Footloose

One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results.  When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home.  When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid.

The heartfelt story that emerges 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.

Music by Tom Snow | Lyrics by Dean Pitchford | Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie | Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford | Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman

Footloose is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals.  www.rnh.com

Generously sponsored by:  Pasta Vita

Purchase tickets on line now, please follow this link. Tickets can also be purchased by calling our box office on 860.767.7318.

Cody Ryan (Ren McCormack) graduated from The Hartt School of Music, PTTP in 2010 and is excited to be back in Connecticut to perform for the first time since. After graduation, he quickly found himself traveling the world as a lead singer aboard the Silver Spirit with Jean Ann Ryan Productions. He has appeared as Tommy Walker in The Who’s Tommy, Bill/Paul in Kiss Me, Kate!, Nanki Poo in The Mikado, Kevin Quincy in Hello Out There at Goodspeed Opera House’s Festival of New Artists, and helped debut Laura Eason’s world premiere stage adaptation of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer at Hartford Stage Co. He was also a finalist in 2012’s Broadway’s Next Sensation competition at the NYMF festival.

 

Elise Arsenault (Ethel McCormack) is thrilled to be making her debut at the Ivoryton Playhouse!  Recent credits include the world premier of Beat Generation at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Avenue Q (Elliott Norton Award-Outstanding Ensemble) at the Lyric Stage Company,  The King & I at Ocean State Theatre Company, and Hairspray (Moss Hart Award) at New Bedford Festival Theatre.  Elise has toured nationally with Missoula Children’s Theatre and has performed with numerous regional theatres including Imagination Stage, Discovery Theater, Washington Shakespeare Company, Theater of the First Amendment, Artistic New Directions and Adventure Theater.  Elise is a graduate of George Mason University (B.A.I.S. Musical Theater) and completed a classical acting program at Oxford University (BADA).   http://www.elisearsenault.com/

 

Edward Juvier* (Reverend Shaw Moore) is excited to make his debut at Ivoryton and thrilled to be working with friends old and new in this production of Footloose. He has appeared in the Broadway and National tour productions of Les Miserables. Other NY credits: Fanny (York); Smoking Bloomberg (NYMTF Best of Fest Award); Drat! The Cat! (ODTC). Some Regional/Stock credits: Disney’s Aladdin (Genie, Regional Premiere); The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho, Kevin Kline Nomination); I Do! I Do! (Michael); Bat Boy (Rick/Lorraine); Guys & Dolls (Nicely-Nicely); Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Max); Man of La Mancha (Sancho Panza); I Love You…Now Change (Man 2); Oklahoma! (Jud); A Funny…Forum (Pseudolus)

 

Traci Bair* (Vi Moore) is thrilled to be performing at Ivoryton Playhouse for the summer.  National Tours: Grace Farrell in Annie, NETworks; Ice Queen in Cirque Dreams, Cirque Productions.  Regional: Fantine in Les Miserables, Riverside Theatre; Katherina Cavalieri in Amadeus, Maltz Jupiter Theatre; Mary Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life, Lyric Theatre; Ensemble in Sweeney Todd, Barrington Stage; Allegra in Pandora’s Box, NYMF; Papagena in The Magic Flute, Seagle Music Colony.  B.M. from Oklahoma City University.

 

 

Zoë Kassay (Ariel Moore) is thrilled to be here at the Ivoryton  Playhouse!  Zoë is a proud graduate of the Hartt school with a BFA  in musical theatre. Some of her favorite roles include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Doralee in 9 to 5, Ado Annie in Oklahoma, Winnie in Annie Get Your Gun, Hedy in H2$, Eve/Mama in Children of Eden, Lina Lamont from Singing in the Rain, Val in A Chorus Line, and Penny in Hairspray.

 

 

Melissa McClean (Lulu Warnicker) appeared last at the Ivoryton Playhouse as Prudy Pingleton in Hairspray. Other roles here include Gymnasium in Forum, Miss Framer in Lettuce and Lovage, Aunt Gert in Lost in Yonkers.  She also appeared in Joseph….Dreamcoat and The Robber Bridegroom.  She’s performed with Chester ‘s Meeting House Players in The Sister’s Rosensweig, Crimes of The Heart, Earth and Sky, The Glass Menagerie.  She’s been on 3 tours with American Family Theater- Wizard of Oz, Babes in Toyland, A Christmas Carol. She holds a BFA from the UCONN.

 

George Lombardo (Wes Warnicker) considers the Ivoryton Playhouse his second home, having performed here on and off since 2001. His debut performance for the Ivoryton Playhouse foundation was in “drag” as the Old Lady in the Shoe in Toyland in 2005. His most notable role here was Cheswick in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  George has performed with many professional and non-professional theaters throughout Connecticut, including The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre, River Rep, Clockwork Repertory and Spirit of Broadway Theatre. He has played such diverse roles as Sancho in Man of La Mancha, Sam Byck in Assassins, Sister Amnesia in Nunsense Amen, Horton the Elephant in Seusical the Musical, and Enoch Snow in Carousel. A classically trained tenor, George has sung with Connecticut Opera, CONCORA, and other professional ensembles and Opera companies.

