JACKSON – There will be plenty of high stepping and popular songs heard when students of Jackson Liberty High School present “Footloose: The Musical” on February 20-22.
This is the 14th production of the AtLib Players’. Drama teacher and AtLib Players’ adviser Nicole M. Mathias said “there are 85 students in the company, representing grades 9-12 at JLHS and a few McAuliffe Middle School musicians.”
In addition, some alumni AtLib Players have returned to work on the show. They include Music Director Kylie Weaver; bass player Jared Burnett, and choreographer Megan Durham.
Mathias said the role of Ren McCormack is played by Luke Mannikus, a senior who has been on Broadway (in Matilda) and also on a professional tour.
“Senior student Elaina Cainzos will portray the role of Ariel Moore. Elaina has been a leading player at McAuliffe, BCCT, and PAA, where she attended until transferring to JLHS for her junior year,” Mathias said.
While other seniors include Mason Silvan (Willard) and Elijah Teopaco (Cowboy Bob), several underclassmen have earned major roles in the cast.
Allison Rosofsky (Rusty, grade 11), Colin Vallaster (Rev. Moore, grade 10), Dinah Van Name (Vi Moore, grade 9), Ryan Dean (Chuck, grade 11), Alysa Cainzos (Urleen, grade 9), Illyana Rosado (Wendy Jo, grade 9), Emma Seidel (Lucille, grade 9 ), and Carolyn Malmstrom (Ethel, grade 11).
Mathias said, “the production team is led by teachers, but the AtLib program has always aimed to focus on student performance, both onstage and behind the scenes. The production stage manager is sophomore Rebecca Sadowski; the backstage crew managers are junior, Kat Sadowski and senior Sean Van Wickle.”
Mannikus said, “being in Footloose has been such a highlight of my senior year and high school career. It gave me a place to be myself, spend time with my friends, and do my passion. As we are nearing opening night, I am sad that it is almost over.
“One thing the audience will definitely love is the appeal to real life situations and stories, that allow audiences to establish an emotional attachment to the characters,” Mannikus added.
Rosofsky is also the club’s co-president and said of the production, “It has been an honor working with this hardworking and determined company.” She added that among the many things the audience will love about the show is “the shy, loving, and comedic relationship between Rusty and Willard.”
Senior Sean Van Wickle, the co-president/Stage manager said, “being a part of the Footloose company has been an amazing experience. I have made a bunch of new friends and became closer with longtime friends.
“Every single person has so much energy that it never makes rehearsal feel long or boring. It may be that in a senior or maybe it’s the fact that I have more friends in the Drama Club than any other year, but this year has been nonstop fun and I’m going to miss it.”
Junior Katherine Sadowsky held the position of co-stage manager, designer, and secretary on the E-Board and said that being part of Footloose “has been one of the most enjoyable companies to be a part of. I’ve tried to work as effectively as possible while incorporating fun into every day we worked on the sets.
“I hope we’ve made Mrs. Mathias and our whole staff proud with our work. I am always excited to go to crew, whether it is 8 a.m. or 9 p.m. the environment we have created is one that is high energy and a close-knit group of students that have created something great,” Sadowsky said.
Senior Mason Silvan who plays Willard Hewit said, “I hope that the audience will enjoy the collection of all aspects of our show. The cast is amazing, and the sets and lighting complement them well. I believe that the audience will love the energy and the chemistry between the characters. The songs and dances are so fun for any age.”
The show kicks off on Feb. 20 and continues on Feb. 21 with two evening performances. On Saturday, Feb. 22, two shows will be presented. The first is at 1 p.m. and an evening show at 6:30 p.m. Door ticket prices are $15 for students and senior citizens. The adult admission price is $18.
The plot follows that of the smash 1984 film that starred actor Kevin Bacon in the lead role. Ren McCormack, a teenager raised in Chicago, moves to the fictional small town of Bomont, Utah, to live with his aunt and uncle. He quickly befriends Willard Hewitt, and from him learns the city council has banned dancing and rock music.
