Playing fast and loose

CITY of Casey and Cardinia Shire residents are invited to a performance this weekend of the of the popular production Footloose.
Pakenham resident Dan O’Kane is getting to play his dream role of Ren McCormack in Cardinia Performing Arts Company’s (CPAC) production, which opens next week at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
Dan has been performing with CPAC for a few years and most recently played Marcellus Washburn in CPAC’s last show, The Music Man, but his favourite role has been that of the dashing Sir Galahd in CPAC’s production of Spamalot.
Opening 26 February at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, this Broadway show is based on the 1984 cult film that made a star out of Kevin Bacon.
It features a hip Chicago teen who relocates to a Bible-belt farming community where rock music and dancing have been outlawed.
It marked the film debuts of Chris Penn and Sarah Jessica Parker. It also featured a number of top-40 hits including Kenny Loggin’s Footloose, Bonnie Tyler’s Holding On for Here and the hit single Let’s Hear it for the Boy.
The movie remains a highlight of the ’80s dance-movie phenomenon.
CPAC will have an energetic cast of 35 young singers and dancers busting loose and showing their moves on stage.
Footloose leaps to the stage with direction by Lee Geraghty, musical direction by Tony Toppi, and high-octane dance numbers by choreographer Robert Mulholland. Show dates are 26 February at 8pm for a gala which include supper and drinks after the show, 27 February at 2pm, 5 March at 8pm, and 6 March at 2pm, and 11 March at 8pm. Tickets cost $22 for the 10 March show, which is at 7pm . Tickets for the rest of the days are adults $30, pensioner/student concession $27, children under 15 are $25, and family, which includes two adults and two children, is $100. Tickets are available by phoning 0407 090 354 or by email at rrene70@hotmail.com.