Get ready to cut loose at ‘Footloose’

Meadow Brook Theatre, Michigan’s largest producing professional theatre, has been located on the campus of Oakland University since it was established in 1966 when, under the direction of Woody Varner and Don O’Dowd, they broke ground to bring Matilda Wilson’s vision of having a professional theatre on campus to life.

This year, as Meadow Brook presents its 58th season, a new chapter in the relationship between Meadow Brook Theatre and Oakland University has begun. Meadow Brook Theatre, working with the Cabinet of Oakland University, started a collaboration between Oakland University’s School of Music Theatre and Dance (OUSMTD) and Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT).

This collaboration affords the students in OUSMTD the opportunity to work alongside the professional directors, choreographers, musicians, designers and Actors’ Equity Association actors at MBT during one show in MBT’s season. Thus, adding a professional credit to their burgeoning resume while they are still students. This experience will give them not only working knowledge of how a professional theater operates but will also give them a leg up professionally when they embark on their own careers in the competitive professional theatre environment.

Footloose — the hit musical based on the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon — will be the first show to be produced by this collaboration. It runs January 8 through February 2, 2025, at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester.

Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, this stage adaptation by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie features music from the Oscar-nominated score by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman, as well as dynamic new songs by Pitchford and Tom Snow.

“We’re pleased to be able to offer students from OU’s MTD the chance to work alongside our professionals on this project,” said Travis Walter, MBT artistic director and an Oakland University alum (CAS ’02). “Our audiences are going to love the energy they’ll bring.

“Working with director Tyrick Wiltez Jones, whose Broadway credits include Hairspray and Finian’s Rainbow, is a chance for the students to see a professional director’s process and give them a contact with someone active in the New York theatre scene,” Walter added.

Jones is excited to be involved in the collaboration, as well.

“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to introduce the OUSMTD students into the professional world of theatre,” Jones said. “I’m sure it will benefit all the artists involved.”

Illustration by Chet Johnson

Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago, who moves with his mother to the small town of Bomont, where dancing has been outlawed. McCormack’s love of dance quickly attracts the attention of the local preacher (Shaw) who pushed for the ban, as well as the affections of the reverend’s rebellious daughter (Ariel), who sets her sights on McCormack as he challenges the community to reverse the ban and heal from the tragedy that has kept their hearts from dancing.

“Footloose is a story that most people think is about dance, but it’s really about loss and forgiveness,” Jones said.

The Actors’ Equity Association members of the cast include: Caleb Berméjo (Ren McCormack), Nadia Ra’Shaun (Ariel Moore), and Ron Williams (Rev. Shaw Moore), along with Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin (Vi Moore), Tauren Hagans (Ethel McCormack), Domanick Anton Hubbard (Cowboy Bob/Lyle), Cody Jenkins (Chuck Cranston), Ethan Langan (Willard Hewitt), Richard Marlatt (Wes Warnicker/Principal Clark), Laura Renee Mehl (Rusty), Caroline Moulios (Ensemble), and Stacy White (LuLu Warnicker/Betty Blast) as well as MBT acting intern Jessica Boehmer.

The cast also includes 13 students from Oakland University’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance, including: Rileigh Bautel (Urleen), Wyatt Cleaveland (Garvin), Isabelli Buendia (Wendy Jo), Faith Green (Cop), Yeshua Hardy (Jeter), Cali Eugene Hill (Ensemble), Alexander Hernandez (Bickle), Aaron Jackson (Travis), Naomi Jarvis (Swing), Caleb Korneisel (Ensemble), Deagan Krohn (Coach Dunbar), Alden Tewsley (Swing), and Calleigh Wilson (Ensemble).

The OU students that auditioned for and were cast by the New York based creative team of Jones, music director Alex Parrish, and choreographer Kristen Brooks Sandler, are embracing the collaborative process.

“It’s been an amazing opportunity for us to work with people who have been in this industry for a while,” said Hardy, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in musical theatre. “Usually, we work with directors who are also our professors and designers who are part of the OUSMTD program, but with this we’re working with professionals who are in the industry right now. So, it’s been a great opportunity to learn from them and make connections.”

Bautel echoed her castmate’s sentiment.

“It’s been a really fun experience and I really appreciate having the opportunity to work with some of the more experienced performers at Meadow Brook Theatre,” she said.

The OUSMTD students are also enjoying having their collegiate peers involved in the experience with them, as well.

“It’s definitely been helpful having our peers around us and sharing this experience with us,” Bautel said. “It’s been amazing.”

The professional design team for Footloose has also had student assistants from OUSMTD shadowing them and learning their process of creating designs in a professional setting.

Scenic Designer and Properties Director Kristen Gribbin worked with student assistants Ash Ritter and Trish Brown. Costume Designer Karen Kangas-Preston worked with student assistant Bex Papazian. Other production staff involved in the production include Choreographer and Intimacy Director Kristen Brooks Sandler, Music Director Alex Parrish, Lighting Designer Eric Van Tassell, Sound Designer Kate Wecker, Stage Manager Brittanie Nichole Sicker, and Assistant Stage Manager Lee Cleaveland.

The OUSMTD students will be accompanied by a band of professional musicians. In addition to leading the band, Parrish plays keyboard with Alissa Hetzner as second keyboard. The band also includes Ian McEwen (reed), Edward Birch or Gordon Krupsky (drums), Andrew Toering (guitar 1), Brad Linden (guitar 2), and Greg Platter (bass).

While Footloose is the first official collaboration between MBT and OUSMTD, the relationship between the two organizations has been mutually benefiting each other for many years.

Along with Walter being an OU alum, three other full-time staff are also OU graduates: Elizabeth Schoen (Reckinger), director of Development and Marketing (CAS ’95); LisaMarie Gabriele (Kaleita), Group Sales Manager (CAS ’85); and Melissa Gabriele, Box Office Attendant (CAS ’21).

Many current Oakland University students and alumni are also employed on a part-time basis at MBT, including: Izzy Krzewski, Annabel Pulman, Alexa Huss, Abby Gora, Raquel Pena-Aguilera, Julia Schoen, Anja Boelter, Anaelle Thibault, Kaleigh Crechiolo, Annie Eloise Findlay, Jacob Gonzales, Paul Butterfield, Lynx Mallett, Brady Jacot (alumni), Lizzie Richards, Antonio Vettraino (alumni), and Daniel Frost.

Tickets range from $39 to $48 and can be purchased at MBT’s box office by calling 248-377-3300 or stopping by in person at 207 Wilson Hall. Alumni, faculty and student discounts are offered at the box office or you may purchase tickets online at ticketmaster.com (discounts will not apply). Footloose is suggested for audience members in middle school and up.

Footloose is made possible through the generous support of Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.

Meadow Brook Theatre is a nonprofit, cultural institution serving southeast Michigan for more than 55 years. For additional information, please visit www.mbtheatre.com or call 248-377-3300.

‘Footloose’ Performance Schedule

• Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m.

• Friday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m.

• Saturday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m.

• Sunday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m.

• Friday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m.

• Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• Sunday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.

• Friday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m.

• Saturday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.

• Sunday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m.

• Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.