Wando High School will present its third fully live musical,  "Footloose," on Feb. 14, 15, and 16 at 7 p.m. at the school’s Performing Arts Center in Mount Pleasant.

   The classic story made famous on screen by Kevin Bacon will whisk audiences away to the small Southern town of Bomont, where the Reverend Shaw Moore and the other adult townspeople rules and the teenagers feel captive.

   Singing, dancing and live music from members of South Carolina’s first-place band for the third year in a row are sure to make this an evening to remember. "This show deals with a relevant theme of a community struggling with keeping its children safe while still allowing them to live," says Lori Carroll, the show’s director.

   Carroll, a Wando faculty member, says the production showcases a school-wide range of talents. "We have a lot of really outstanding boys and we chose a show that would feature them - and of course our girls good too. But we wanted to show off our boys because it is very unusual for a high school theater department to have that many talented young men who can not only act, but sing and dance at the same time," she said.

There are 32 cast members and 15 of them are boys.The cast features a mix of students who will likely pursue theater as a career or music in college. But Carroll said for a lot of them, it’s a way to be involved in something that is fun and challenging. "It’s like a sporting season for them. For four months they live and breath it and they make so many good friends because they spend so much time together - and they love showing off for an audience," she said.

"I love seeing the kids push themselves. I’m putting things out there and thinking ‘I don’t know if they will ever be able to do this’ and now I’m sitting here watching them do it."

Former Broadway performer Kirk Sprinkles has taught and inspired students with his dynamic New York-style choreography.

"What is so challenging about this production is that this is a dancing musical," said Carroll. We’re just very blessed and fortunate to have the depth of talent in our boys that we have."

Carroll said there were a lot of good choices for the lead parts. Those chosen include:

•Sabastian Sanchez, a sophomore, playing the lead of Ren.

•Christopher Collins, a senior, playing the role of Rev. Shaw Moore. (This is his fourth musical and he is a key part of musicals at Wando).

•Emily Shipp, a senior, plays the role of Ariel. (She starred in last year’s "Beauty and the Beast" production as Belle.

Supporting roles

•Eric Hnatko, a senior, plays Willard.

•Kate Barry, a junior, plays Vi Moore.

•Jodye Carroll, a junior, plays Rusty.

Adult volunteers

•Roberta Guthrie, assistant director

•William Bennet, vocal instruction

•Sean McGrew, music director

   Major local sponsors who have helped to underwrite the costs associated with staging the musical production are SunTrust, Carnell Construction, Webster Rogers LLP, CBRE/Carmody, LLC, and Drew Law Firm.With music by various artists made popular by artists such as Kenny Loggins, Sammy Hagar, Eric Carmen, and Jim Steinman, Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack, a young man who moves to a small town where dancing has been outlawed. The town has suffered great loss because of the deaths of four teenagers. Ren helps the town rediscover joy.

Putting a production like this together takes an incredible amount of time, Carroll said.

The design process began in August and auditions were held in October. Casting nd rehearsals began in November are held and three to four days a week; including all day rehearsals during holidays and school vacation days right on up through showtime.

"We have a very dedicated group," said Carroll. "They are energetic, talented and its fun to watch, and we’ve got some really good choreography. Kirk Sprinkles’, (the choreographer) dances are very athletic and quick and based on his broadway experience," she said.

"This is not one of the more extravagant shows scenically that we have done," said Carroll, "but much more challenging for the performers - especially doing these demanding dances and singing at the same time."

Carroll said this group has been so committed to their dance rehearsals, dancing full out for three hours. She said, "here they are sweaty and panting and saying "God this is fun’."

As always, the production features a live orchestra made up of Wando High School band students.

   Although the musical Footloose is no longer playing on Broadway, the movie is still a classic 1984 movie due to the dance scenes with Kevin Bacon and the hit songs such as "Almost Paradise," "Holding Out for a Hero," "Let’s Hear it for the Boy," and the title song, "Footloose."

Tickets for the performances are $5 per person for students and $10 per person for adults. For more information, visit:

www.wandohigh.com/clubs/musical or call (843) 375-3537.

All seats are general admission. Reserved seats for show sponsors only. House will open 20 minutes minute prior to curtain. All tickets will be sold at the Wando High School Main Office. Cash and checks are accepted. No credit or debit cards are accepted. We ask that you do not make out checks prior to ticket purchase due to strict CCSD bookkeeping regulations.

Want to go?

•February 14 7:00 PM Students: $5 Adults: $10

•February 15 7:00 PM Students: $5 Adults: $10

•February 16 7:00 PM Students: $5 Adults: $10

(The show runs 2.5 hours with 15 minute intermission).

Title:


Comment:


Your Name: (optional - shown on website)

Enter text seen above:

---