8 - 17 Sep 2017
Musical

Directed for the first time by Daisy Spencer, the 17th annual Young Performers Production for this year is a reprise of Footloose; the story of a tenacious and rebellious city teenager, Ren (played by Joshua Milne), who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned by the conservative Rev Shaw Moore (played by Arnie Field) and his wife (Sarah Heron) and the town council. Ren leads the young people of the town, including Rev Moore’s rebellious daughter Ariel (Leah Mari), in a protest against the town’s banning of the annual dance.

The stage adaptation of Footloose is by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford with music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford and additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Logins and Jim Steinman.

Footloose has had two incarnations as a feature film: in 1984 a youthful Kevin Bacon was Ren playing against John Lithgow’s Rev Shaw Moore. Also in the cast were Lori Singer, Sarah Jessica Parker and Diane Wiest. The film was remade in 2011 and featured Kenny Wormald as Ren and Dennis Quaid as the Reverend. Also in the remake were Julianne Hough and Andie MacDowell.

Footloose, the Musical was adapted for the stage from the film, and premiered in 1998 and became a Broadway and West End hit. It has been staged successfully globally since then. Footloose boasts some now-iconic musical numbers:  the theme song, Footloose,  which became a hit for Kenny Loggins; Holding out for a Hero, which was recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler for the first film; and Let’s Hear it for the Boy which became a number one song for singer Denise Williams. Other songs from the musical include On Any Sunday; The Girl Gets Around, Somebody’s Eyes, Heaven Help me and Learning to be Silent.

The 2017 Young Performers Project sees Daisy Spencer as both the director and choreographer working together with co-choreographer Jarryd Watson and Des Govender as vocal coach, Dawn Selby is MD, with live music from The Reals. Production supervisor is Themi Venturas.

“We are delighted to be reviving such a topical story as Footloose,” say Venturas. “When it was staged in 2014 we had a short run, and many performances were sold out, and we had a sense that people wanted more – so we are doing it again – staging it in a slightly different more contemporary way with the addition of Jarryd’s new choreographic ideas, new leads and a mostly new cast,” said Venturas.

The project ensures that the learners get a taste of working in the professional musical theatre arena, learning from professionals in the industry, and promoting discipline, developing confidence and the opportunity of creating life-long friendships. The cast of 25 were chosen at auditions – including learners travelling from the Skhethuxolo High School in Hammarsdale.  The producers are grateful to RCL Foods through their Do More Foundation, Black Coffee, Snazzi Events and UKZN’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.  Previous YPP productions have been: Curtain Up;  One Voice; Grease; Oliver; Fiddler on the Roof; The Wiz; Annie; School of Rock, SA; Big River; Hairspray; Seussical; Legally Blonde, Can You Feel It?; Footloose; Soldiers in the City and last year, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story.

Footloose runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on the UKZN Howard College Campus from 8 – 17 September. There is a low-price preview on Friday 8 August (R75). Shows are Tuesday to Saturday at 7pm and Sat and Sun at 2.30pm.  Over the years the show has grown to be very popular with Durban audiences so early booking is recommended. Booking is through Computicket outlets at Shoprite Checkers, by phone on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com.  Footloose the Musical is presented by arrangement with DALRO.  For further enquiries regarding block bookings please call Riaan Timson on 082 696 3507.

Tues – Sat 7pm; Sat and Sun at 2.30pm
Tickets:  Preview Frid 8 Sept  R75

R100 (Tue – Wed)

R150 (Thurs to Sun) full price and R130 for pensioners, students and scholars.

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