Kick off the Sunday shoes!
Rent that tux, buy some flowers, tie that tie after your 23rd time and get ready to cut loose at the world-famous musical production - Footloose - The Musical.
The musical which was written by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, was originally based on the 1984 film of the same name. It was first performed at New York Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre on October 22, 1998 and ran for 709 performances until July 2, 2000. It would go on to be nominated for four Tony Awards.
Fast forward 17 years later and the award-winning show is taking place at the Harrington Theatre in Pukekohe.
For those who have never been fortunate enough to witness Footloose - The Musical; the show focuses on the main character, Ren McCormack who moves from Chicago to a fictional small farming town in the United States called Bomont, with his mother Ethel.
On the first day at his local high school, Ren soon realises that there has been a ban on dancing which has been instituted by the local preacher, Shaw Moore, who is determined to keep the local youth under control. With a passion for tapping his toes, Ren doesn't take well to the rules and drama quickly unfolds.
The musical includes a love affair between the star of the show and the preacher's daughter Ariel, a fight scene between Ren and the local bully Chuck Cranston, lots of dancing and singing and a rocking soundtrack from the album which has reached number one on the Billboard charts and sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
While the production mainly revolves around the importance of dance and the relationships that music can form, it also handles an underlying theme of abandonment and the pain that Ren feels in losing his father (who leaves Ren and his mother in poverty at the beginning of the play). This heart warming story brings about an understanding between two very unlikely characters and concludes with a happy twist, complete with a full cast song and dance that should leave the audience clapping for more.
"I can guarantee that any audience member will be thoroughly entertained and nothing would give us greater pleasure than to have all who come to see the show dancing in their seats!" says Sharnie.
Pukekohe's version of the musical will include a cast of 30 volunteers, directed by Julie Trigger, with choreography by Aeyla Duncan (who is also performing in the new production of Michael Hurst's Pleasuredome). The cast ranges from students of 12 years of age to veterans who are 50 plus. Many of these stars also list Franklin as their home. "Some are new to the stage, some are returning to the stage and some are very experienced," says production manager, Sharnie Carlyle.
The actors, singers and dancers will be accompanied by an eight-strong band which includes a range of musical instruments. Footloose requires a pit orchestra in a rock combo style, such as keyboards, drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitars and the trumpet and saxophone. Behind the scenes, over 20 people are responsible for ensuring the lighting, sound, props and costumes are at the best standard possible and marketing and advertising gets out to the right people.
The show is produced by Pukekohe Performing Arts which has been around for forty years and over that time has put on numerous popular shows. "There was a quiet period for a while as volunteers got too busy to help out and expenses started to rise but we have been working very hard to ensure the local community knows we are still here by staging shows each year," says Sharnie.
This year has been the busiest ever for the performing arts company, with a play called The Continental Quilt taking place in May and High School Musical Junior showing in July.
"In addition to this we have started our youth theatre group which has been growing stronger each term, " says Sharnie. "We are already in the planning stages for our 2018 line up which we hope to announce soon."
According to Sharnie, these shows would not possible without the help of the dedicated cast/production and sponsors. "Our aim is to put on two to three shows per year but more volunteers and sponsors are always needed to do so," she says.
Future plans for the performing arts company include an upgrade of the sound equipment "which should enhance the productions and make the shows even more spectacular," says Sharnie.
Footloose - The Musical will take place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from Friday 28 October through to Saturday 4 November, with all shows beginning in the evening at 7:30pm. There will also be two matinee performances from 3:30pm on Sunday 22nd and 29th October.
Footloose the Musical will be performed at The Harrington Theatre at 2 Harrington Avenue in Pukekohe central. From the Bombay motorway exit, head towards Pukekohe and turn right at the ring road for Harrington Avenue.
Ticket prices range from $22 for students, $25 for senior citizens and $28 for adults. For more information about the show, or to volunteer for future performances, visit www.pukekoheperformingarts.co.nz. Tickets to the show are available at www.iticket.co.nz.
