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The cast and crew of the upcoming summer musical at Las Positas College have been in the final stages of rehearsals and preparations, with opening night rapidly approaching.
The four-show run of “Footloose” is set to debut this Friday (July 21) at the community college’s outdoor amphitheater on its main campus in Livermore, with late evening performances and food and wine vendors set to create a festival-type atmosphere that makes the most of hot temperatures and long nights characteristic of Tri-Valley summers.
“‘Footloose’ is a fun, toe-tapping night of musical theater,” Titian Lish, coordinator for the college’s theater and performing arts program, said in an announcement last week. “I am incredibly proud of the students and staff for their hard work on this nostalgic show.”
For some members of the sizable cast of 29, the nostalgia of the beloved movie musical that the stage production is based on — as well as its ubiquity in pop culture over the decades since the debut of the 1984 film that follows big city transplant Ren McCormack after moving to a small town where rock music and dancing are banned — have served as fuel for connecting with their characters during the rehearsal process.
“I’ve watched the movie many times before, it’s the one musical I think my Dad actually likes,” actress Kaila Bimemiller said. “It’s definitely been a challenge but in the best ways possible and I feel so fortunate to have a large and loving cast behind me. This is a great feel-good nostalgic show, especially during the summer, and I hope audiences can see all the hard work we’ve put into this production.”
While LPC’s intensive theater conservatory program and the performances that come out of it are the product of thorough training and long rehearsals for the cast and crew, the camaraderie it fosters and the memories it creates can be tangible rewards in their own right, even ahead of opening night.
“One of my favorite parts of this show is the way the ensemble comes together,” said actress Madison Charles, who plays the supporting role of Rusty Rodriguez. “Sometimes rehearsal just feels like a bunch of friends hanging out which makes the action on stage even more connected. Rusty has been a role that’s challenging for me, but so so fun.”
Fellow supporting actor Xander Struckmann — who plays Willard Hewitt — also emphasized the hard work that goes into the theater program and its ambitious musical productions, as well as the rewards that come from seeing the ensemble come together more and more as opening night comes closer.
“The LPC theater department has created such an inviting space for anyone to work their way into the roles and community they desire,” Struckmann said. “While it can be stressful learning the abundance of dancing and singing, the whole cast has come together to practice and bond to create this beautiful show.”
“Footloose” premiers at the outdoor amphitheater of the Barbara F. Mertes Center for the Arts on Friday (July 21) at 8 p.m., with subsequent shows at the same time on Saturday (July 22), July 28 and July 29. With limited seating available, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on.
Tickets are available online and at the door.
