tuesday to Saturday at 19h00
and Saturdays and Sundays at 14h30.
Over the
years the show has grown to be very popular with Durban audiences so early
booking is recommended. Booking is through Computicket outlets at Shoprite
Checkers, by phone on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com.
Footloose the Musical is presented by arrangement with
DALRO.
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