It’s a story that we all know, and a song you can never seem to get out of your head. More than 70 students (onstage and behind the scenes) bring the classic “Footloose” story to life at Gorham High School this weekend.
It’s clear the attention to detail that director Joshua Hurd has put into this production. “You can’t stage ‘Footloose’ without paying some respect to the film,” said Hurd. “I think I’ve seen it more than a dozen times in the last few months.”
From Ren McCormack (played by Miles Obrey), wearing his skinny tie and black leather jacket to school, to Willard (played by Connor Donnelly) with his plaid shirt and white cowboy hat, this stage production is filled with tributes to the film.
There are subtle things too that the average audience member might not pick up on, like the t-shirt Chuck Cranston (played by Zack Pierce) wears. It’s a Pink Floyd t-shirt from the album “Dark Side of the Moon,” because in the movie there’s a “Dark Side of the Moon” bumper sticker on Cranston’s truck. “I want the audience to remember how great the movie is while they experience this production,” said Hurd.
The cast and crew of Gorham High School’s drama club have worked hard to bring a fun production of “Footloose” to Gorham. Shows are this weekend only so don’t miss the chance to cut loose and kick off those Sunday shoes.Then, just when the audience thinks the energy coming from the students couldn’t get any stronger, there’s this live band at the back of the stage that just keeps rockin’. “This is the music of my generation,” said musical director Matthew Murray. “The music I love. Kenny Loggins and Sammy Hagar. From the very beginning we wanted the feeling of a rock concert and not just your average musical.”
When the students have the audience totally involved with the show and they want nothing more than to jump on stage and dance along with Ariel and Rusty (played by Jamie Juskiewicz and Shelby Leach) it happens – GHS teachers Amy Smith roller skates and Rocky Myers dances. That’s right – Rocky Myers dances.
Tickets are selling fast and GHS is expecting big crowds. Get over to the high school this weekend and cut-loose with this exciting show. The audience will be on their feet dancing right along with these students (and teachers) to the very end.
To reserve a ticket, call 839-5754. There are five performances this weekend: Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., and two matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale one hour before show time. Seating is general admission to all and the doors open 30 minutes before each show.