 

Kevin DeChello (Coach Roger Dunbar) is thrilled to be part of Ivoryton Playhouse’s Footloose. Favorite roles include: Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream); George Spelvin (Actor’s Nightmare); George Spelvin (Idiot Kings). Kevin has a BFA in Acting from UCONN.

 

 

 

Ashley Jeudy* (Rusty) is so excited to be apart of this production of Footloose! She hails from Long Island, NY and has a B.F.A. with a concentration in Musical Theater from Howard University . Some of her favorite shows she’s been apart of include Aida (Aida), Little Shop of Horrors (Ronette), Company (April), Rocky Horror (Magenta), and Once on this Island (Timoune) to name a few.

 

 

Sarah Kozlowski (Urleen) is ecstatic to be with Ivoryton Playhouse for the first time this summer! Some of her favorite credits include: Come From Away (Bonnie) at Goodspeed’s Festival of New Artists, A Christmas Carol (Flying ghost) at Hartford Stage, A Chorus Line (Maggie), Miss Saigon (Ellen), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive), and Chicago (Roxie). She has also worked as a choreographer, most recently in the Dallas – Fort Worth area with Texas Family Musicals. Sarah is a proud graduate of the Hartt School with a B.F.A. in Musical theatre and a proud student of the late Kevin Gray.

 

Laura Jean Spineti (Wendy Jo) is delighted to make her debut at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Footloose! She most recently appeared as Fan in Hartford Stage’s A Christmas Carol, and was asked to join their workshop and reading of the new stage adaptation of Pride and Prejudice as Mary Bennet, under the direction of Michael Wilson. Other credits include Goodspeed Musical’s production of Radio Girl, (Lucky Little Radio Girl), Goodspeed 2011 Gala (Annie), National Tour of Annie (Duffy/Annie U/S). She also performed with Shirley Jones in The Bushnell’s 50th Anniversary of The Music Man (Gracie Shinn). Laura was a featured singer in the 2011, 2012, and upcoming 2013 Cabaret Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Other favorite roles include: West Side Story (Maria), Seussical Jr. (Gertrude McFuzz), The Secret Garden (Mary Lennox), Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte), and The Sound Of Music (Brigitta), The Wiz, Snow White, Oklahoma (Dream Laurey) and Into The Woods (The Baker’s Wife).

 

Michael Wright (Chuck) is thrilled to be making his Ivoryton Playhouse debut! National Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas) w/ Ted Neeley and Corey Glover.  Regional: Bat Boy: The Musical (Bat Boy), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Simeon), Rent (Mr. Jefferson), Grease (Johnny Casino), Battlecry (World Premiere).  Recently, Michael was seen on stage with the Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre Company in Bridgeport, CT, where he has been a member for the last three seasons. BA, Emerson College.

 

 

Matt Gregory (Lyle) is excited to be making his Ivoryton debut this summer!  Originally from Madison , CT , Matt currently lives in New York City where he is entering his senior year at New York University in the fall pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre.  Favorite past credits include: Spring Awakening (Hanschen), Songs for a New World (Man 2), and Company (David). Matt is also a composer and will be workshopping his newest children’s musical, Pajama Sam, in New York City in August. mattgregorymusic.com

 

 

Brett Bainer (Travis) is thrilled to be returning to Ivoryton for another beautiful summer! Ivoryton credits: Hairspray and Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. He just recently finished the Two Beans Productions/TheatreWorks USA’s Children’s National Tour of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!” Film & Television: The Delivery Man and Person of Interest.  www.brettbainer.com

 

 

 

Karen Albrecht (Betty Blast / Irene) This is Karen’s first appearance at the Playhouse. Favorite recent regional theatre roles roles include Mama Rose (Gypsy), Fräulein Schneider (Cabaret), Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Nettie (Carousel), and Woman 1 (Love….Change) with Lyric Stage Dallas, Lyric Stage of Oklahoma, and Waco Summer Musicals,  Karen began her performing career in opera, and has had leading roles (Queen of the Night/The Magic Flute, Adele/Die Fledermaus, Zerlina/Don Giovanni) with opera houses in Germany and the US, including Munich, Fort Worth, and Oklahoma City. She is a professor of Voice and Music Theatre at McLennan College and recently relocated to the greater NYC area.

