Getting ‘loose on stage

Suzie Harrison

The stage came alive with students dancing and singing during a

rehearsal of the opening number for Laguna Beach High’s musical

“Footloose,” which opened Thursday. It was their first time doing a

run through of all the numbers, and their enthusiasm filled the room.

“The opening number, it’s the scene where my character, Ethel

McCormack, and her son, Ren, have to move from Chicago to Beaumont,”

Marissa Reisman, 16, said. “The opening number explains the

transition.”

She laughed as she said the situation for the characters was like

the two of them landing in “Oz.”

“Everyone in Beaumont is such a hick with huge hair, flannel and

plaid,” Reisman said. “There’s a real culture shock.”

Reisman who has been a lead in several of the high school’s

productions likes this show in particular because it’s contemporary

and most of the actors are playing their own age group.

Alex Bodreio, 17, plays the Rev. Shaw who he says has become a

little misguided after the death of his son.

“He’s a guy who thinks he’s doing good, the right thing,” Bodreio

said. “He’s a good guy who wants everything to be normal. The thing

is that his son died a few years back and because of that, he’s in a

sort of post traumatic state of mind.”

His character won’t allow any drinking and drugs and is extra

sensitive to the topic because his son died in a car accident

listening to music and drinking Bodreio explained. So he outlawed

dancing in the town.

Bodreio said that in the end his character understands what he’s

done wrong and learns to have fun again. He likes the moral because

he said he could relate it to real life.

Reisman’s take on the theme is that it’s about perseverance.

“It’s about rising up against something you think is wrong and not

giving up when you think the cause is lost,” he said.

Musical director Roxana Ward said that “Footloose” is the first

show she can think of that the kids are playing their own ages and

it’s set in this time period.

“I think people will recognize the 80s songs,” Ward said. “It’s a

little different from the movie because there are more songs from

that period that aren’t in the movie.”

Director Mark Dressler said that this production is going to be

exciting with their set and costume design being original.

“It’s a brand new musical that has only been released a year,”

Dressler said. “My prediction is that it’s going to be a huge high

school show because of the feel of the music.”

Rachel Alcone, 18, plays the female lead.

“It’s an amazing thing to be with a sense of duty so intense,”

Alcone said. “I like the show because it’s hip and up to date. It’s

like a dream come true, this is the first I’ve been cast in such a

big part -- it’s a swan song.”

She said that she feels a lot of responsibility standing on the

stage with the audience packed with faces -- it’s a rush just imaging

it.

“Footloose” opened last night and will show at 7:30 tonight and

Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. On April 3, 4, and 5 the shows are

at 7:30 p.m. at the school’s Artists’ Theatre at 625 Park Ave.

Tickets are $8 for students, $10 for general admission for adults,

$15 for reserved seating, matinee process $8 for general and $15 for

reserved. For more information, call 497-7769.