Music, dancing — based on ‘80s film — sure to make Stansbury High School’s first play packed with energy

Theater students at Stansbury High School are about to cut loose and kick off their Sunday shoes when the auditorium curtain rises Thursday evening with the school’s first musical “Footloose.”

The inaugural play for the drama department at SHS has been a learning experience for teacher and director Glen Carpenter, along with his students. Like any play, however, Carpenter is sure his student actors will be ready for opening night.

One of the challenges Carpenter has faced being at a new school, after transferring as drama teacher at Grantsville Junior High School, are the technical aspects.

“It’s a learning experience because we’re finding out all the technical challenges we’re facing,” Carpenter said. “For instance, we don’t have an orchestra pit. It’s in another room so we’re figuring out how it’s going to work.”

Carpenter is working on setting up a closed caption television system so the orchestra conductor can see the kids on stage and the actors can see the conductor as well.

“The audience will hear everything blended through the sound system,” he said. “It will be the same as if we use a musical track, but it gives the [orchestra] kids a chance to work on a live show.”

One of the reasons Carpenter selected “Footloose” as their first show at the new school is because of its high energy that’s shown through the intricate choreography.

“The kids are busting their butts on this show,” Carpenter said. “The dancing is going to be absolutely amazing.”

Carpenter said he solicited help from Stansbury’s dance teachers, Heidi Done, Angie Romney, Alison Bleazard and Courtney Hall, who is from Grantsville.

“The choreography, in my opinion, is a step above what they’ve been pushed to do before,” Carpenter said. “And that’s what all the kids have said. [‘Footloose’] is all dance. They’re having a blast and enjoying themselves.”

The musical “Footloose” is based on the 1984 film of the same name starring Kevin Bacon — which was filmed in Utah County including scenes at the Lehi Roller Mills. In 1998, a stage version of the film hit Broadway. However, the version SHS is performing isn’t the same as the original Broadway show. Instead, it’s the same version as the American 10th anniversary national tour.

“This [version] flows much better than when it originally opened,” Carpenter said. “They’ve cut and replaced songs, and the scenes flow so much better.”

He added that when he played Uncle Wes in Hale Center Theater’s production of “Footloose” a few years ago it was the original Broadway version.

“It was very cinematic in the way it was cut and this version flows so much better,” Carpenter said.

Although it does follow the same storyline as the film — with a dance-happy city boy relocating with his mother to a small town that outlaws dancing — Carpenter said it isn’t as “in your face as the movie with teens misbehaving.”

“Ariel is not like the Ariel in the movie,” he said. “Yes, she’s a wannabe bad girl, but she’s not the disrespectful girl in the movie. It’s toned down a bit. That’s one of the things I liked about the show. Chuck has also toned it down, he’s not as mean in this as he was in the movie. And it ends on a happy note because it is a musical.”

Being a program in a brand new school, Carpenter was surprised with the number of students — more than 100 — who came out to audition.

“I was very surprised and ecstatic because I’m a new teacher and a lot of the kids haven’t had me before,” he said. “I’ve always said this about Tooele County, the amount of talent we have amazes me.”

When Carpenter held callbacks for “Footloose” they lasted nearly six hours because it was difficult for him to narrow down his leads. He originally ended up casting 70 students but now the number is at 62 after some students felt they didn’t have the time to commit to the musical due to other extracurricular activities. Those who were cut, Carpenter said, have volunteered to be on the stage crew (comprised of about 15 kids), usher or help sew costumes.

Carpenter didn’t double cast his show so only one student will be playing each of the characters. He said with the combining of Grantsville and Tooele high school students at Stansbury High, the leads are a mix from both schools — and the majority are also involved in other activities.

Gavin Dale, who plays the lead character Ren McCormack, went to Tooele High School last year but Carpenter said he worked with him over the summer in Benson Grist Mill’s production of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” He also plays basketball and is a student body officer.

Jessica May is taking on the role of Ariel Shaw, who is the daughter of Reverend Shaw and is trying to rebel. She went to GHS last year and was very involved in the drama program there.

Rusty is played by Seini Tautua’a who went to Tooele and her love interest Willard is performed by Dallin Littlefield who attended GHS and is the student body vice president. Dax Levine plays the conservative Reverend Shaw while Mikel Baker plays his wife Vi.

“They’re really good, they just amaze me every time they go out there,” Carpenter said. “When I sit down and split the group and look at where they went to school last year, I would say we’re 30 to 40 percent Tooele and 50 to 60 percent from Grantsville. I haven’t had a problem with anyone not getting along.”

The students started music and dance rehearsals the second week of October and even with opening night fast approaching, Carpenter said he likes having a production this time of year even if the Thanksgiving holiday eats up some of their time.

“I like this time frame because this gives me the perfect opportunity to do three shows a year,” he said adding, they’ll be performing a classic play or work of Shakespeare at the end of February or beginning of March and another musical in the spring.

Something new Carpenter decided to do this year was have tickets available for purchase online at www.showtix4u.com and click on Utah. The front half of the auditorium will be reserved seating while the back half will be general admission.

“It’s the first time any of the district schools have been able to purchase tickets online in advance,” he said.

“Footloose” opens Thursday and runs through Tuesday, Dec. 8, except Sunday. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. in the SHS auditorium with a run time of two hours 15 minutes. Tickets are $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for students and seniors, $3.50 for children under 12 and for SHS students with an activity card.

Missy Thompson: missy@tooeletranscript.com