 

Patrick H. Dunn* (Willard Hewitt) is thrilled to return to Ivoryton Playhouse, last appearing in 2009’s Godspell. NY Credits; A Christmas Carol/Madison Square Garden, Parade/The Gallery Players, Where the Lillie’s Bloom/Minetta Lane Theater, The Prince and the Pauper/Radio City Ent, First Kids/WetrockProd. Regional; The Pirates of Penzance/Bristol Riverside Theatre, Genesius: The Musical/Goodspeed Musicals, My Fair Lady/NLP.  Patrick has been a soloist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, toured the world as Disney’s ‘Prince Charming’, and internationally with Sony Records London group ‘Teatro’, who has a sold over a million records worlwide. Patrick is a graduate of the Hartt School at the University of Hartford with a BFA in Musical Theater and has the loans to prove it.

 

Larry Lewis (Principal Harry Clark) is pleased to return to the Ivoryton Playhouse appearing as Mr. Brownlow in last summer’s production of Oliver! Larry was a featured performer in the 2011 Ivoryton Playhouse 100th Anniversary Gala Event. Other Playhouse productions include Senator Rawkins in the 2010 production of Finian’s Rainbow, as HC in the 2008 production of The Rainkmaker, and Herbie in the 2006 production of Gypsy. Others include Major Markinson in A Few Good Men, Virgil Blessing in Bus Stop, and John Hancock in 1776, Regional credits include Harrison Howell in the Colonial Theater’s production of Kiss Me Kate, Dillard in the Marterre Theater Company’s production of Foxfire at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and as Jake in the Magestic Rose production of Jake’s Women.

 

Felix B. Gregoire (Jeter) is overjoyed and grateful to return to the Ivoryton stage. His favorite IPH roles include being the Tango understudy in Evita for which he performed at least twice, L.A. in Gypsy, Dick in Big River and King Simon of LeGree in The King and I. A native of Old Saybrook, Brandon has worked up and down the shoreline as a performer, dance instructor and choreographer. Also, he had the chance to perform regionally with La Comedia Dinner Theatre (OH), Hackmatak Playhouse (NH) and The Orpheum Theatre (KS).  As a dancer, Brandon had the opportunity to perform at the Alvin Ailey dance studios in New York City for the New York Jazz Choreography Project with his school in May of 2011. Brandon studies Dance at Wichita State University where he hopes to graduate with a B.F.A. in Performing Arts with concentrations in Dance and Choreography. Recently, in March of this year, Brandon had the opportunity to perform at the Central Region of the American College Dance Festival at Cap Girardeau, MO.

 

Derek Johnson* (Bickle) is thrilled to make a return adventure to the Ivoryton Playhouse for his second production! Derek is a southern transplant from good ol’ Kentucky to New York City. Graduate Northern Kentucky University class of 2011, BFA Musical Theatre. Past productions include; Souther Rain-ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop(ED) How to Succeed Without Really Trying (Bud Frump), Hairspray (IQ), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster #2), CATS (Mungojerrie), West Side Story (Baby John), among many others.  Proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

 

Sal Pavia (Garvin / US Ren) is so excited to be making his Ivoryton Playhouse debut in, Footloose the Musical.  Sal is from Staten Island, New York and graduate of Wagner College with a B.A. in Theatre Performance. Past credits include Emmett in the P.E.G. Tour of Legally Blonde the Musical, Charlie, Brigadoon, and Chip , Spelling Bee.

 

 

 

Bethany Fitzgerald (Chicago Trio / Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at Ivoryton Playhouse! Previous Ivoryton credits: Hairspray (Amber Von Tussle), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Candy Starr), The Full Monty (Joni) Regional Credits: Long Wharf Theatre: The Happy Prince (The Child) Playhouse on Park: Chicago (Roxie Hart), Play It Again, Sam (All Multiple Women) Hartford Children’s Theatre: Hairspray (Amber Von Tussle), Fame! The Musical (Carmen Diaz) Texas Family Musicals: The Night the Music Died (Rosie Hamlin) Southern CT. State University Credits: Chicago (Roxie Hart), Anything Goes (Erma), and A MidSummer Night’s Dream (Titania).

 

Rebecca Maddy (Chicago Trio / Ensemble) is happy to be performing with the Ivoryton Playhouse. She is a soon to be a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program at the University of Hartford. She has been featured in such performances as Big River, Miss Saigon and Time After Time, as well as Taming of the Shrew, and Pippin. Her film credits include promotion videos for Lake Compounce and Independent films entitled Creepy Crawley and Grandpa is a Weirdo.

 

 

Dené Hill (Chicago Trio / Ensemble) is thrilled to be with working with Ivoryton Playhouse this summer.  Dené was recently in regional productions of Hair and Hairspray. In 2012, she made her Eastern European Debut in a tribute concert to Muslim Magomeav, just after winning North America’s largest outdoor opera competition.  Dené has performed roles with the Opera Company of Brooklyn, New York Lyric Opera, Vocal Productions NYC, Opera Manhattan Repertory Theatre and more. While her voice is her preferred instrument, she has modeled in print catalogs such as J.C. Penny, acted in a Vonage commercial and appeared on television shows such as the Fox new hit drama, The Following, CBS show, A Gifted Man, and more. Dené received a music scholarship and graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington. She also studied at Accademia dell’Arte, Arezzo, Italy.

