Preview of 'Footloose' at Musicals at Richter

Danbury’s Musicals at Richter Season Continues with

Footloose

July 1-16
Danbury, Conn. -- Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 32nd season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, continues its mainstage offerings with the blockbuster dance musical “Footloose,” playing July 1-16. Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center in Danbury, performances take place outdoors under the stars Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:30 p.m., with additional specially discounted performances on Thursday, July 7 and 14.

Based on the phenomenally popular 1984 movie of the same name starring Kevin Bacon, “Footloose” follows the struggles of transplanted Chicago teen Ren McCormack as he tries to adapt to life in a small Midwestern town. Singled out as the newcomer at school, Ren finds himself at odds with the town’s laws against dancing, put into place by a conservative local minister following a tragic car accident many years before that claimed the lives of four young people. Ren is emboldened to fight the ban when he falls in love with the minister’s daughter, Ariel, and successfully rallies the town’s youth to take action. As the musical unfolds, it captures the spirit of youthful exuberance, romance and rebellion through exhilarating choreography and a toe-tapping score.

With music by Tom Snow (among others), lyrics by Dean Pitchford (additional lyrics by Kenny Loggins) and a book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, “Footloose” arrived on Broadway in 1998 where it ran for 709 performances and was nominated for four Tony Awards. The musical’s infectious pop score, based on the original film’s multimillion-selling soundtrack, features many familiar Top 40 hits, including “Almost Paradise,” “Somebody’s Eyes,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Still Rockin’,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” and, of course, the title song.

Erick Sánchez (Stamford) makes his MAR debut in the leading role of Ren McCormack. A recent graduate of Louisiana State University with a master’s degree in music/vocal performance, Sánchez last appeared locally as Bobby in “Company” at The Brookfield Theater for the Arts. Sydney Coelho (Danbury) portrays Ren’s love interest, Ariel. A rising senior at Hofstra University, Coelho received critical acclaim as Natalie in “Next to Normal,” also at The Brookfield Theater for the Arts.
Thomas Ovitt (New Milford) plays Willard Hewitt, Ren’s sidekick, and Connor Spain (Bethel) takes on the role of Chuck Cranston, Ariel’s jealous, soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend.

Appearing as Ariel’s friends Rusty, Urleen and Wendy Jo are Jessica Schwartz (Brookfield), Carolyn Savoia (Ridgefield) and Bryelle Burgus (Putnam Valley, NY).

Ted Schwartz (Brookfield) and Priscilla Squiers (Danbury) portray Ariel’s parents, Reverend Shaw Moore and his dutiful wife, Vi. Alysia Ross (Danbury) is featured as Eleanor McCormack, Ren’s mother; Carolyn and Kevin McCarthy (Brewster, NY) play Ren’s aunt and uncle, Wes and Lulu Warnacker.

John Armstrong (Newtown) is featured as Coach Roger Dunbar and Denise Milmerstadt (Carmel, NY) portrays his wife Eleanor. Jack Moreno (Newtown) takes on the role of the high school principal Harry Clark, and Barbara Kessler (Danbury) is Betty Blast, the owner of the local burger joint. Will Armstrong (Greenwich) is Cowboy Bob, the bandleader at a dance club outside the Bomont city limits.

Completing the dynamic ensemble cast are: Jeremy Demelo and Jillian Fredette (Brookfield); Sarah Baker, Caitlin Burke, Noah Matson, Matt Olencki, Brailyn Rodriguez and Ismael Santana (Danbury); Shannon Gaffney and Sara Parille (New Fairfield); Jack Armstrong, Brenna Calderara and Jacob Schultz (Newtown); and Faith Fernandes (Stratford).

“Footloose” is directed and choreographed by New Fairfield native and MAR alumnus Matthew Farina (Danbury). An elementary educator in Redding, Farina has directed and choreographed numerous area productions, including “Oklahoma!” this past spring at Immaculate High School and “Hairspray” last summer at MAR.

The “Footloose” creative team also includes Jesse Ofgang (Kent) as musical director, Jennie Lozier (New Milford) as producer, and Katie Girardot (New Milford) as stage manager.

The main stage season continues with the perennial family favorite “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (July 22- August 6). For complete details on Musicals at Richter’s season, daytime Fairy Tale Theater for children and young people’s musical theater workshop offerings, visit www.musicalsatrichter.org.
Main stage musical performances are Friday through Sunday evenings at the Richter Arts Center (next to the Richter Park Golf Course, I-84, Exit 2), 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury.

Tickets for “Footloose” are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students (with ID), and $10 for children 10 and under. For the additional Thursday performances on July 7 and 14, tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $5 for children 10 and under. Tickets may be purchased through the Musicals at Richter website (www.musicalsatrichter.org) or at the door. Grounds open at 7:15 p.m. for picnicking, with curtain at 8:30 p.m. Group rates are available with advance reservation; chair rentals and soft drink/snack concessions are available on-site.

Pictured: The cast of 'Footloose' Photo courtesy of MAR