Footloose

Imagine a town where dancing is illegal, teenagers can’t listen to music, and almost everything fun is prohibited.
The kids can’t take it any more.
Well, starting tonight at the Townshend Theatre, they’re going to cut loose in Fort Frances High School’s production of “Footloose.” It runs until Saturday, with the curtain going up at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets, which cost $10 for adults and $7 for students, can be purchased at Northwoods Gallery and Gifts, Fairway Store in Emo, and at the theatre box office.
“We’re delighted to get this production. It’s just become available for amateur groups to perform,” said Val Martindale, stage director for the production.
“We’re excited. It’s a fun show with a lot of really great dancing, but it has a serious message to it,” she added.
The story of Ren, a teenager from Chicago who moves to a small town with his single mother, has the same appeal to many of the high school students involved as “Grease.”
Ren moves to a town where dancing is illegal following a tragic accident there years before. Unwilling to abide by what he sees as a foolish law, he fights for the right to have a school dance with the local minister and school council.
“At the end, he manages to show that dancing is an expression of joy and life,” Martindale explained.
The musical—based on the ’80s movie starring Kevin Bacon—is filled with upbeat, energizing music and carefully choreographed dance sequences.
“We have had so much fun, the music is so energizing,” Martin-dale said during a rehearsal.
“It’s really good. I’m especially impressed with the guys’ willingness to learn and have fun,” said choreographer Sherree Martin.
“We’ve had more guys out to this production than ever before,” added Martindale. “They’ve been having a ball with the dance stuff and I’m very impressed that the kids would work so hard.”