Video and photos by videographer Lauren Moran
FOOTLOOSE the Broadway Musical that features music and lyrics by Tom Snow, Dean Pitchford and Kenny Loggins, is coming to Montville Township High School on February 29 and March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a matinee on Sunday, March 3 at 2:00 p.m.
Produced by the acclaimed Montville Township High School Theatre Company, FOOTLOOSE is about dancing, community and family. A toe-tapping musical, FOOTLOOSE will have audiences dancing in their seats.
FOOTLOOSE is the story of a teenage boy named Ren McCormack. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father’s longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.
Senior Joseph Amoroso will play Ren McCormack, the new kid who arrives mid-school-year in a small town.
“We dance,” Amoroso said when asked about FOOTLOOSE. “It is a show about dance. But, it goes way deeper than that. It is also about loss, and family, and healing. This is a GREAT show. People will want to dance along. It’s so much fun.”
This is Amoroso’s fourth leading performance in an MTHS Theatre Company spring musical since his freshman year. Last year he performed the leading role of Joseph in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.”
Junior Grace Hricay is making her leading role debut, as Ariel Moore, the daughter of the local preacher.
“This musical has so much depth,” Hricay said of FOOTLOOSE. “The music is great. This cast is great. FOOTLOOSE is so much fun,”
A short video of production highlights can be viewed on the Montville Township Public Schools YouTube Channel.
For FOOTLOOSE, veteran Director and MTHS Theatre Company Advisor, Scott Baird will once again lead the ensemble cast and creative team for this magical musical production. Nearly 40 students, in grades nine through twelve, will perform in FOOTLOOSE.
The MTHS Cast (in order of appearance) includes: Joseph Amoroso, Milena Sky Dorta, Ryan Cortes, Giuliana Panico, Grace Hricay, Meghana Neelisetty, Marlon Soeiro Jr., Danylo Kondryshyn, Giovanna Wallenburg, Mia Grillo, Natalia Fragomeni, Nicole Londono, Max Iaci, Anthony DiBenedetto, Alex Tarnok, Joshua Bienskie-Jackson, William Spellman, Evelyn Susnosky, Philo Megala, Logan Lewis, Frank Wilkisson, and Lily Fazio.
Dancers Ensemble includes: Julia Aydemir, Sophia Billings, Brianna D’Aversa, Anthony DiBenedetto, Jovana Getova, Abby Lee, Logan Lewis, Jayden Longobardi, Philo Megala, Ava Piwowarski, Karolina Sudol, Alex Tarnok, Vivan Wei and Frank Wilkisson.
The Adult Ensemble includes: Raina Alleyne, Sophia Althea Castillo, Lily Fazio, Jorge “JJ” Heras, Danylo Kondryshyn, Meghana Neelisetty, Maria Rothchild, Meriam Samaan, Elissa Schwartz, Devyani Sharma, Luhara Soeiro, Marlon Soeiro Jr., William Spellman, Christina Suppa, Evelyn Susnosky and Giovanna Wallenburg.
The Production Staff includes: Director: Scott Baird, Vocal Director: Ted Cherney, Choreographer: Lauren Moran Mills and Leala Mills, Music Director: Andrew Havington, Lighting Designer: Kevin Ohlweiler, Costume Designer: Maryanne Hannon, Set Designer: Brandon Frumolt, MTC Business Manager: Kelly Smith, Stage Crew Advisor: Arianna Majorczak, Student Stage Managers: Kate Justnes, Matthew Kraut and Nicole Longobardi, and Production Stage Manager Pamela Wilczynski.
Performances will be held at Montville Township High School, in the Dr. Robert O. Stafford Auditorium, 100 Horseneck Road in Montville, New Jersey. MTHS is one of seven schools in the Montville Township Public Schools district.
The Montville Township High School Theatre Company will perform FOOTLOOSE at MTHS on Thursday, February 29, and Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2, at 7:30 p.m. A Sunday, March 3, matinee will be also performed at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets purchased on-line are $15 for Adults and $12 for Students and Senior Citizens. On-line tickets can be purchased at: http://mthsnj.booktix.com/ . Tickets are General Admission and may also be purchased at-the-door at the price of $18 for Adults and $15 for Students and Senior Citizens.