From the title song to “Almost Paradise,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” there is much familiarity in the musical “Footloose.”
The Joliet Drama Guild stages the show about a battle against a ban on dancing July 26-Aug. 4 at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre.
“I like the story of redemption from both sides,” said Tyler McMahon via phone from his Bradley home.
“Ren discovers who he is as a person after his father leaves and his family’s been broken. He slowly learns that instead of rebelling for no good reason there’s a reason to rebel and stand up to unjust things,” he said.
On the flip side, the Rev. Shaw Moore experiences redemption after his son’s death, he said.
“It’s that idea that you don’t have to be one thing. The reverend doesn’t just have to be this religious leader and conservative person. He can believe in God and have his faith but treat people that aren’t the same with just as much care.”
The cast of “Footloose” includes Joliet, Kankakee, Lockport, Morris and Shorewood residents.
“They’re fantastic. They’re working very hard. They’re having a lot of fun,” said McMahon who is working with assistant director Michelle Heermann, music director Bonnie Brewer and choreographer Kalista Roling, of Lockport, on the show.
“From watching and being with them, I realize they are definitely practicing at home. From the ensemble dancers to our principals, they are figuring out how to put a little more emotion into the songs,” he said.
“I don’t think anybody has been in a production of ‘Footloose’ before so, for them, they are becoming familiar with it. Obviously most of our adults know the movie. I don’t know how much of our younger cast knows the original or remake, but they’re having fun figuring things out.”
“Footloose” is based on the original screenplay for the movie of the same name by Dean Pitchford and features stage adaptation by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Pitchford and additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.
Although McMahon has not seen the 1984 film, he is familiar with “Footloose” after playing Willard Hewitt in a 2010 production by the Drama Group in Chicago Heights.
“I hope people will come and enjoy it. It’s songs they are familiar with and some songs that they aren’t familiar with and a story that they know,” McMahon said.
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“With everything going on in the world, come and ignore that for two-and-a-half hours and enjoy a show that’s just fun.”
“Footloose” marks a return to the Joliet Drama Guild for McMahon who first worked with the community theater group in 2017 when he directed the musical “Hairspray.”
“The people there are a lot of fun,” said McMahon, whose 2019 will be rounded out by directing the dark comedy “Hand to God” for Limelight Theatre Works, a company that he started in Kankakee, in the fall, and Orland Park Theatre Troupe’s production of “A Christmas Story” from Dec. 13-15.
“I can’t say I like one group more than the other. I like finding out the challenges and figuring them out. I like to talk to people and hear other people’s thoughts and ideas and create something.”
‘Footloose’
When: 7:30 p.m. July 26-27 and Aug. 2-3; 2 p.m. July 28 and Aug. 4
Where: Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
Tickets: $18 adults; $15 seniors or students younger than age 18; $10 ages younger than 10; group discounts available
Information: 779-227-5172; www.facebook.com/thejolietdramaguild
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer for the Daily Southtown.