11/13/2006
Coventry gets Footloose
By NICOLE WIETRAK


COVENTRY - The students in the drama club at Coventry High School have been warming up their dancing shoes - and kicking off their Sunday ones -in preparation for their fall 2006 production of Footloose.


On Tuesday afternoon, students in the cast and crew practiced scene changes while the school's Theater Program Director Myke Wilkinson threw out last minute changes and suggestions from the sidelines.

"Please light up our stage," Wilkinson instructed his students, "and let's work together as a team to make this happen."

In only eight short weeks, the drama club and its helpers have memorized lines, practiced dance moves, learned songs and built sets for the 1998 Broadway musical from start to finish.

Based on the 1984 hit movie starring Kevin Bacon and John Lithgow whose soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts, Footloose tells the story of 17-year-old Ren McCormack and his trials of moving from big city Chicago to a small, conservative farming town.

The Footloose Oscar-nominated score was written by Dean Pitchford in collaboration with Kenny Loggins, Tom Snow, Sammy Hagar, Jim Steinman and Eric Carmen.

Many audience members will recognize such musical hits as "Let's Hear It for the Boy," "Holding out for a Hero," and of course the title song, "Footloose."

"My high school drama teacher changed my life, so I thought it was time to give back," said Wilkinson of his ninth year as the high school's program director and drama teacher.

Wilkinson said that one of the reasons that he chose Footloose was because the musical had many different roles involved and he wanted to give as many students an opportunity to participate as possible.

The production, which Wilkinson described as a "fairly faithful adaptation," includes a company of over 70 members, roughly 30 of which are actors.

In total, the 30 actors collectively partake in costume changes 250 times, with parents and faculty behind the scenes helping out to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Before he turned to teaching, Wilkinson spent 30 years on stage as an actor all across the country. His wife is chairperson of the University of Rhode Island's Department of Theater.

"I have a professional background in theater and I expect professional results from the actors," said Wilkinson. "They live up to the expectation; they really do a wonderful job."

The endeavor is not solely a drama club one; the band playing the musical score is composed entirely of CHS students, the set was designed and built by the teacher and students of the school's woodshop class and the dance moves choreographed by Physical Education teacher Moira Young.

Wilkinson said he had always wanted to work with Brad DeGraide, the high school's vocal and instrumental teacher, and felt as though this musical was the perfect opportunity to shake up the stage.

"I'm excited," said Wilkinson. "I hope the community comes out for this."

What is unique about this production, Wilkinson explained, is that it not only features student actors, but faculty and staff actors as well.

In total, four teachers have roles in the musical, and for some, the experience has been much more difficult than expected.

"It's been a lot of work," said Kathy Richardson, a science teacher at the high school who confessed she had never acted a day in her life before trying out for Footloose. She plays the role of Vi Moore, the minister's wife.

"I have a newfound respect for actresses and actors," she said, noting that she didn't realize her part involved singing until she had already been cast.

Senior Laura Tortolani, who plays Lulu Warnicker, has been in all of the high school's productions since her freshman year and said she is looking to pursue acting in the future.

"It's been fun but it's been a lot of work," said Tortolani. "We've never had choreography before."
Her cast-mate, senior Miles Boucher, who plays Chuck Cranston, agreed.

"This production has been tough because there's so much acting, singing and dancing," he said, "but it's still been a blast."

Sophmore Jackie Carlson, playing the role of Eleanor Dunbar, said the "high energy" musical is sure to please audience members.

Junior Matt Adington plays the male lead role of Ren and senior Betsy Rinaldi plays the female lead of Ariel Moore, the minister's daughter.

CHS's production of Footloose will run Nov. 9, 10 and 11. Show time is 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available at the door, $10 for adults, $5 for students.