Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present Footloose the Musical by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie as its spring musical beginning Thursday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m., in Jones Performing Arts Center. Performances will continue April 22-23 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee Sunday, April 24, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 each.
Footloose the Musical, an adaptation of both Paramount Pictures’ 1984 film and its 2011 musical remake, revolves around a city slicker teen named Ren who moves to a small town and finds dancing has been outlawed. Ren challenges the law and the clergyman who helped initiate it, Rev. Shaw Moore, while also falling for Moore’s daughter, Ariel. The adaptation by Pitchford and Bobbie is based on the original screenplay by Pitchford with music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Pitchford and additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar and Kenny Loggins.
“Both Rev. Moore and Ren have felt dragged down, whether it’s from depression or repression, and they can’t quite live the life that they want to,” said Drew Hampton, Ouachita’s assistant professor of theatre arts and director of the musical. “Footloose is definitely about both of these guys going through a change that allows them to live a more free life mentally, emotionally and—in terms of being footloose—physically, as well. Ariel goes through her own version of this journey.”
Whether or not the audience has seen one or both films, Hampton said he thinks the musical’s appeal will span several generations.
“It has the fun, the big laugh-out-loud stuff, but it also has some very still, dramatic moments,” Hampton said. “For me, it’s a very rounded theatre experience.”
Scotty Scott, a freshman musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark., who plays Rev. Moore, said he hopes the underlying message will resonate with the audience. He described Footloose as “a story of perseverance through adversity and grief.”
“Many characters in this show have experienced pain at a high level, and they work to overcome all obstacles put in front of them in order to do what they believe is best for the people around them,” Scott said. “I’m hoping that people will leave this show inspired, because while there are times where all hope may seem lost for the people living in Bomont, there is always a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel.”
While the characters and themes in Footloose are relatable, Garrett Sayers, a senior musical theatre major from Greenwood, Ark., who plays Ren, said that the production itself—and notably the choreography—should be exciting for the audience.
“It is going to be so much fun,” Sayers said, “and it won’t matter whether you’re a student, faculty member or from the community, there will be something in Footloose you will most definitely connect with and love.”
In addition to Hampton, other lead production team members include: Music Director Dr. Jon Secrest, Ouachita professor of music; Choreographer Grace Hampton, OBU alumna; Co-Stage Managers Jess Elliff, a freshman musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark., and Walter Dodd, a senior theatre arts major from Little Rock, Ark.; Co-Dance Captains Hannah Fender, a junior musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark., and Stacy Hawking, a senior musical theatre major from Sherwood, Ark.; and Accompanists John Briggs and Susan Monroe.
Tickets may be purchased at the OBU Box Office in JPAC on weekdays from 1-5 p.m. or online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. For more information, call the box office during business hours at (870) 245-5555 or email boxoffice@obu.edu.
By Rachel Gaddis
Cast members:
- Shaw Moore: Scotty Scott, a freshman musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark.
- Ren: Garrett Sayers, a senior musical theatre major from Greenwood, Ark.
- Ariel: Hailey Weiner, a senior musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark.
- Rusty: Kayla Walker, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.
- Willard: Hunter Brown, a senior musical theatre major from Central City, Ark.
- Urleen: Hannah Hines, a sophomore musical theatre and mass communications double major from Russellville, Ark.
- Chuck: Will Stotts, a sophomore musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark.
- Wendy Jo: Stacy Hawking, a senior musical theatre major from Sherwood, Ark.
- Travis: Jacob Hemsath, a sophomore musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas
- Vi: Angela Morgan, a senior musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark.
- Lyle: Aaden Jones, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.
- Ethel: Esther Atkinson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark.
- Cowboy Bob: Kenderick Scorza, a senior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.
Ensemble:
- Vanja Bogetic, a junior musical theatre major from Budva, Serbia.
- Mattie Bogoslavsky, a senior musical theatre and psychology double major from North Little Rock, Ark.
