Gallery: Albert Lea High School students perform ‘Footloose’ musical
Published 11:40 am Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Rusty, played by Krystal Thompson, Ariel, played by Rika Boorsma, Wendy Jo, played by Hanna DeVries, and Urleen, played by Emma Behling, sing “Holding Out for a Hero,” during a rehearsal at Albert Lea High School on Tuesday. –Brandi Hagen/Albert Lea Tribune
It’s time to cut loose and kick off those Sunday shoes. Albert Lea High School’s fall musical, “Footloose,” opens Thursday.
Directed by Molly Grimmius and Diane Heaney, the show features about 50 students on the stage, in the pit and in the tech booth.
Grimmius chose the show because it offers many roles and thought it had a lot of draw.
“I loved the music and think it will appeal to the student body along with anyone who loved the movie in the ’80s,” said six-year director Grimmius.
The play, based off of the 1984 movie, is a story of a teenager named Ren McCormack, who moves from a big city to the small town of Beaumont and wants to have a dance. He runs into a problem, though, because the town has a law against dancing because of a tragic car accident in the past. Ren stirs up the town going head to head with the local minister and father of his love interest, Ariel.
Grimmius described the set, designed by John Fure, as being modern and painted black with lots of space and platforms for dancing. Lighting effects will add color to the simple set.
Choreographer Kaitlin Stein of Austin, a University of Minnesota graduate, was brought in to help the students with dancing.
Ren will be played by Preston Smith and Ariel will be played by Rika Boorsma.
The town’s pastor, Shaw, will be played by Zane Aumick.
“He just moved here last year so this is his first performance,” Grimmius said. “We’re glad to have him.”
The comic relief, Grimmius said, will come from the character Willard, played by Tyler Vandenheuvel.
“He sings a humorous song with a bunch of his friends that will probably be a highlight for a lot of people,” Grimmius said.
In the pit, there will be bass and electric guitars, drums and keyboard along with flutes and a saxophone.
“It’s kind of a rockin’ show,” Grimmius said.
Unlike some plays, finding costumes was a pretty easy task.
“A lot of the ’80s trends have come back or I told the kids to go ask their parents,” Grimmius said.
Grimmius said the show, while not inappropriate, is recommended for children 12 and older because of the high school setting.
“Live musicals are so much fun to attend as a family and offer such a different experience instead of a movie, so I hope the community can come out and support it,” Grimmius said.
The shows are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the high school auditorium.
-
- Rusty, played by Krystal Thompson, Ariel, played by Rika Boorsma, Wendy Jo, played by Hanna DeVries, and Urleen, played by Emma Behling, sing “Holding Out for a Hero,” during a rehearsal at Albert Lea High School on Tuesday. –Brandi Hagen/Albert Lea Tribune
-
- Josh Englin jumps rope during a scene in the Bomont Gym while singing “I’m Free.”
-
- Cowgirl Betty played by Anna Englin sings “Still Rockin'” in the second act of “Footloose.”
-
- Katelyn Hendrickson, Krystal Thompson, Quinn Andersen and Anna Englin sing “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” during the second act of a “Footloose” rehearsal at Albert Lea High School on Tuesday.
-
- Coach, played by Logan Petersen, makes his gym class do pushups after Ren mouths off.
-
- Tyler Vandenheuvel, Willard, incorrectly spells out the word “trouble” to Preston Smith, Ren, while the two talk about Ariel in the first act.
-
- The bridge club plays cards at the Rev. Shaw’s home. From left are students Claire Ellis, Logan Petersen, Solveig Lange, Matt Bera and Zane Aumick.
Tickets, please
What: Albert Lea High School’s fall musical “Footloose”
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Where: Albert Lea High School auditorium
How much: Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for adults and can be purchased at the door.
Cast
Ren: Preston Smith
Ariel: Rika Boorsma
Shaw: Zane Aumick
Ethel: Isabel Ehrhardt
Vi: Solveig Lange
Chuck: Tanner Shaft
Rusty: Krystal Thompson
Willard: Tyler Vandenheuvel
Urleen: Emma Behling
Wendy Jo: Hanna DeVries
Garvin: Josh Englin
Jeter/Cowboy: Connor Larson
Cowgirl Betty: Anna Englin
Bickle: Schafer Overgaard
Lyle: Sam Ehrhardt
Travis: Travis Nemec
Lulu: Kallie Drescher
Wes: Jacob Jensen
Coach: Logan Petersen
Eleanor: Claire Ellis
Betty: Julia Otten
Principal: Matt Bera
Teens: Rickon Peterson, Ryan Nelson, Brayden Boettcher, Emily Ortiz, Katelyn Hendrickson, Carissa Fitzlaff, Danielle Quinn, Bailey Ford, Quinn Andersen, Tori Helgeson, Skyler Hanson, Anna Waltman, Taylor Martinez, Tianna Abrego and Heather Wirkus
Adults: Lawrence Pederson, Jeremy Sekora, Sam Ellis, Aaron Zogg, Syne Barr, Hannah Kingstrom, Savannah Simpson, Sara Sanderson and Natalie Weiland
Plus several singers and dancers.
