Directed for the first time by Daisy
Spencer, the 17th annual Young Performers Production for this year
is a reprise of Footloose which
comes to the UKZN Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 8 – 17 September 2017.
Footloose tells 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. The cast of 25 were chosen at auditions – including learners
travelling from the Skhethuxolo High School in Hammarsdale. Rehearsals are in full swing, with the cast
meeting every weekend until the opening night. The project promotes discipline, develops
confidence, and gives an opportunity to make life-long friendships, and to
learn a huge amount from the professionals.
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.
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 please call Riaan
Timson on 082 696 3507
Venue: Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre UKZN
Dates: 8 – 17 Sept 2017.
Times: Tues – Sat 7pm; Sat and Sun at
2.30pm
Tickets: R100 (Tue – Wed) & R150 full
price R130 OAP and scholars (Thur – Sun)
Schedule:
Friday 08 Sept @ 7pm R75
(low-priced preview)
Sat 09 Sept @ 2.30pm R150 (concession
price R130)
Sat 09 Sept @ 7pm R150 (concession
price R130) OFFICIAL OPENING NIGHT
Sun 10 Sept @ 2.30pm R150 (R130
concession price)
Tues 12 Sept @ 7pm R100
Wed 13 Set @ 7pm R100
Thurs 14 Sept @ 7pm R150 (R130 concession
price)
Frid 15 Sept @ 7pm R150 (R130 concession
price)
Sat 16 Sept @ 2.30pm R150 (R130 concession
price)
Sat 16 Sept @ 7pm R150 (R130
concession price)
Sun 17 Sept @ 2.30pm R150 (R130 concession
price)
General admission: R150, with a discount
price of R130 for students, scholars and pensioners. Low priced preview R75, and Tues and Wed shows will sell at R100 throughout.
Win Tickets To The Show
The producers have given us tickets just for you. We have 3 double tickets for the show on Tuesday 12 September 2017 at 7pm.
Simply email umhlangalife@gmail.com with your name, contact details, email and the answer to this easy question:
Which famous actor was in the original film version of Footlose?
1. Kevin Macon
2. Kevin Bacon
3. Kevin Acorn
Competition could close at any time. Ts and Cs apply.
This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton
