Everybody cut loose! UK Theatre and Dance wraps up season with 'Footloose'
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 27, 2024) — Kick off the Sunday shoes! The University of Kentucky Department of Theatre and Dance concludes its 2023-24 season with a nostalgic trip back to audiences’ high school dances. The stage adaptation of the classic 1984 movie musical "Footloose" runs April 11-14 in the Guignol Theatre.
"Footloose" tells the story of Ren McCormack, a teenager who moves from the big city of Chicago to a small town where rock n' roll music and dancing have been made illegal. Along with other kids at his high school, Ren begins to challenge the strict order of the town, all while falling for conservative Reverend Shaw’s daughter, Ariel. Featuring familiar ‘80s hits like “Footloose,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Let’s Hear it for the Boy,” this show is sure to warm hearts and throw audiences back to the drama of high school love and teenaged revelry.
Directing the stage adaptation of "Footloose" at UK is Susie Thiel, associate professor and director of dance in the UK College of Fine Arts.
“Of course, there is amazing dancing in this very iconic musical theatre production! There is also so much more,” Thiel said. “As the creative process evolved, the script came to life bringing out the narratives of loss, connections, forgiveness and healing. It has been a gratifying journey working with the cast to bring out the strength and stories of these amazing characters.”
The Kentucky Theatre, in collaboration with UK Department of Theatre and Dance, will host a one-night-only showing of the original "Footloose" movie starring Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow, at 10 p.m. Friday, March 29. Tickets to the screening are $6.50, and available at the Kentucky Theatre’s website.
"Footloose" performances will take place in the Guignol Theatre, located in the Fine Arts Building, 465 Rose St. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11 through Saturday, April 13; and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14. Reserved seating. Tickets are available by visiting the Singletary Center for the Arts at scfatickets.com or by calling the box office at 859-257-4929. Tickets are $25 for adults and $19 for students.
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