October 3, 2001

Footloose is a Explosion of Music and Dance

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI - The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Mainstage will be the center for high energy entertainment when it features the Broadway musical, Footloose, on Sunday, October 14, 7:00 p.m. The source for this high energy comes from the music and the muscle power choreographed into the show

It's a story of teenage emotional struggles - divorcing parents, moving to a new town, being the new kid and dating. Top it off with the new town having a ban on dancing puts the hero, Ren McCormack over the edge. Ren is a free spirit that the townspeople see as a rebel and a troublemaker. Up against the powerful Reverend Moore, Ren leads the fight to overturn the town's ban on dancing and for the opportunity to date the Reverend's daughter, Ariel.

After an emotional struggle, the message the whole town learns -- it's no sin to be young.

The 1984 movie called Footloose captured the hearts of America with songs like "Let's Hear It For The Boy," "Holding Out For A Hero," "Almost Paradise," and the title song "Footloose." Now this new musical will have you on your feet with both the original and new songs.

Footloose was adapted for stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. Dean Pitchford also wrote the original screenplay and lyrics. Tom Snow wrote the music for the stage production and music from the movie was written by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman. Daniel Stewart directed and choreographed the stage production.

Tickets for the performance of Footloose at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Mainstage are available by calling (269) 927-1221. Students (kindergarten through college) and senior adults (60 and over) receive a 10 percent discount off single ticket prices. Special group rates are available to parties of 20 or more. These groups receive 15 percent savings on ticket prices. For further information about group rates and special arrangements, call the Group Coordinator at (269) 927-8109. Advance Limo Service is sponsoring this performance of Footloose.

The 1,505-seat Mendel Center Mainstage Theater offers state-of-the-art acoustics and comfortable seating in elegant surroundings. Other amenities include free, lighted parking; handicap accessibility (inside and out); an array of special services, friendly ushers and support personnel.

The Mendel Center is located within 30 minutes of Niles and 40 minutes from Kalamazoo or South Bend. Located on the Napier Avenue campus of Lake Michigan College, the Mendel Center is one mile east of I-94 on Napier Avenue (Exit 30) in Benton Township, Michigan.