'Footloose' begins playhouse's 47th season

Ren McCormick, played by Matt Willard, (right), acts out a scene with Willard, played by Brian DeVore, during the Putnam County Playhouse's performance of "Footloose." Showings begin today and continue next weekend.

A hit 1980s movie will come to life on the Putnam County Playhouse stage this weekend.

"Footloose" is the first outing for the 47th season at the theater. Lita Sandy is the director.

"We're very excited about opening," said Sandy. "We have a lot of new actors and actresses in the cast."

The action in "Footloose" centers on new kid Ren McCormick's campaign to have a law against dancing abolished in the tiny, devoutly Christian town of Bomont. The musical ran on Broadway for a short time, and those who saw the movie will recognize many of the songs in the stage version.

The extensive cast and crew have been in rehearsals for six weeks, and there have been some obstacles -- the woman who was to play the roller skating waitress broke her wrist, and another cast member withdrew at the last minute.

"I'm not freaking out," Sandy said. "It's going to be fine."

Matt Willard and Brittany Brumfield are playing the lead roles of Ren and Ariel Moore.

Other lead cast members include Julie Watson as Ren's mother Ethel; Ric McFadden and Tammy Hunter as Ariel's parents the Rev. and Mrs. Moore; Brian DeVore as Willard; Clay Spencer as Bickle; Alex Asbel as Garvin; Cy Spencer as Jeter; Haley Rutter as Rusty; Mary Michael as Urleen and Julie Cox as Wendy Jo.

The cast also includes William Dory, Aaron Hunter, Orion Ortiz, Josh Bain, Lori Cox, Brad Sandy, Shelly McFadden, Bryan Schroeder, Laura Gibbs and Kim Brattain.

The large ensemble is comprised of Jessica and Matthew Watson, Hope Strong, Steven Turner, Michael Walters, Justin, Noah and Brian Cox, Elijah and Hannah Brattain, Lucia Povinelli, Alix Green, Hayley Steadmon, Hope Scanlon, Lauren Good, Katie Hedge, Sarah Dory, Lily Spencer, Hannah Homler, Taylor Strong, Addison Hughes, Nathan Grzesiek, Nicollette Peters, Madison Woodall, Kristen Rumple, Taylor Gannaway, Roxanne Wheeler, Jodi Buis and Kristen and Mary Bousman.

Lita Sandy and Tara Gardner choreographed the production, while Kathryn Dory is the music director. Musicians in the put are Marilyn Burdsall, piano; Michael McClaine, percussion; Chris Humphries, guitar and Drew Brattain, bass.

Backstage crew includes stage manager and lighting designer Bryan Schroeder; Jessica Bessell running the light board; and sound engineers Brenda and Sarah McClaine. Brad Sandy and Shelly McFadden did set design.

The show will run today through Sunday and June 11-14. Curtain times for all shows will be 8 p.m. except for Sunday, which will be a 3 p.m. matinee.

Corporate sponsor for the show is Duke Energy.

All tickets are $9 and can be reserved by calling 653-5880.