June 24, 2024 By Roy Harris
The Broadway hit “Footloose” is being readied by Hingham Civic Music Theatre for its two-weekend early-August run at Hingham Town Hall’s Sanborn Auditorium.
The story tells of a music-crazy youngster—Ren McCormack, played by Randolph’s Trevor Nataupsky—whose family, led by his mother, Ethel (Rockland’s Blair Bailey) moves to an uptight community where town elders have banned rock-and-roll. Among the anti-music leaders: Principal Clark (Rob Buckel-Gillis) and Rev. Shaw Moore (Brockton’s Steve Shannon), whose daughter Ariel (Carly Williams of Marion) is drawn to the music, and to her boyfriend Chuck, played by Quincy’s D. Joseph.
Songs sung by members of the 30-person cast include “I Can’t Stand Still,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Heaven Help Me” and “Almost Paradise.” Music is by Tom Snow and other composers, with lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and Kenny Loggins as an additional lyricist. “Footloose” first ran on Broadway in 1998, based on the popular 1984 movie. For an early look at “Footloose” cast members, you’ll see them on display in Hingham’s Fourth of July parade.
Hingham Civic’s show is directed by Nathan Fogg DeSisto, and has music direction by Kelley DePasqua and choreography by Samantha Brior-Jones Sullivan.
For its second weekend, “Footloose” runs Saturday, Aug. 10, with a closing matinee Sunday the 11th. Hingham Town Hall’s Sanborn stage is at 210 Central St.
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Roy Harris, who lives in the World’s End area of Hingham, is a writer who has performed in numerous Hingham Civic productions over the years.