Stagecrafters Youth Theatre to Let Loose with FOOTLOOSE This Month

Stagecrafters Youth Theatre, whose performers are ages 8 to 18, presents Footloose running July 20 through July 23 at the Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre on the Main Stage at 415 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067.

Based on the popular 1984 movie, Footloose is a musical about a city kid, Ren McCormack, who moves to a conservative rural town where dancing is not allowed. Ren, with the help of the Reverend Shaw's daughter, Ariel, and Willard, a country hick who becomes Ren's best friend, challenges the ban on dancing so the kids can have a senior prom, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy. This musical is filled with high-energy dancing, and features a blockbuster score that includes "Holding Out for a Hero," "Let's Hear It For The Boy" and of course, the title hit. This show is rated PG.

Footloose was adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie and is based on Pitchford's original 1984 screenplay of the same name. Music by Tom Snow, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford. Additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.

Footloose opened at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre on October 22, 1998, and ran for 709 performances until July 2, 2000. It was directed by Walter Bobbie with choreography by AC Ciulla. It was nominated for four Tony Awards.

Show times are July 20, 7 pm; July 21 7 pm; July 22, 2 pm and 7 pm; July 23, 2 pm. Show tickets are Youth $8 and Adults $14 each. Tickets may be purchased online at www.stagecrafters.org (online handling fees apply) or by phone at 248-541-6430 (10 am to 2 pm, M - F) using Visa or MasterCard. All seats are reserved and there are no refunds or exchanges on individual tickets. If shows have not sold out, tickets can be purchased at the box office one hour prior to the performance.

Stagecrafters Youth Theatre is a great way to introduce young people to live musical theatre. Although, it is a youth production, everyone will enjoy this exhilarating musical about the power of fun! Recommended for ages 4 & up.

Stagecrafters, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre, provides opportunities for members of the community to develop their talents and to volunteer their time to create an enriching, quality theatrical experience through its Main Stage, 2nd Stage, and Youth Theatre productions. Founded in 1956, Stagecrafters has been named "Best Community Theatre" by Hour Detroit Magazine readers, and "Best Place for Live Local Theatre" by Detroit Metro Times readers. The 2nd Stage show Trevor won awards at the 2017 Michigan AACTFEST in the categories of Outstanding Featured Actor, Outstanding Actor and the Golden Truck Award.

Stagecrafters offers shows that appeal to a wide variety of ages and interests and prides itself on providing professional quality shows at affordable prices, making the performing arts accessible to individuals in our "regional" community. Stagecrafters has been at the Baldwin Theatre since 1985.