Spring is a time of beauty, growth, and for some relaxation. However, at T.C. Williams High School the students say it's the busiest time of the year.
Soccer begins, the crew team is visible on the Potomac River any minute that school is not in session, and seniors are running home to check their mail for an acceptance letter to the college of their dreams. One other activity is also coming under way, the spring musical. January rolled around with students singing in hallways and practicing dance routines, and approximately 40 students were cast. This year's decision for the spring show is the nouveau-retro rock and roll musical, "Footloose," directed by senior Rebecca Lloyd.
Anyone who lived in the '80s remembers Kevin Bacon shaking all that he had in the high school rock and roll film, "Footloose." Due to the film's mass following, catchy tunes, and high-spirited characters the '80s smash hit by Dean Pitchford became a '90s Broadway musical extravaganza.
The show features original music by Tom Snow/Dean Pitchford and other music by Sammy Hagar, Eric Carmen, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman. Such hits include "Let's Hear It For the Boy," "Holding Out For A Hero," "Almost Paradise," and the title song, "Footloose."
The show begins with high energy in Chicago, Ill., where the vibrant 18-year-old Ren McCormack (Terrance Polite) is singing and dancing to the title song, "Footloose." Ren and his mother are in the midst of reluctantly moving from the bustling metropolis to the fictional, hillbilly county of Bomont. The two are forced to leave their city home because Ren's father has just left his mother and without Mr. McCormack they are unable to continue living their Chicago lifestyle. However, once they reach Bomont, Ren is bombarded with the surprise that dancing, his life's passion, is illegal anywhere within city limits. Immediately Ren is the subject of ridicule and town troublemaker because he sets out to rid Bomont of this preposterous law.
The show's antagonist is the Rev. Shaw Moore (Kenneth Hilary), the man responsible for prohibiting dance. His daughter Ariel (Alison Lehner) is the classic church girl turned bad, or at least that is how she is seen in her father's eyes. Vi Moore (Kate Weber), the Reverend's wife, is the voice of reason in this small chaotic town. The show follows Ren, his buddy Willard (Aly Johnson), Ariel and all the other kids of Bomont as they frantically attempt to return some normalcy to the town and show the Rev. Shaw Moore that dance is not the cause of pain and heartache, yet rather an outlet of expression.
Expected highlights of the show include Terrance Polite's elastic, energetic dancing and melodic voice, Alison Lehner's sweet yet saucy performance, Kenneth Hilary's powerful stature, the strong complementary voices of Lauren Ellis (Rusty), Amy Tuttle (Wendy Jo), and Tamika Robinson (Urleen), the always comedic timing of Aly Johnson, and the brilliancy of the dancers, singers, cast and crew. The cast's already apparent energy and dedication will surely have the audience out of their seats and dancing in the aisles.
The show is scheduled to play at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street on Thursday May 8 through Sunday May 11. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday's shows begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday's matinee begins at 2 p.m.