Ali Fernad – Managing Editor
Solé Scott – Features Editor
Friday night at Lyman center was packed with university students and families who were attending the opening night of Footloose.
Students performed the classic musical full of pop and rock music. They were costumed in clothes reminiscent of the 1980s with striped shirts, jeans and boots.
“I don’t know if I could pick a single favorite song, but there’s a lot of really good music,” said student Sound Designer Nick Moran.
Some of the popular songs include the title song, “Footloose,” and classic 1980s hit “Holding Out for a Hero.” These songs were full of energetic choreography since the original movie is known for its dancing.
The stage had an orange background with a set built to be utilized as the story takes place in Elmore City, Oklahoma. This is a suburban town, as it follows the main character moving here from Chicago.
“I started doing theater in the fifth grade,” said Gian Melendez, who plays Ren McCormack in Footloose. “I found a passion for it, learning about myself to boost my confidence.”
The play was directed and choreographed by Larry Nye with musical direction by Jill Brunelle. Nye and Brunelle are both faculty members of the Theatre Department.
“I have been doing music for about five or six years. I auditioned and prepped for it for a good amount of time,” said Melendez.
This play had the audience laughing hysterically throughout the duration of the show as Footloose was reinvented in a more modern take.
“I’ve been working on shows since I got here in 2019, so it’s something I’m used to, but it’s a lot of hard work, especially with tech,” Moran said.
The Crescent Players co-presented this play with the university Theater Department. Crescent is a student-run performance organization that produces their own events and projects.
University plays can be a steppingstone to being a professional actor on a stage, which is what some student actors hope for.
“I’m planning on getting my Masters in school counseling because I enjoy working with students and creating an impact on them, but theater acting on film and stage is something I definitely want to pursue professionally,” said Melendez.
Not every student has a plan to pursue theatre professionally. Many students participate in the play because they have a passion for theatre.
“Realistically I don’t think I will be able to, but I would love too,” said Americo Salvi, who plays Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose.
One part that stood out was when the characters Vi Moore and Ethel McCormack sang “Learning to Be Silent.” This song was performed by the women of Elmore City about not being able to speak their minds and having to obey men.
The process for the production of the play was grueling and time constraining. The cast and crew had put together this musical in less than a month, with hour long days and multiple rehearsals a week.
“We put up this two hour show in 29 days, in a month,” said Melendez. “Usually, this a show that takes five or six months to make.”
Footloose has one more weekend of shows taking place. The times will be Oct. 12, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.
