Photo Flash: First Look at Christian Community Theatre's FOOTLOOSE

Christian Community Theatre is following up their inaugural 2011 summer season with an explosive production of the high-energy dance musical, Footloose, opening Friday, August 10 - and playing through Sunday, August 19. Press night is scheduled for Friday, August 10 at 7:00 p.m. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Inspired by the wildly popular 1984 movie, Footloose thrilled Broadway audiences for nearly two years. It's a story of American spirit - a carefree city kid transplanted to a conservative rural town where rock 'n roll and dancing are forbidden. This heartfelt story is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

Footloose, the stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, is based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. The musical features all the chart-topping music from the film ("Almost Paradise," "Holding Out For A Hero," "Let's Hear It For The Boy," etc.) mixed with new material written specifically for the stage musical. The score contains music and lyrics by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford, with additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman.

The cast of Footloose will be led by Robert Head (Moritz in Spring Awakening at Live On Stage, Ensemble in White Christmas at Lakewood, a Nicest Kid in Hairspray with Broadway Rose and Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Broadway Rose) as Ren McCormack. Claire Flatz is making her Christian Community Theater debut in the role of Ariel Moore. She has also appeared in several productions with Christian Youth Theater performing in Alice the Looking Glass Girl and High School Musical 2 on stage. She has also performed in several shows with Ethington Theater at Grand Canyon University. Robert and Claire join a cast of 48 local performers who will help populate the town of Bomont.

Footloose will be directed by J. Scott Lapp. After directing last summer’s dazzling production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mr. Lapp returns for a second summer to stage the highly explosive stage musical Footloose! Recent credits include working as the Assistant Director on Broadway’s Bonnie & Clyde and A Room With A View at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, CA. Choreography will be by Chelsea Nicole, an alumnus of The Pulse 2010 Teacher Workshop and the 2012 Stage Door Connections Workshop with Andy Blankenbuehler in New York. Her recent choreography credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, 13 and successful runs of The Wedding Singer, Hairspray and Honk. Kristi Foster is joining the team as Musical Director. After directing and choreographing numerous CYT productions, she's glad to get back to her music directing roots. Having worked with Lakewood Theatre Company, Broadway Rose Theatre Company, and Northwest Children's Theater, Ms. Foster is an experienced vocal coach and performer.

Footloose will play at The Washburn Performing Arts Center at the Washougal High School, August 10-19, 2012. For tickets, scheduling and further information, visit www.cytvanport.org.

Photo credit: Jeff Seibel

Claire Flatz as Ariel Moore & Larry Taylor as Chuck Cranston

Amy M. Tyler as Rusty, Robert Head as Ren McCormack and Claire Flatz as Ariel Moore

Casey Pitel as Willard Hewitt & Robert Head as Ren McCormack

Amy M. Tyler as Rusty & Casey Pitel as Willard Hewitt

Robert Head as Ren McCormack & Claire Flatz as Ariel Moore

Karl Johnson as Reverend Shaw Moore