‘Footloose’ cast members will kick up their heels
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Cast members of the Jackson Memorial High School production of “Footloose” are spending hours getting set for opening night, Feb. 23.

It’s time to put on your dancing shoes and head over to Jackson Memorial High School for a production that will turn up the heat.

Jackson students will present the play “Footloose” on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m., Feb. 24-25 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at the high school Fine Arts Center, 101 Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson. Tickets for the production are $8 and can be purchased at the Fine Arts Center entrance of Jackson Memorial High School weekdays between 2-5 p.m.

“This is the first musical I’ve directed so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said theater teacher Jaclyn D. Somodi. “I have a talented and hardworking cast and a fantastic production staff, so although it’s been challenging, it’s been an enjoyable [experience] for all of us.”

The cast of 90 students is directed by Somodi with the assistance of Sandra Craig, vocal director; Jason M. Diaz, pit conductor; and Letita Towns, choreographer.

“Footloose” opens at a Chicago dance club where a fun-loving teenager, Ren McCormack (Brandon Contreras), is saying goodbye to his friends after Ren’s father leaves “to find himself.” His father’s sudden departure forces Ren and his mother, Ethel (Alyssa Bott), to leave Chicago and move in with his Aunt Lulu (Samantha Amaral) and Uncle Wes (Travis Book).

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When Ren and Ethel arrive in the small town of Beaumont, they encounter many closed-minded and disapproving people, all of whom are led by the powerful Rev. Shaw Moore (Jacob Rivedal). Ren is shocked to learn that after a tragic accident took the lives of four young people who held the promise of Beaumont’s future, Moore placed a town-wide ban on dancing.

Once in Beaumont, Ren takes an instant liking to the reverend’s rebellious daughter, Ariel (Kaitlin Rose), which causes problems for Ren with the reverend and Ariel’s high-school-dropout boyfriend, Chuck Cranston (Brian Tran).

While walking Ariel home one night after she has an argument with Chuck, Ren discovers that he has a lot in common with her. The budding relationship between the teenagers angers the reverend, causing him to forbid Ariel to see Ren.

Despite his wife’s (Jenna Rodriguez) requests and pleadings, the reverend refuses to listen and remains firm in his belief that Ren is a troublemaker.

Ren soon realizes that everyone in Beaumont is watching his every move and he vows to “take on the town” with the help of his new friends Willard (Michael Derling) and Ariel. He is determined to convince the people of Beaumont that “Dancing Is Not a Crime,” as the song says.

However, after Ren brings friends Ariel, Willard and Rusty (Merissa Hamilton) to a dance hall 100 miles outside of Beaumont, the reverend is infuriated at his daughter’s defiance. The reverend becomes obsessed with convincing everyone in Beaumont that Ren is trying to reopen the wounds of the accident they worked diligently to heal.

The outcome of “Footloose” hangs in the balance.

“My character comes from the hustling, bustling city of Chicago,” Contreras said. “He’s moved all the way from Chicago to Beaumont. When he gets there, he finds out there’s no dancing.”

Contreras said Ren realizes he loves dancing, as indicated by the song “I Can’t Stand Still,” and meets up with the reverend’s rebellious daughter.

He soon makes new friends and together they try to fight the law against dancing, he said.

The young actor said for him the play was a challenge.

“This is a very different character,” he said. “I’ve always followed the rules. Ren is kind of laid back and likes to dance a lot.”

Contreras said he’s had to work hard in this role, particularly with his speech, stance and walk.

“These are the little things that matter about these parts,” said the actor.

Contreras previously performed in “Into the Woods,” “Jack and the Bean-stalk,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” and he was in the Home and Theater Company production of “Footloose.”

Rose said she plays the part of Ariel, the reverend’s daughter who is a bit of a rebel.

“At first she has a bad boy boyfriend, but then she kind of falls for Ren,” said Rose.

The young actress said she likes the role because it is different. She said she is not the rebellious type, but her character is.

“I’m very excited,” said Rose. “Especially being a senior and this being my farewell performance.”

Rose said she has been in every musical since she was a freshman and played the role of Little Red Riding Hood in “Into the Woods.”

Rodriguez, who plays the reverend’s wife, said, “I love coming here every day. Everyone here is my best friend.”

Rodriguez, a senior, said she loves being on stage and being able to escape into her character.

Rivedal said the reverend is the antagonist in “Footloose.” He does not want to see a dance happen in Beaumont.

“He’s a complex character, but enjoyable,” said Rivedal. “I’m very religious as he is and very disciplined as he is in terms of daily life. So I find a lot of similarities. But he goes about his problems differently from the way I would.”

Rivedal said the character he portrays is very conflicted and that was the reason he was drawn to him.

“It’s definitely a crowd-pleaser,” said Rivedal. “The crowds that come to see it are definitely going to enjoy it. I encourage them to come out and see it.”

Musical selections include “Footloose,” “On Any Sunday,” “The Girl Gets Around,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.”

“Footloose”

When:

Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.

Feb 24-25 at 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.

Where:

Fine Arts Center

Jackson Memorial H.S.

101 Don Connor Boulevard

Tickets: $8