Childrens Acting Academy Presents FOOTLOOSE at McGinn/Casale Theatre, Now thru 4/7

New York's renowned Children's Acting Company of New York will present a stage production of FOOTLOOSE at the McGinn/Casale Theatre, 2162 Broadway (between 76^th and 77^th Streets) for four (4) performances from today, April 4, through Sunday, April 7, at 7:30 PM each night. Mimi Stuart, Artistic Director of The Children's Acting Academy, is the Producer. The production is directed by Evan Ross. Wilber Escobar is the choreographer. The Music Director is Mitchell Raftery.

All tickets are $20 and can be purchased by visiting iseats.net or by calling 212-579-0528. Tickets will also be sold at the McGinn/Casale Box Office on the days of the performances.

FOOTLOOSE, adapted from the 1984 film musical that starred Kevin Bacon, is a classic tale of teenage rebellion and repression that focuses on a dance-loving teenager named Ren who is in for a real case of culture shock when he and his family move from a big city to a small town. Though he tries hard to fit in, he can't quite believe he's living in a place where rock music and dancing are illegal. His only small pleasure is his friendship with a troubled but lovely young schoolmate, but she has a jealous boyfriend. There is also a Bible-thumping minister, who is responsible for keeping the town dance-free. With the senior prom around the corner, only Ren has the courage to initiate a battle to abolish the outmoded ban and revitalize the spirit of the repressed townspeople.

The cast is comprised of Children's Acting Company members, plus undergraduate students, one professional actress, and a few middle school children.

FOOTLOOSE is based on the Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie which wasbased on the Original Screenplay by Dean Pitchford. The Music is by Tom Snow and Lyrics are by Dean Pitchford. There is Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman. FOOTLOOSE is presented through special arrangements with R & H Theatricals.

The Children's Acting Academy, founded in 1972, is designed for talented youngsters who are interested in learning how to act and sing from industry professionals or who wish to build self confidence in their abilities to succeed in life.

The academy utilizes the Stanislavski, Strassberg and Meisner methods to teach acting. Students learn to behave logically and naturally. Concentration and relaxation are emphasized through sensory exercises, scene work and improvisation. Proper speech and voice are emphasized during every class session. While acting, singing and dancing classes are done in groups, there are opportunities to receive one-on-one instruction.

Acting classes feature instruction, observation and performance from professionals working on Broadway and on TV, film and radio and they also experience the business of show business by meeting with agents, managers and casting directors, touring TV studios and working on auditioning with theatre veterans.

Mimi Stuart, Artistic Director and owner of The Children's Acting Academy, joined the Academy's faculty in 2000 and bought the school shortly thereafter. A professional actress with many acting credits, she has much experience working with child actors, having served as Artistic Director at Saginaw Overnight Camp, directing two shows a summer and teaching drama and improv classes as well. She has taught acting at Kean University and voice and speech at NYU and Weist-Barron. She was the originator of The Children and Teen Musical Theatre, and Voice and Speech Program at HB Studio.

The acclaimed Children's Acting Academy has three New York branches - one located at 131 West 72^nd Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and the other two in Westchester County at Westchester Yoga Arts, 82 Centre Avenue, in New Rochelle and at The Westchester Dance Academy, 350 Lexington Avenue, in Mount. Kisco. For additional information, visit www.childrensactingacademy.com or call 212/860-7101.