Dance Back To The ‘80s With Broadneck’s Spring Production Of “Footloose”

Big-city teen Ren McCormack moves to rural Bomont, Utah, and quickly learns he’s far from the nightlife of Chicago. Looking for some action in the sleepy town, he discovers that dancing and alcohol are banned. Now in his senior year of high school, Ren wonders, what kind of a senior prom doesn’t have dancing?

From April 23–25, students at Broadneck High School will dance and sing their way into your hearts with the musical “Footloose,” derived from the 1984 soundtrack and box office smash hit that launched the careers of Kevin Bacon and Sarah Jessica Parker into the stratosphere.

“‘Footloose’ is a fun show based on a movie with one of the best soundtracks ever, but of course, it’s also a story with important themes and complex characters, which made it a good challenge for our students to push themselves,” said Dylan Roche, the musical’s director. “If a show is both fun and challenging, then it’s the kind of show we want to do.”

Jack Jones, a junior who plays the main antagonist, Rev. Shaw Moore, agreed. “Footloose may seem like just a fun show because of the dancing and the singing, but there is a deeper theme that everyone experiences,” Jones explained. “People need to come to the show because there is a very important story about freedom and expressing yourself, grief, mourning and being OK with loss.”

Anchoring the poignant story is the iconic ‘80s pop music. Even if audiences haven’t seen the original movie, they will surely tap their feet and sing along with the music. Six of the nine songs on the “Footloose” soundtrack were on Billboard’s Hot 100 Top 40 hits, including “Footloose” and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” which both went to No. 1.

Teagan Yokanobich, a junior who plays the outgoing and confident Rusty, appreciates the opportunity to experiment with how her character acts in different situations. Yokanobich has been in chorus since elementary school and likes the song-and-dance-heavy production because it allows her to stretch her vocal skills.

“We’re fortunate at Broadneck to have a phenomenally talented group of students — I can’t say enough good things about not only their natural skills but also their work ethic. Many of them are professional to their core,” Roche said. “They enthusiastically give everything they have to every rehearsal and are always receptive when we’re pushing them to try harder. This has not been an easy winter, and we’ve missed so many rehearsals because of the weather, but they’ve risen to the challenge of making up for lost time, doubling down on their efforts in rehearsal, and putting in the work by themselves at home. I can’t say enough good things about them.”

Best friends Robert Herzog, a junior, and Jaxson Kiger, a senior, play onscreen best friends Ren McCormack and Willard Hewitt. They feel the entire cast has great talent and chemistry and have thoroughly enjoyed the making of “Footloose,” promising audiences will feel their bond, and their love of this production.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a more talented cast than the one we have here, or people with more passion for theater,” Jones said. “The casting is just perfect! Each actor is perfect for their role. When I am not in a scene, I like to sit back and watch these incredible actors. They are very inspiring.”

The audience will dance and sing in their seats as they await the climatic prom scene, and Roche promises the anticipation will pay off.

“‘Footloose’ transcends its ‘80s setting. Every generation of young people has to learn to stand up for what they believe in and assert themselves,” Roche said. “That was true in the ‘80s, and it was true a generation later when I was a teenager, and it’s true a generation later today.”

In addition to Roche, the musical is produced by music director Andrew Lincoln and teacher adviser Natalie Quandel, who also serves as choreographer.

Tickets are now on sale at cur8.com/projects/2240.