Grand gets Footloose!
Every year, London's Grand
Theatre presents the High School
Project, a production that brings
together students from high
schools across the city. This year,
they gave us Footloose.
Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack, a city kid from Chicago who is forced to move to small town Beaumont when his father walks out on the family. There he meets Ariel, the preacher's daughter, and quickly falls for her. Ren soon discovers the biggest problem in Beaumont is that dancing is against the law within town limits, and decides that throwing a dance is the only way to mellow out the tightly wound, ultra-conservative townsfolk. Everyone struggles to assert their independence, traditions are challenged and relationships are tested when the youth of Beaumont try to shake things up for their stuffy parents.
The cast and crew of this production are absolutely incredible. Every element of the Project is conducted by students — the costumes, props, set design, sound, lighting and even the head shots in the program. The behind-thescenes talent is obvious, and adds a great deal to the experience.
The cast is led by Gonzalo Arboleda, from Catholic Central H.S., as Ren. In his speaking and singing, and especially in his dancing skills, Arboleda brings Ren to life in a way that rivals the talents of Kevin Bacon himself. Chanel Danbrook, from Mother Theresa Catholic S.S., plays the female lead, Ariel, and she does an outstanding job with the role, all while making it look absolutely effortless. Oh, and Danbrook has a killer voice too.
Daniel Newton, of Strathroy District C.I, brings to life the uptight preacher Reverend Moore. Newton's talents are stunning; he has a voice well beyond his years that will have you convinced he is a seasoned preacher. Ben Cookson, from Catholic Central H.S., brings us fan favourite Willard Hewitt, a good old country boy, with maybe just a few redneck inclinations. At first, he can't dance, but he eventually proves that he has the most impressive dancing skills of the entire cast.
Footloose also features a great ensemble cast, who move with such synchronicity during the complicated chorus dance numbers that they could easily be mistaken for professional musical theatre actors.
Laughter, joyous hollers and thunderous applause followed most every song in this musical presentation — and there may have even been a few teary eyes in the theatre during some of the show's more touching moments. Despite a few hiccups in the sound and lighting departments, the opening night of the High School Project's Footloose was flawless. The audience certainly must have enjoyed it because they responded to the finale with a standing ovation that lasted for quite some time.
Footloose opened on September 20 and runs until October 1. Make sure you get out to see this one; not only is it a great night of entertainment, but it supports the talented youth of London.
Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack, a city kid from Chicago who is forced to move to small town Beaumont when his father walks out on the family. There he meets Ariel, the preacher's daughter, and quickly falls for her. Ren soon discovers the biggest problem in Beaumont is that dancing is against the law within town limits, and decides that throwing a dance is the only way to mellow out the tightly wound, ultra-conservative townsfolk. Everyone struggles to assert their independence, traditions are challenged and relationships are tested when the youth of Beaumont try to shake things up for their stuffy parents.
The cast and crew of this production are absolutely incredible. Every element of the Project is conducted by students — the costumes, props, set design, sound, lighting and even the head shots in the program. The behind-thescenes talent is obvious, and adds a great deal to the experience.
The cast is led by Gonzalo Arboleda, from Catholic Central H.S., as Ren. In his speaking and singing, and especially in his dancing skills, Arboleda brings Ren to life in a way that rivals the talents of Kevin Bacon himself. Chanel Danbrook, from Mother Theresa Catholic S.S., plays the female lead, Ariel, and she does an outstanding job with the role, all while making it look absolutely effortless. Oh, and Danbrook has a killer voice too.
Daniel Newton, of Strathroy District C.I, brings to life the uptight preacher Reverend Moore. Newton's talents are stunning; he has a voice well beyond his years that will have you convinced he is a seasoned preacher. Ben Cookson, from Catholic Central H.S., brings us fan favourite Willard Hewitt, a good old country boy, with maybe just a few redneck inclinations. At first, he can't dance, but he eventually proves that he has the most impressive dancing skills of the entire cast.
Footloose also features a great ensemble cast, who move with such synchronicity during the complicated chorus dance numbers that they could easily be mistaken for professional musical theatre actors.
Laughter, joyous hollers and thunderous applause followed most every song in this musical presentation — and there may have even been a few teary eyes in the theatre during some of the show's more touching moments. Despite a few hiccups in the sound and lighting departments, the opening night of the High School Project's Footloose was flawless. The audience certainly must have enjoyed it because they responded to the finale with a standing ovation that lasted for quite some time.
Footloose opened on September 20 and runs until October 1. Make sure you get out to see this one; not only is it a great night of entertainment, but it supports the talented youth of London.
