November 20, 2003

Footloose runs through this weekend

One of the liveliest musicals to hit the silver screen will rock the live stage when Northwest-ern presents “Footloose.”

Remaining performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, will be held at Cahn Auditorium.

“Footloose” tells the story of a young man who, after his father’s death, moves to a small Texas town with a ban on dancing.

It will be directed and choreographed by Northwestern theatre faculty member Lara Teeter, artistic director of Light Opera Works in Evanston.

‘Footloose’ is a classic tale about the journey of a reluctant messiah,” said Teeter. “Teenager Ren McCormick is at a crossroads in his life. He finds himself in a restrictive rural environment after experiencing the expansive freedom of a big urban setting (in Chicago).”

In the course of the play, the audience discovers that the ban on dancing was created by the town minister in response to his own son’s death.

“It is the persistence of the young rebel from the streets of Chicago who finally returns dance to the good people of Bomont.” Said Teeter. “Dance becomes a metaphor for self-expression, and eventually a way to heal the entire community.”

Based on a book by Dean Pitchford and featuring the music of Tom Snow, Eric Carmen, Kenny Loggins and Sammy Hagar, “Footloose” features an Oscar- and Tony-nominated top 40 score augmented by dynamic new songs that move the story forward and add dimension to the characters portrayed by a cast of energetic Northwestern students. The exuberant dance numbers convey the emotion of the musical’s spirited young characters.

“While this is a play about teenagers, our adult audience also will enjoy the depth of the story and its universal theme of healing,” said Teeter.

Northwestern’s 2003-04 Mainstage Theatre Season is supported by the Sara Lee Foundation.

Single ticket prices are $24 for the general public; $20 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $11 for full-time students.