Posted on: Monday, March 4, 2002

TIP-OFF
Get those dancing shoes on for the arrival of 'Footloose'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

"Footloose," a Broadway musical by former islander Dean Pitchford, will make its Hawai'i debut at Pitchford's alma mater, St. Louis School. This will be the first time Pitchford has authorized an amateur production of the musical in the United States.

The musical, based on the hit '80s film by the same name, will be staged in eight performances starting March 14 at the Mamiya Theatre. The premiere will be dedicated to Pitchford's late sister, Patricia Pitchford Colodner, killed in the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attack. The Colodner family will attend.

Pitchford, a 1968 graduate, wrote the screenplay for the film, which starred Kevin Bacon, and championed its transition to the stage.

"'Footloose' is a story about a free-spirited kid who reminds a local minister that it's no sin to be young," said Kyle Kakuno, St. Louis drama director. Marcelo Pacleb of 24/VII DanceForce will choreograph, Kale Chang of the group Reign will be musical director, with another Saint Louis alumnus, Daniel Ho, a successful musician-composer-recording artist, assembling the band.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. March 14 and 15, with 2 p.m. matinees on March 16 and 17; and again at 7:30 p.m. March 21-23, with a 2 p.m. show March 24. Tickets are $100 for the premiere night, to support the theater endowment fund. For the rest of the run, they're $15 for adults, $10 for students. Reservations: 739-4896.