How to go
What: “Footloose”
When: 7:30 p.m. July 15, 16, 17, 2:30 p.m. July 18
Where: Middletown High School, 601 N. Breiel Blvd.
Cost: $8 presale, $10 at the door for adults. $6 for children 8 and under. Tickets available at Middletown Arts Center, 130 N. Verity Parkway. Call (513) 424-2417.
MIDDLETOWN — Kids will be kicking off their Sunday shoes next week as Summer Youth Theatre presents the stage version of “Footloose.”
It plays at 7:30 p.m. July 15, 16 and 17, and at 2:30 p.m. July 18 at Middletown High School, 601 N. Breiel Blvd.
The stage show follows the plot of the 1984 movie with Kevin Bacon very closely: a new kid named Ren, played by Bacon in the film, loves to dance, but runs afoul of the town minister who has banned all forms of cutting a rug. The show includes the songs from the hit soundtrack, including “Almost Paradise,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and the title tune.
Scott Christian, the director of this show, and a newcomer to Summer Youth Theatre, said, “One of the things this show hits perfectly are themes of living in the moment. What I’ve tried to do with this show is surround myself with other people who are good at their jobs.”
One of those people is choreographer Lauren Morgan, who has danced in several Summer Youth Theatre shows. The Wright State graduate and Middletown resident also danced in “Footloose” herself, having performed in the La Comedia Dinner Theatre version in 2005 when she was about 16.
“That was the first professional show I did. That’s when I knew I wanted to do this as a profession,” she said.
Having had that previous experience at La Comedia, “just familiarized me with the show, but I’ve tried to make it my own. My style is very fluid,” Morgan said.
The group of kids performing this year is a particularly energetic bunch, making “Footloose” the ideal vehicle for them, said Janell Morgan, the board president.
“It’s a high-energy show the kids seem to like. These kids just love to dance. It’s a fun show,” she said.
Backing that up, Miranda Harrison of Madison Twp., who plays Urleen, said “We get to dance a lot. That’s always fun.”
Indeed, Michael Pretorius of Springboro, who plays Ren, said “This is my favorite show. I’m really excited to get this part. It fits me well. Ren does gymnastics, I do gymnastics.”
Nia Gayle of Monroe, a member of the ensemble, said, “Even though this show is 20 or 30 years old, it’s fun for us. It’s super high energy.”
Tickets cost $8 presale, $10 at the door for adults and $6 for children 8 and younger. Tickets are available at the Middletown Arts Center, 130 N. Verity Parkway. Call (513) 424-2417 for more information.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.
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