Torie Chiappa (Ensemble / US All Female Roles) is thrilled to be back at her favorite playhouse! She was last seen at the Ivoryton Playhouse as Bet in the 2012 production of Oliver! She is extremely excited this season to not only be on stage, but behind the scenes as a summer intern. Torie’s favorite roles consist of; Boris The Spy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The March Hare in Alice in Wonderland, Polly Pepper in Charleston,  and Alice Beane in Titanic, for which she was nominated as best supporting actress in the 2012 CHMTA. Aside from acting, Torie loves figure skating. She is an elite level competitor and skates on behalf of the Hungarian International Team.

 

Molly Garbe (Female Ensemble) is so excited to return to the Ivoryton Playhouse! She was last seen in Hairspray and The Producers. Other credits include: The Marvelous Wonderettes (Lake Ontario Playhouse/Betty Jean), Little Women The Musical (International Tour), Parade (Secret Theatre/Mary Phagan). Independent Film: Local Warming (Brooklawn Productions).

 

 

 

Director:  Richard Amelius

Musical Director:  Michael Morris

Choreographer:  Richard Amelius

Stage Manager:  Johanna K. Levai *

Assistant Stage Manager: Theresa Stark *

Scenic Designer:  Cully Long

Lighting Designer:  Marcus Abbott

Costume Design:  Kari Crowther

Hair Design:  Joel Silvestro

* member of Actors Equity

Purchase tickets on line now, please follow this link. Tickets can also be purchased by calling our box office on 860.767.7318.

Join us for an opening night reception with the cast following the Friday, July 5 performance.  Light refreshments will be served.

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Free Summer Tent Events:

Wednesday nights from 6:30pm before the 7:30pm performance

July 10 Teen Night –  Ivoryton Playhouse is proud to partner with the Community Music School (Essex) to bring you Teen Night!  Community Music School will be providing beverages and snacks free of charge.  Music will be provided by teen pianist Jonathon Thomas.  Exciting raffle, too!  Prizes (all music related items including iTunes gift cards) will be awarded on the night – raffle tickets $2.00 each or an arms length for $10.00

CMS has been enriching the Connecticut Valley-Shore communities by offering outstanding private and group music instruction for all ages since 1983. Public performances and community outreach programs are a key part of our nonprofit mission, and we sponsor many ensembles, orchestras and events covering a broad spectrum of musical interests.

Footloose ticket prices for under 12’s is $15.00 – student prices just $20.00!

July 17 Cowboy Night – one for Cowboy Bob!  Boots, bandanas and spurs welcome!  Wings and sliders provided by Ivoryton Tavern.  Wine and beer supplied by Shoreline Discount Liquors.  Classic country and western music performed by Jeff Martinson.

Tent events are sponsored by Guilford Savings Bank

 

Everybody Cut Footloose! Running until Sunday, July 28 at the Ivoryton Playhouse!

PRESS RELEASE 06/18/13

Kick off your Sunday shoes! Footloose at the Ivoryton Playhouse

Ivoryton:  One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the Ivoryton Playhouse stage on July 3rd.  The movie was released in 1984 and the soundtrack reached #1 on the Billboard charts and sold over 17 million copies worldwide. Its journey to Broadway began in 1996 when director Walter Bobbie collaborated on a stage adaptation with Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow. FOOTLOOSE finally previewed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in the summer of 1998, and opened on Broadway on October 22nd. The next day, the show broke the box office record for the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it continued to thrill audiences into July, 2000.

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home.  When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid.

The heartfelt story that emerges 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 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.

The Playhouse is excited to welcome Richard Amelius, Artistic Director of Delaware River Theatre Collective, as director of this production and Michael Morris, Director of Music at the Hartt School, as musical director. Mike brings with him some very talented Hartt School alumni including Patrick H. Dunn* (last seen here in GODSPELL in 2009), Zoe Kassay and Cody Ryan. The set design is by Cully Long, costumes by Kari Crowther and lighting design by Marcus Abbott.

Music by Tom Snow | Lyrics by Dean Pitchford | Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie | Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford | Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman

FOOTLOOSE  opens in Ivoryton on July 3rd and runs through July 28th. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Generously sponsored by:  Pasta Vita

Members of the press are welcome at any performance.  Please call ahead for tickets. *member of Actors Equity

Purchase tickets on line now, please follow this link. Tickets can also be purchased by calling our box office on 860.767.7318.

 

 

Looking for something to do? The Ivoryton Playhouse was voted Best Place to See Live Theatre by readers of the Shoreline Times.