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
  • $6.8B budget crosses final hurdle

    House members found enough votes late Thursday afternoon to approve the state’s $6.8 billion budget for next year by a vote of 52-42. This came after an earlier vote failed by four votes in the House Thursday morning.

    May 25, 2012

  • Santa Fe principal resigns

    Edmond Santa Fe High School principal Earl Kirkpatrick resigned Thursday to explore possibilities in the field of ministry. His last day is June 30.

    May 25, 2012

  • devin derrick 2012.jpg Hollywood dreams do come true: Edmondite develops film, music career

    It’s all about being in the right place at the right time.
    At least that is what Edmond resident and 1990 Edmond High School graduate Devin Derrick will tell you about his rise to fame in the music and movie businesses.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • ASK A LAWYER: Trusts provide options for difficult heirs

    Q: We have a grown daughter who has a gambling problem. We want to provide for her in our will, but also want to protect her share from being wasted after we die. How can we do this?
    A: Your situation is not unusual. Most of us know at least one person who has difficulty handling money for one reason or another.

    May 25, 2012

  • 5-26 Pets

    This is a list of animals that have been found and are at the Edmond Animal Shelter, at Interstate 35 and Covell in the Cross Timbers Municipal Complex. Call the shelter at 216-7615 for more information.

    May 25, 2012

  • 5-26 Police and Fire

    Information in this column is gathered from city fire incident logs and police incident reports.

    May 25, 2012

  • Make-A-Wish Oklahoma hosts Lexus raffle

    Make-A-Wish Oklahoma will once again partner with Lexus of Tulsa and Eskridge Lexus of Oklahoma City to raffle off a new Lexus, raising funds to support the organization’s efforts to grant the heartfelt wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions in Oklahoma.

    May 25, 2012

  • Edmond youth are encouraged to make a difference

    The Edmond Youth Council programs are opportunities for students 15-18 years of age to learn about municipal government and potentially impact future city policies.

    May 25, 2012

  • Hiebert graduates from Field Artillery training

    Army Pfc. Cody A. Hiebert has graduated from the Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton.

    May 25, 2012

  • arcadia lake 3.jpg Police: Comply with lake rules during holiday period

    Summer vacation, hot days and a holiday weekend spell heavier traffic on Arcadia Lake, and police want to remind guests about rules and what happens if you break them.
    May 23 was the last day of school for Edmond Public Schools and the long Memorial Day holiday period has come.

    May 25, 2012 6 Photos