Traditionally the Estevan Comprehensive School has staged a musical for the community once every two years.
But due to a timing issue, the school is going to offer a musical for the second straight year. And young people and adults involved with the show are thrilled at the prospect.
Students at the school have been rehearsing for the school鈥檚 production of Footloose. Performances will take place on Nov. 29 and 30 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 1 and 2 at 2 p.m. All four will be in the school鈥檚 cafetorium.
Evanne Wilhelm, who is the co-director of the musical, said the rehearsals are progressing well, and it helps that many of the kids are involved with a musical for the third time in four years.
鈥淯sually they only get two (musicals), and Footloose is a show that鈥檚 more challenging,鈥� Wilhelm told the Mercury. 鈥淭here鈥檚 definitely a lot of dramatic challenge with the acting. There鈥檚 a lot of dancing challenges, because it鈥檚 such a huge dance show.鈥�
The experienced cast and crew members have been mentoring the younger students who are in their first show.
鈥淭hey really have a strong sense of how important it is to pass that on to the next generation (of students), because I think the kids before them did a good job of that, too. I鈥檓 really pleased with my seniors this year. It鈥檚 going to be a really hard group to say good-bye to.鈥�
The school decided to do a musical this year, rather than continue with the traditional biennial schedule, because of the timing of some potential maternity leaves for the school鈥檚 staff.
Footloose has a cast of about 46 students, and a backstage crew of another 20 students. Another 10 or 20 youths will come on board for hair and makeup, and close to 20 staff and parent volunteers are working behind the scenes on various committees.
It seems like almost everyone in the school will be involved in some way, she said, or will support the musical by coming to see it and possibly bringing someone with them.
She doesn鈥檛 expect the musical will become an annual tradition, because of the amount of time it takes to make the show happen.
Wilhelm expects Footloose will be an appealing show for the community, similar to Grease in 2015 and School of Rock in 2017. The 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon was a big hit, and the title song remains popular today.
鈥淎 lot of the parents that I have of the cast right now grew up knowing that movie and that soundtrack, so it鈥檚 really helpful to fuel that interest in the community,鈥� said Wilhelm.
Multiple stages will be set up within the cafetorium, bringing the show closer to the audience. It鈥檚 a new wrinkle for this year鈥檚 musical.
鈥淚 always try to do something new,鈥� said Wilhelm. 鈥淟ast year we had digital scenery happening on the walls, and this year we have the stages built into the audience. So no matter where you sit, at some point, you鈥檙e really going to be almost in a front row seat, because the characters are moving to stages that are set up within the seating areas.鈥�
The first sneak peek of the production was held during the United Way Estevan鈥檚 telethon on Friday night. Students performed two large group numbers and three other songs, including a solo.
A large crowd filled the Royal Canadian Legion鈥檚 Estevan branch to watch the performance.
They have also performed a couple of photo shoots and videos to help with promotion.
Tickets are on sale at Pharmasave. A presale day in the school for those involved with Footloose generated $5,700. In the first four hours tickets were available at Pharmasave, they brought in $2,500 in tickets.
None of the shows have been sold out, as of Monday morning.
Two more VIP tables have been added for this year, so eight VIP tables are available for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows.
The proceeds from this year鈥檚 musical will be directed to the cost of having future musicals at the school.
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