- Jesse Bowron, a junior theatre arts major from Grandview, Texas
- Micah Brooks, a freshman musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas
- Tara Clem, a senior musical theatre major from Texarkana, Texas
- Hannah Fender, a junior musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark.
- Michaela Finley, a freshman musical theatre major from Cedarville, Ark.
- Bethany Gere, a senior musical theatre and communication sciences and disorders double major from White Hall, Ark.
- Mackenzie Holtzclaw, a freshman musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.
- Lauren Hutcheson, a junior musical theatre major from Bossier City, La.
- Tyler Lewis, a senior theatre arts major from Fayetteville, Ga.
- Mercedes Mata, a freshman musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark.
- Zach Myers, a sophomore musical theatre major from Barling, Ark.
- Michael Peré, a sophomore musical theatre major from Roland, Ark.
- Kenzie Osborn, a freshman musical theatre major from Heath, Texas
- Kyle Osmon, a senior musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark.
- Philip Robinson, a freshman musical theatre major from Lewisville, Texas
- Bret Sanders, a junior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark.
- Lauren Terry, a freshman musical theatre major from Evansville, Ind.
- Cody Walls, a sophomore musical theatre major from Huntington, Ark.
- AJ Valdez, a sophomore musical theatre major from Terrell, Texas
Production Teams:
Costumes
- Designer: Christina Johnson, visiting assistant professor of theatre arts
- Crew Head: Allison Austin, a junior musical theatre major from Mena, Ark.
- Crew Members: Tara Clem, a senior musical theatre major from Texarkana, Texas; Rachel Mack, a freshman musical theatre major from Kirby, Ark.; Jordan Martinez, a freshman theatre arts and education double major from Forney, Texas; and Mercedes Mata, a freshman musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark.
Makeup/Hair
- Designer: Christina Johnson, visiting assistant professor of theatre arts
- Crew Head & Assistant Designer: Kathleen Suit, a senior theatre arts major from Hot Springs, Ark.
- Crew Members: Natalie Williams, a senior music and theatre arts double major from Little Rock, Ark., and Olivia Witcher, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.
Props
- Crew Head & Designer: Anna Darr, a sophomore musical theatre major from Alexander, Ark.
- Crew Members: Sarah Engebrecht, a sophomore graphic design major from Morrilton, Ark.; Nadalie Gill, a sophomore theatre arts major from Price, Texas; Bethany Gere, a senior musical theatre and communication sciences and disorders double major from White Hall, Ark.; and Michael Peré, a junior musical theatre major from Roland, Ark.;
Scenery
- Scenery Designer & Technical Director: Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts and chair of OBU’s Department of Theatre Arts
- Construction Crew: shop workers led by Marshall Pope, theatre shop technical director
- Shifting/Run Crew Members: Walter Dodd, a senior theatre arts major from Little Rock, Ark.; Moeke Fujita, a freshman from Fukuoka, Japan; and Dallas Sleeman, a junior theatre arts major from Kentwood, Mich.
Lights
- Designer: Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts and chair of OBU’s Department of Theatre Arts
- Spot Light Operator & Crew Member: Hannah Saunders, a freshman musical theatre major from St. Paul, Ark.
Sound
- Designer/Mic Operator/Sound Board Operator: Stephen Vaughn, interim technical director for Jones Performing Arts Center
Lobby
- Crew Head: Caroline Cain, a senior theatre arts and mass communications double major from Boise, Idaho, assisted by Adam Wheat, OBU fine arts administrator
- Crew Members: Elizabeth Lawson, a freshman theatre arts major from Monticello, Ark., and Kathleen Suit, a senior theatre arts major from Hot Springs, Ark.
Front of House
- House Manager: Riley Madlock, a junior mass communications major from Hope, Ark.
- Ushers: Caroline Cain, a senior theatre arts and mass communications double major from Boise, Idaho, and Elizabeth Lawson, a freshman theatre arts major from Monticello, Ark.
Publicity
