FOOTLOOSE DANCES INTO ROCKDALE

The Regals Musical Society celebrate their return to Rockdale Town Hall with Footloose, the classic tale of teenage repression, rebellion and victory made famous in the hit 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, in their production of the stage musical version of Footloose.

With a combination of fast-paced dancing and toe tapping, boot scootin' hits such as the title track "Footloose” and “Let’s Hear It For The Boy”, the 35+ strong cast with their big hair, big shoulder pads and high waist jeans, The Regals promise touching and dramatic performances that stay true to the themes of tragedy, repression and celebration.

With its Oscar-nominated score (the 1984 film soundtrack album has sold over 15 million copies world-wide) Footloose now bursts onto the stage on May 16th, 2014 at the newly refurbished Rockdale Town Hall.

THE STORY

When teenager Ren McCormack and his mother, Ethel, move from big-city Chicago to Bomont, a small Midwestern American farming town, he's in for a culture shock. Although he tries hard to fit in, the streetwise Ren can't quite believe this small country town not only forbids rock music and dancing, it is also illegal!

Ariel Moore, a lovely but rebellious blonde, and she captures Ren’s eye instantly. Yet she’s caught in a destructive relationship with her hot headed boyfriend, Chuck, who tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, temporarily succeeding by having many of the locals believe the worst about the new kid. Ariel’s father, Shaw, is Bomont’s devout minister, who is responsible for keeping the town dance-free in his well-intended but zealous response to a car accident that devastated the entire town five years earlier, tragically taking the lives of several of the town youths, including his own son.

In the midst of dealing with the backlash of the entire town, Ren finally reaches out to his classmates, reminding them of the joys of life and dance. Wanting to do away with the oppressive ordinance forced upon them, only Ren has the courage to initiate a battle to abolish the outmoded ban and revitalise the spirit of the repressed townspeople.

With the support of Ariel, and his friends, and after helping Reverend Shaw to come to terms with his deep feelings of loss, Ren succeeds, so that for the first time in years the young people of Bomont are able to dance freely.

A school dance is planned and as the entire town comes together, the evening becomes not only a celebration, but an ecstatic expression of healing. There was a time to mourn, and they dared to live again. Now is the time to dance and now is the time to cut loose, FOOTLOOSE!
Sam Larielle in role of Ren, is supported by Jamie Raabe (Ariel), Peter Sharratt (Shaw), Susie Hoggard (Ethel), Ryan Connell (Willard), Charisse Graber (Rusty), Stacey Wilson (Vi), and James Swain (Chuck). Footloose is directed by Julian Batchelor; with musical direction by Julie Ryan and choreography from Tracey Rasmussen.

DATES
Friday 16th May, 8pm
Saturday 17th, 8pm
Sunday 18th , 2pm
Friday 23rd, 8pm
Saturday 24th, 2pm and 8pm

TICKETS:
$35 / $30 Concession
$30 Group of 15+
www.theregals.com.au

YOU CAN WIN!

Join The Regals at any performance and if you’re in your best 80’s get up you enter the draw to win a double pass to The Regals Musical Society’s next production The Producers, being staged at Rockdale Town Hall in October 2014.

Footloose will also be touring to Cessnock, Hunter Valley, for two performances on Saturday 14th June at 2pm and 8pm. Bookings.

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