The Bartlesville High School Fine Arts Department will be kicking up its heels this week with its musical production of “Footloose.”
Based on the popular movie from the 1980s, “Footloose” is scheduled to hit the Fine Arts Center auditorium stage – on the BHS campus – from May 1-3.
“‘Footloose' celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people,” says Wes Singleton, the Bartlesville Public School District 's vocal music supervisor who is directing the show, “and guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.”
“Footloose” centers around Ren McCormack, who along with his mother Ethel, moves from Chicago to a small farming town. Ren, portrayed by Alex Rivera, is prepared for the inevitable adjustment of changing schools and locales. But what he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by local preacher Rev. Shaw Moore, played by Taylor Rodgers.
Drama ensues when Shaw's rebellious daughter Ariel Moore, portrayed by Mackenzie McDaniel, falls for Ren. Her unhappy boyfriend, Chuck Cranston (played by Cylas Brooks), tries to sabotage Ren's reputation and many of the locals seem eager to believe the worst about the newcomer.
Other cast members in the production include Tessa Long (who plays Ethel McCormack), Judy Osborn (Shaw's wife Vi Moore), Kimberly Gray (Rusty), Shelby Wright (Urleen), JoBeth Wasicek (Wendy Jo), Kenny Bond (Willard Hewitt), D.J. Bailey (Cowboy Bob), Aaron Williams (Bickle), Jacob Rainey (Gavin), Sam Holbert (wrestling coach Roger Dunbar), Sarah Cowles (Eleanor Holbert), Kelcey King (Lulu Warnicker), Steve Sullivan (Wes Warnicker), David Calhoun (principal Harry Clark), Micah Marshall (Travis), James Allen (Lyle) and Rachel Henson (diner owner Betty Blast).
The music of “Footloose” – both the movie and Broadway productions – has always been a hit. The director of the BHS Orchestra, Rhonda Carr will lead the rockin' rhythms of the BHS production. Bartlesville Mid-High School vocal coordinator Tamara Walker serves as the show's choreographer while lighting, set design and construction are being directed by Ricky Newkirk, the manager and technical director of the Fine Arts Center.
Tickets are priced at $12 (adults) and $7 (students). They are available at the Bartlesville Community Center box office, online at www.bartlesvillecommunitycenter.com and at the BHS Fine Arts Center, beginning two hours before each show.
Show times are 7 p.m. on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 3.
The Bartlesville High School musical production of "Footloose" is scheduled to take place in the Fine Arts Center auditorium on the BHS campus from May 1-3.