Tickets for the Newport Opera House Association’s production of the musical, FOOTLOOSE are going fast for all three performances, May 16, 17 and 18.  The community theatre show will feature a cast of 65 locals under the direction of Charles H. Massey, Executive Director of N.O.H. A.  Adapted from the popular 1984 feature film starring Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, the stage musical follows the main plot of the movie and includes many of the same Top 40 songs.  The Newport production will star Austin Jacobs as Ren and Amanda Odell as Ariel.  David Bailey will play the Reverend Shaw Moore and Laura Kessler will play his wife, Vi.  Others featured in the large cast include: Amanda Christensen, Joel Cote, Nick Cooper, Kai Eldredge, Heather Howe, Taylor Knapp, Kevin Corliss, Meg Cowan and Brian Prescott.   

While tickets are still available for each performance, many of the best seats are already filled and there will be very little, if any, to select from at the door.  Anyone interested in attending the show should call the Newport Opera House Box Office at (603) 863-2412 to order tickets.  Visa, MasterCard and Discover Card can be used in placing phone orders and tickets are $12.00 and $14.00.  The show on Friday and Saturday will start at 8:00pm and the Sunday performance will be a matinee at 2:00pm.  Doors to the theatre will open one half hour before performance.

The sound of the show is very much the sound of the 1980s and the look is much the same.  A large, brightly colored unit set provides the many different locations throughout the town.   Over 200 costumes are used to bring the story to life.  The action of the musical moves from Chicago to Bomont, Texas where Ren and his mother relocate once his father runs out on them.  It is in the town of Bomont where Ren soon discovers that dancing is not allowed in the city limits.  No dancing, no rock music, no fun…  What is there to do in this crazy town?  Ren turns it all around in this explosive musical about making a difference and fighting for what you believe in.  Parents learn to listen to their teen-age children and in turn the teenagers listen to their parents.  What happens in Bomont could well happen in any small town in this country.

FOOTLOOSE will be presented at the Newport Opera House on May 16, 17 and 18.  This community theatre production is being sponsored by Roymal Inc., and The Roy Malool Foundation.  The music for the show is under the direction of David Chaves and David Hoyt is the Production Stage Manager with Daniel Cherry as Assistant Director.  Kevin Corliss is the Technical Director and Deborah Cossingham is the Costume Designer assisted by Bobbi Violette and Judy Wilson.   Due to mature themes, this show may not be appropriate for very young children.