The Edmond Sun

Local News

Related Photos

Discussion

June 13, 2008

‘Footloose’ adds Sunday show

Patty Miller

EDMOND — Summerstock opened last weekend with about 1,000 people in attendance for the first two performances of “Footloose.”

Even though one performance was canceled last weekend because of weather, Theresa Nelson, Summerstock vice president, is hoping for record-breaking numbers for this week-end’s shows, with an additional show added for Sunday night.

The cast is packed with talent, Nelson said, with some familiar faces as well some new actors taking the stage.

“Footloose” features local musical theater students from the University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University and Oklahoma State University, and also includes some veteran performers. Former mayor Saundra Naifeh plays the role of Betty Blast and attorney Jay Buxton is the Rev. Shaw Moore.

The show is directed by Lisa Fox and choreographed by her daughter, Aubrey Adams, while Lisa’s son, Brandon Adams is the stage manager.

A Tony-nominated musical, the performance is full of youthful energy as the cast entertains with familiar songs like “Footloose,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and “Holding Out for a Hero”.

Fox said the two leads, Kaleb Patterson as Ren and Emiley Mitchell as Ariel, are triple threats.

“They sing, they dance and they act,” Fox said.

Mitchell is a student at UCO along with Myka Plunket, who plays Rusty.

Fox, a performer herself, is on an extended run in Texas this week with a role in “Menopause: The Musical.”

The plot of the 1984 movie loosely is based on events in Elmore City, a tiny, rural farming community in south-central Oklahoma.

Dancing had been banned for more than 90 years in this city, but the ban was lifted in 1980 when Ren (played by Kaleb Patterson, OCU music theater major and cheerleader) moves to town. He comes to live with his aunt and uncle and brings with him a looser view of life and a love of dancing.

A group of students in the graduating class made history by getting permission to dance at the school prom.

The story rocked the small community of Elmore City and rolled across America when the movie, “Footloose” set the nation dancing.

“Even though the musical shows a rebellious side of teenage life, the show has a wholesome message and is a positive family experience,” Nelson said.

This will be Summerstock’s fourth season at the outdoor Mitch Park Amphitheatre. Previous shows include “The Sound of Music,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The King and I,” “West Side Story” and “Grease!”

“We have amazing talent and a cast that sings better than the Broadway CD,” Nelson said. “It’s wonderful that our community has a chance to meet these talented performers, many of whom will go on to Broadway.

“The audience coming to Summerstock has much to look forward to.”

Text Only
Local News
  • jc_babyA.jpg OU Medical Edmond greets 100th baby

    Sometimes it seems as if history repeats itself.
    My Birth Center at OU Medical Center Edmond delivered its 100th baby at 7:42 a.m. Friday, 44 years after the hospital’s first 100th baby was born in 1968. My Birth Center opened in September, becoming the first birth place available in Edmond since 2005.

    February 11, 2012 3 Photos

  • 2-11 Police & fire runs

    February 11, 2012

  • School board candidates release financial reports

    Both candidates running for the Edmond school board District No. 1 seat filed their first of two financial reports with the school administration.

    February 11, 2012

  • 2-11 Edmond Senior Center calendar

    The Edmond Senior Center, 2733 Marilyn Williams Drive, is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
    For information about Edmond senior programs, stop by and pick up a monthly calendar, check out the website at edmondseniorcenter.com or call 216-7600.
    Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and reservations are needed a day in advance by 11 a.m.
    For lunch reservations, call at 330-6293 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    February 10, 2012

  • State schools to receive No Child Left Behind waiver

    State Secretary of Education Phyllis Hudecki announced Thursday Oklahoma is one of 10 states chosen to receive a waiver from No Child Left Behind requirements.

    February 10, 2012

  • Logan Co. Democrats to meet Monday

    The Logan County Democratic Committee will have its monthly meeting on Monday.
    The main order of business will be Get Out the Vote for the April 3 state Senate race. Precinct officers are encouraged to attend. In addition to business and planning items, the group will celebrate Logan County Democrats with birthdays in February. 

    February 10, 2012

  • Eloise Rees.jpg Edmond loses wealth of knowledge with death of resident

    The death of longtime Edmond resident Eloise Rodkey Rees goes with the saying that with every death, you lose a library.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Polling places: Where to vote

    February 10, 2012

  • Humphreys seeks Senate seat

    Fearing that the liberties of Oklahomans are slipping away, Republican Chris Humphreys said he hopes to win the state Senate District 20 primary race set for Tuesday.

    February 10, 2012

  • Unwritten contracts hard to prove

    Q: Can an agreement be enforced if it is not in writing?
    A: Although it is generally advisable to put every agreement in writing, most agreements can be enforced without written evidence of the deal. Both oral and written contracts can, in the right circumstances, bind the parties to perform.

    February 10, 2012