St. John Vianney Players Step it Up with Musical 'Footloose'

Dancing is not a crime!  

The students at Holmdel's Saint John Vianney (SJV) High School will prove this in their own way when they take to the stage to perform the fast-paced musical Footloose, a classic story of teenage rebellion, in five performances beginning April 2.

Ren McCormack, the dancing, quick-witted spitfire from Chicago (the Kevin Bacon part in the movie), will be portrayed by SJV's Christian Potterton of Marlboro. Potterton, who will be attending Berklee College of Music in Boston in the fall, has played a variety of roles on and off the stage at SJV.  

Most recently at SJV, he played Lysander in the November production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and served as the musical director for the October production of Godspell.  

Michael Birardi of Old Bridge will portray Rev. Shaw Moore, the Bomont preacher determined to keep dancing out of his town.  Birardi was previously seen as Jesus in the October production of Godspell and keeps busy behind the scenes designing, focusing and programming the lights for all the shows at SJV. He will attend Penn State in the fall as a Technical Theater and Design major.  

Lea Ostner of Matawan will co-star as Ariel Moore; and Alexa Rose Burger of Old Bridge fights to keep her family from falling apart as Vi Moore.  

Joining them in the spotlight are Gennine Damanski of Freehold Township, as Rusty, and Kevin O’Leary of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, as Willard Hewitt.

Seen in supporting roles are: Samantha Delaney of Freehold Township playing Ethel McCormack; Danielle Fallon, of Monroe Township, as Wendy Jo; Kristen Draeger, of Marlboro, as Urleen; Matthew Steuerer, of Aberdeen, as Jeter; Stephen Harnett of Hazlet as Garvin; Brian Medich of Hazlet as Chuck Cranston; TJ Bent, of Middletown, as Travis; and Brianna Liguori, of Middletown, as Lyla.

The cast is rounded out by Laura Donovan, Deirdre Donovan, Jenny Armstrong, Julia Purcell, Brielle Winters, Samantha Barrett, Jenna Frain, Marissa Busso, Alicia McEnearney, Kaitlin Olsen, Shannon Otten, Caileigh Nerney, Isabella Textores,  Katherine Cambareri, Christian Viaje, Owen McCann, Laura Nicoletti, Nicole Horton, Mary Catherine Rocca, Gabriella Klopsis, Danielle Radeke, Victoria Cervone, Amanda Correa, Caitlin Meindl, Alexa Rutigliano and Michael Marchese.

The cast is supported by the orchestra, featuring: Dalton on guitar; faculty member Jeffrey Johnson, of Keyport, on bass; alumna Megan Moran, of Old Bridge, on piano; freshmen Haley Blanchard, of Matawan, on drums, and Andrea Acosta, of Old Bridge, on keyboard; and sophomore Jenna Kirby, of Marlboro, on saxophone.  

They are also supported by a technical crew including sound engineer Nicholas Shevchenko and a stage crew led by Michael Marchese and Fe Reyes.

The show is directed by faculty member Rachel Ryan, of Tinton Falls, who is assisted by Paul and Lori Renick, of Highlands. Faculty member Joseph Dalton, of Forked River, is musical director.

They are assisted by: student directors and seniors Michael Birardi, of Old Bridge, and Christian Potterton, of Marlboro; choreographer Danielle Fallon, a senior from Monroe Township; and assistant choreographer Brielle Winters, a sophomore from Old Bridge.

Footloose

When: Performance dates are April 2, 8, and 9 at 8 p.m.; April 3 and 10 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: Tickets are $10.  Reservations are encouraged but not required and can be made by emailing ryan@sjvhs.com.  

Where: The Theater at Saint John Vianney is located in the High School at 540A Line Road in Holmdel, NJ 07733.  

More Information: Questions can be addressed through email or by calling the school at (732) 739-0800.