MTC School of Performing Arts to Present FOOTLOOSE, 8/3 & 4

Music Theatre of Connecticut School of Performing Arts presents FOOTLOOSE, a fully staged and costumed production performed by MTC School of Performing Arts students. The 1980s sensation comes to life on stage and features classic 80s hits including "Holding Out for a Hero", "Almost Paradise", "Let's Hear it for the Boy" and, of course, "Footloose."

"Footloose" will take place on Friday, August 3 at 7:30pm and Saturday, August 4 at 2pm at Long Lots School, 13 Hyde Lane in Westport, CT. Tickets are $15-$20 for adults and $12-$15 for students, and reservations are suggested. Tickets are available by calling Music Theatre of Connecticut at 203.454.3883 or visiting www.musictheatreofct.com

Loosely based on events that took place in the tiny, rural farming community of Elmore City, Oklahoma, the musical "Footloose" is based on the 1984 film which starred Kevin Bacon, John Lithgow, Lori Singer, Chris Penn, and Sarah Jessica Parker. "Footloose" tells the story of Ren McCormick, a teenager who was raised in Chicago and moves to a small town where the town government has banned dancing and rock music. Ren and his classmates want to have a senior prom, with music and dancing, and so must figure out a way to get around the law and Reverend Shaw Moore who makes it his mission in life to keep the town dance- and rock-free. The stage musical adaptation, written by Dean Pitchford, Tom Snow, Walter Bobbie and Kenny Loggins, opened at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre in October 1998. The original Broadway production gained a cult following and enjoyed a nearly two year run.

The cast features Ella Bloomingdale, Carolyn Cassell, Lucy de Lande Long, Emily Desser, Austen Ellis, Ginger Ellis, Jaylin Hopkins, Siri Kanter, Cassie Lang, Jamie Mann, Julia Marmelo, Annie McNeela, Ella Seo, Morgan Skinner, Tess Travers, Jennifer Westphal and Georgia Wright of Westport, Jessica Dionian, Caitlin Grogan, Sophia Jacobs, Maddy Lustberg, Isabelle Potash, Elissa Teles and Amanda Wrynn of Weston, Tori DiRocco, Ayla Hall, Colton Hall and Nicky Newman of Wilton, Patrick Agonito, Stephanie Barry and Alison Gentry of Fairfield, Agnes Bebon and Mark Lichtman of Easton, Srika Ponnavolu of New Canaan, Sophie Starkman of Norwalk, Julia Lerman of Bethel and Lexi Clark of South Glastonbury.

The production features Musical Direction and Staging by Marty Bongfeldt and is Directed by MTC co-founder Jim Schilling.

ABOUT MUSIC THEATRE OF CONNECTICUT
Music Theatre of Connecticut was founded in 1987 by Directors Kevin Connors and Jim Schilling. MTC’s professional mainstage company has presented 25 seasons of critically-acclaimed productions, including new works and buried treasures of the American musical theatre. MTC is recipient of the Connecticut Critics' Circle's highest honor, the Tom Killen Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Connecticut Professional Theatre and was presented with a Connecticut State Legislative Citation to commemorate this award. Productions presented at MTC have been nominated for Best Musical of the Connecticut theatre season and several others have gone on to have successful productions in New York and at other regional houses. MTC is a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization.

ABOUT MTC SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS
Music Theatre of Connecticut School of Performing Arts is Fairfield County’s most complete resource for the musical theatre, providing conservatory-style educational programming and professional musical theatre. The only organization of its kind in Connecticut, MTC was founded in 1987 by Directors Kevin Connors and Jim Schilling. Governed by an elected Board of Directors, MTC is a Certified Member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts - the first theatre school to be accepted for membership in this esteemed organization. MTC trains over 500 students per season and more than 4,000 audience members attend the seven full-scale productions each year.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call Music Theatre of Connecticut at 203.454.3883 or visit www.musictheatreofct.com

Photo by Jim Schilling