Kick off your Sunday shoes and cut loose as “Footloose the Musical” starts a high-energy run Sept. 7 at Cape Fear Regional Theatre.
“Footloose” will also be the last show before the theater undergoes its big transformation, a capital project dubbed “Act 2,” growing space up and out on Haymount Hill and allowing more space for classrooms, scenery and costumes.
Director Suzanne Agins said the musical — based on the hit 1984 film — was the perfect show to celebrate a new beginning and that audiences will jump to their feet with hits such as “Let’s Hear it for the Boy,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Almost Paradise” and the title song, “Footloose.”
Agins, who has directed “Mamma Mia,” “Memphis,” “Dreamgirls” and other shows at CFRT, said the cast gives its all in a “full workout in every sense of the word.”
“The show has everything — it’s funny, it’s poignant, it’s silly, it’s deep,” Agins said. “It covers all of the bases.”
The musical tells the story of Ren McCormick, a teenager from the big city who finds himself in a small town where dancing and music has been banned. He finds himself at odds with a church full of adults, but as an emerging leader with his peers.
Josiah Thomas Randolph, 22, plays McCormick and said he can relate to the character, who he watched as a child in the film version.
“He knows what he believes in and I love his ability to stand up when faced with adversity,” Randolph said.
He refers to antagonist Reverend Shaw Moore (played by Jesse Swimm), a highly influential religious leader who has alienated the community by banning dancing and has been unwilling to listen to others, including his teenage daughter Ariel.
Swimm, who has appeared on Broadway in shows such as “School of Rock” and “Mary Poppins,” is taking part in his third “Footloose” performance.
“This show is everything that was fun about the 80s,” Swimm said. “The harmonies are insane.”
Marketing director Ashley Owen said the musical’s casting was among CFRT’s best.
“I can’t stop singing it — it’s so joyful and so much fun,” Owen said. “It feels like a celebration across every metric.”
Reveling in the love of music and dance is Samantha Parada, who is returning to CFRT as Ethel McCormick in the show and dance captain for the cast. She was last seen as Madame in “Cinderella” and Morticia in “The Addams Family.”
Under choreographer Lisa “L-Boogie” Bauford, Parada said that the dance numbers were vigorous, which she loves because she can’t wait to see how the community will react.
“This show is a perfect exclamation point to end this era,” Parada. “I’ve seen them embrace this theater and cannot wait to see their take on this show.”
“Footloose” is nostalgic, catchy and uplifting and tickets are on sale now.
Performances run through Sept. 29, with 7:30 p.m. shows Wednesdays through Sundays, and 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.
Ticket prices range from $19 to $37. There will also be a Welcome Back Bash season kickoff on Sept. 5 with complimentary drinks and snacks before the show from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. Military Appreciation Night is Sept. 11 and Teacher Appreciation Night is Sept. 13 with 25% off ticket prices.
For more information, visit cfrt.org/footloose-the-musical or call the box office at 910-323-4233. Cape Fear Regional Theatre is located at 1209 Hay St.
Jami McLaughlin can be reached at jmclaughlin@cityviewnc.com or 910-391-4870.
