"Footloose" Performance

The Pratt Community College performing arts department is pleased to announce its production of “Footloose.” The musical which was adapted from the 1984 movie of the same title, will be April 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and April 10 at 2:30 p.m. The story, written by Dean Pitchford and adapted for stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, is a classic tale of forgiveness, understanding and fresh starts. Featuring a variety of 80s rock music by Tom Snow, Dean Pitchford, Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman, the show is bound to have audiences moving in their seats.
 
On Saturday, April 9, the Friends of the Arts Club will host a Dinner Theatre Fundraiser. There will be three seatings: 5 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. The suggested donation for the dinner theatre is $10 for adults and $5 for those under 12. The menu will be a potluck of church casseroles, veggies, desserts and a chocolate fountain all provided by theatre supporters of the Pratt area. For dinner theatre reservations, please contact Lora Lobmeyer at (620) 450-2212. Tickets for the show are a suggested donation of $4 and will be available at the show – no advanced purchase is required.
 
The cast of the Pratt Community College production includes more than 80 people with community members, children and college students contributing to the citizenship of Bomont (the town in which the show is based). Misty Beck serves as the director.
 
Ren, the Chicago transplant who shakes up Bomont is played by Josh Jacobs of Pratt, while Peyton Whitfield (Pratt High senior) plays Ariel, the preacher’s daughter. Reverend Shaw Moore and his wife Vi are played by Scott Powell (Pratt) and Danielle Geesling (Turon). Other town leaders are played by Gale Rose, Jack Ewing, Marisa Gwinn, Bill Hunter, Ann Ruder, Angela McGraw and Kelley Bishop (all of Pratt). The teenagers are played by De’Nae Torres (Greensburg), Tiffany Nixon and Maranda Moody (Medicine Lodge), Dani Culp (Zenda), Josh Powell (Pratt), Royal Daily (Raytown, Mo.) and Chris Best (Meade). Dakota Tucker (St. John) plays Ren’s “redneck”friend, Willard.
 
The dance troupe, led by Choreographer Melissa Jacobs (Pratt) includes: Krista Wilson, Macy Waddle, Brittany Steel, Maranda Wingfield, Anna Stotts and Jayten Strunk (all of Pratt), Sara Seals (Halstead), Alando Williams (Bahamas), Dondre Davis (Wichita), Antonio Neal (St. Louis), Dustin Hackett and Jeremy Fisher (both of Marshall, Mo.), should wow audiences with several energetic numbers.
 
The “bad boys”, Chuck Crantson and his cronies, are played by Dustin Hackett (Marshall, Mo.), Nick Heim and Gary Tapia (both of Pratt). Jeremy Patterson (Pratt) not only serves as technical director, but makes his cameo appearance as Cowboy Bob as well.
 
The cast is rounded out by several choruses including the teen ensemble: Julia Poindexter, Kasy Arensman (Norwich), Tamela Price (Cheney), Emily Melia (Larned), Brooke Fischer and Brenna Dick (both of Medicine Lodge), Jamie Pugh (Derby), Christina Baril, Lauren Voss, and Elizabeth Ash (all of Pratt), and Alex Romans (Ashland). The Burger Blast Kids: Dani Grey, Samantha Harrison, Haley Mitchell, Cheyenne Hankins, Emma Gwinn, Emma Twigg, Nicole Voss, Tristan Grey, Jacob Evans, Blake Becker, Amber Jellison-Harris (all of Pratt) and Kayley Geesling (Turon). The Kids’ Choir: Abby Geesling (Turon), Rebecca Ruder, Allison Clark, Hunter Egging, Abram Gwinn, Olivia Gallaugher, Madalynn Wilson, Caleb Powell, AJ Arensdorf, Summya Adigun, Alyssa McGraw, and  Mackenzie Zimmerman (all of Pratt). And finally, the Bomont Church Choir: Bill Hunter, Gale Rose, Kelly Bishop, Marisa Gwinn, Ann Ruder, Junnae Landry, Patrice Egging, Janet Ervin, Angie Branscom, Mandy Wingfield, and Jordan Ervin (all of Pratt), Eric Geesling, Garrett Geeling (Turon) and Ellen Larson (Cunningham).
 
 
Music Director, J.J. Rupe will lead the live band which will consist of Rupe on drums, pianist Duane Hanks, guitarists Brian Beaman and Will Rempe as well as Tammy Thimesch on fiddle during a specialty number.
 
For more information, please contact Lora Lobmeyer at (620) 450-2212.