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MILLSTONE – After being forced to perform in a remote environment in the 2020-21 school year due to a coronavirus pandemic, Millstone Township High School students are excited to return to the stage to perform the musical “Footloose”.
The musical will be shown at 7pm on March 4-5 at the Millstone Performing Arts Center at Millstone Township High School. Tickets can be purchased in advance at mpac.thundertix.com for $ 8 for students and $ 9 for adults or at the entrance for $ 10.
To participate in the show you need to have a mask, regardless of the status of vaccination against COVID-19.
Based on the 1984 film of the same name, the production of “Footloose” in high school is a collaboration between director Lisamari Capuzzo, music director Heather Filhauer and choreographer Emily Dottie.
“Footloose” will be the first live performance at the school since 2020. The 2021 show “Making Magic” was shown by students remotely.
Footloose is the first a show at Millstone Township High School for eighth-grader Brian Denise, who stars Ren.
“Wren doesn’t stand still and doesn’t stop talking,” Brian said. “He fights for what’s right and he’s always in the mood for dancing and fun. I also can never stand still. “
Sixth-grader Bella Baldina makes her stage debut in high school as the main woman Ariel.
“Ariel is a girl who grew up listening to her father, who doesn’t allow her to dance after her brother’s death,” Bella said. “She listened to all his rules at home, but still goes out and dances. I should be more angry if she doesn’t listen to her parents because I don’t listen to my own. It’s amazing to see all my friends perform, and it’s fun to be in my character. “
Ariel’s father, the Rev. Shaw, is played by eighth-grader Brendan DeRose.
“He’s a very dynamic character,” Brendan said. “Shaw is domineering and trying to take control without thinking about what worries others. He banned dancing because he was overtaken by the death of his son. But in the end he realizes that it won’t help, that he only harms others and isn’t the only one who has lost someone. Personally, I would allow situations to play out if they do not hurt anyone. “
Speaking remotely last year, Brendan was happy to return in person, but admitted it was an adjustment.
“It’s okay, but it’s also weird,” he said. “There is interaction with everyone else and everything is staged again. Compared to last year, I have to be at rehearsals more often. And we have a lot more people this year. “
Also returning is eighth-grader Greta Vitug, who plays Rena’s mother, Ethel.
“Ethel realizes that Wren is not coming and tries to help him,” Greta said. “She’s a good character I can connect with. I also try to support people. “
Greta enjoys returning to the stage.
“I really enjoy coming back,” she said. “Virtually it was fun, but it wasn’t the same. It’s more harmonious here, and we interact with each other. “
Played by mother Ariel You are eighth-grader Gargi Patel.
“She’s relaxed and doesn’t have a big voice,” Gargi said. “She’s trying to find her voice and show herself more. People also call me relaxed, but I can stand up for myself more than she does. ”
“Footloose” is Gargi’s first show in high school, and she said, “It can be scary because it’s my first show, but I like his community. Everyone is so good and that’s what I enjoy doing. It’s fun for me. “
The role of Rusty is played by eighth-grader Isabella Merc, who said: “Growing up is very cheerful and hypergirl. She has so much energy, she is sometimes very dumb and you can go to her. I’m also very energetic, although she says things I wouldn’t say. ”
Commenting on the staging of the show, Isabella said: “It’s a lot of fun to have everyone here and friendship.”
Rusty’s girlfriend, Wendy Joe, is played by seventh-grader Mackenzie Natson.
“Wendy Joe is a good friend, a boy and she really wants a boyfriend,” Mackenzie said. “She’s a comic relief, and she’s here to joke. My friends say I also joke a lot, but I’m not in a hurry to find a guy. And she’s quiet sometimes, but I’m not. “
Mackenzie noted the difference between live and remote performances.
“It’s weird to be back,” she said. “It’s great to know I’m performing live, and it’s amazing that I’m not hiding behind the phone.”
We end the group of the friends is sixth-grader Kayla Williams as Urlin, who said her character is “awkward and can be funny. I also feel pretty funny and awkward. But she’s also trying to embarrass Rena, which I wouldn’t do. “
The sixth grader said, “It’s nice to know I can do it.”
Seventh-grader Zachary King said his character, Chuck Cranston, plays an antagonistic role.
“He’s a bad guy,” Zachary said. “Angry guy. The way he treats Ariel and Ren is really rude, and he makes Ariel do things. ”
Appearing on stage is what Zachary likes.
“It’s good,” he said. “You can perform in front of friends and family.”
Eighth-grader Angelina Scibilia, who works as a director, agreed that personal performances are beneficial.
“It’s more fun. It is difficult to increase. You see everything here, ”Angelina said.
