‘Footloose’ kicks its way onto St. Joe stage this weekend

‘Footloose’ kicks its way onto St. Joe stage this weekend

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MADISON — The popular musical based on the classic film “Footloose” is dancing its way onto the St. Joseph Catholic School stage this weekend for their annual spring theatre production. 

“Footloose” is a hit film from 1984 which tells the story of Rea McCormack, a teenager from Chicago, who moves to a small town with his mother. There, a local minister has banned dancing and rock music, a ban that McCormack tries to overturn. 

St. Joe theatre teacher Leslie Harkins is directing the musical and said everyone will have a good time. 

“It’s a super great show,” Harkins said. “If you ever saw the original film, or even if you didn’t, you will enjoy this stage version.” 

Students have been rehearsing lines, learning dances and practicing songs for the musical, which opens in the St. Joe Fine Arts Theatre this weekend. Shows are on Friday, April 14 at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 15 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 16 at 2 p.m.

The cast includes Atticus Gomez and Ren McCormack, Gia Picarella as Ariel Moore (daughter of the pastor who bans dancing), Zaniah Purvis as Rusty (Ariel’s best friend), and Trey Compretta as Willard (Rusty’s boyfriend). 

The musical will also feature students playing in the orchestra, playing live music for all four performances. Others will have roles behind-the-scenes, changing stage sets, monitoring audio and handling lighting. 

St. Joe principal Dr. Dena Kinsey said students spend untold hours after school and on the weekends preparing to stage a musical everyone can enjoy. 

“Our students put on the best musical performances,” Kinsey said. “For anyone who follows our Fine Arts program, that isn’t a surprise.” 

Tickets for “Footloose” will be available at the box office the day of each performance and are $12 each. St. Joe students will receive free admission, along with students from Sister Thea Bowman, St. Richard, and St. Anthony Catholic schools if they wear their school shirts to the show. 

The musical will be located in the St. Joe Fine Arts Theatre at 308 New Mannsdale Road in Madison, just west of the I-55 and Highway 463 interchange. 






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