Local students in Indian Hills production of Footloose

Put on your dancing shoes and head to St. John Auditorium at Indian Hills Community College for Footloose, Thursday, April 24, Friday, April 25, Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m. The directors encourage you to reservation your free seats early at https://events.hometownticketing.com/organization/3096ed2c-896c-425d-960b-3ec61ad0a4d9.

Based on the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon, this 1998 musical drama was adapted by Dean Pitchford (who wrote the original screenplay) and Walter Bobbie, and features lyrics by Tom Snow, music by Pitchford, and additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman.

Director Dr. Jennifer Boyenga says, “Footloose is just an all-around fun 80s musical based on the popular movie.”

The play focuses on the conflict between the new kid in a small-town Ren McCormack, played by Diego Solorio of Irvine, CA, and the local charismatic preacher Shaw Moore, played by Demitrius Mitchell of Harvey, IL, who has led the town to ban dancing of any kind after a tragic accident killed four teenagers. Moore’s daughter, Ariel, played by Bella Earnest of Hedrick, is rebelling against her father and becomes the romantic interest of Ren, despite her relationship with abusive boyfriend Chuck Cranston, played by Trenton Patton of Burlington. Ren befriends a local teen Willard Hewitt, played by Ben Guise of Packwood, who helps guide him to become a leader among his schoolmates and community.

Other teenagers in the community are Rusty played by Sydney Meierotto of Bonaparte, Urleen played by Rashaun Boyer of Albia, Wendy Jo played by Reese Bradford of Ottumwa, Travis played by Prestin Puckett of Kirksville, MO, and Jeter played by Kolbe Workman of Albia.

Ren’s mother Ethel McCormack, played by Samantha Zuel of Chariton, finds herself torn between her son and the rest of the small community to which they have moved from Chicago, including Ren’s Uncle Wes Warnicker, played by Dylan Baldwin of Ottumwa, and Aunt Lulu Warnicker, played by Lizzie Hootman of Fairfield. Other adult members of Rev. Shaw’s congregation include his wife Vi Moore, played by Grace Haring of Cambria, Coach Roger Dunbar, played by Khain Thiessen of Marengo, Eleanor Dunbar, played by Kass Hicke of Burlington, and Principal Harriett Clark played by Kati Williams of Ottumwa. The cast is rounded out by Betty Blast, the roller-skating owner of the local burger joint where Ren works, played by Hannah Bridgman of Bloomfield, and a no-nonsense cop, played by Elexis Perry of Bloomfield.

The band is directed by Indian Hills Instrumental Music Professor David Sharp, who also plays saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards. Other band members include Professor of Vocal Music and Piano Dr. Janene Sheldon on keyboards, adjunct professors Tom Shadonix on and Sean Six on guitar, alumnus Hailey Parrish on keyboard bass, and current student Tyler Allison of Ottumwa on drums.

“There’s some challenging choreography in this show,” says Dr. Janene Sheldon, Footloose choreographer, “but the students have worked hard to learn it, and they look great!”

According to Technical Director, Dr. Ray Slavens, “This group of students has been incredible in quickly setting up the stage for this show. I’m very proud of them.”

The technical Crew for Footloose includes Assistant Director TJ Lada of Marshalltown (also in the ensemble), Assistant Technical Director Trent Patton of Burlington, Stage Manager River Hibma of Pleasantville, light board operator Callie Wollinger of Waupun, WI, sound board operator Ashlynn Hamilton of Centerville, and backstage crew members Marc Jan M. Danas of Stockport, Shyanne Fleming of Central City, Andi Marshall of Muscatine, Jaslynne Sturtz of Albia, and Erin Wilson of Indianola.