The premiere of Padua’s production of Footloose is only a few weeks away, and the musical is finally starting to fall into place. Padua, Sallies, and Cab Calloway students have been working long and hard to put together the 1984 classic. “Things are just starting to look a lot sharper. We’ve laid most of the groundwork down and now we’re going back and making sure things are looking good and feeling good. Everybody is starting to get off-book with their lines, too,” senior, Marguerite Beane says. Beane is playing one of leads, Ariel, in Padua’s rendition of Footloose.

Beane has been in many plays before, even taking the lead in last year’s Beauty and the Beast, but nothing is like Footloose, she says. “Footloose is different because these songs have more of a pop/rock kind of feel to them. And, of course, there is so much more dancing in this musical. It’s going to be a lot of fun and we’re going to have a full band this year for the pit, and I’m really excited.”

Just because it’s a musical hosted at Padua Academy and performed by Padua, Sallies, and Cab Calloway students, doesn’t mean that it’s closed off to other teenagers. Sophie Dunham, a freshman at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Pennsylvania, says, “I want to go see Footloose because it has always been one of my favorite plays. I think it is a hilarious story that, when put to music, is a whimsical and fun performance.” She continues by saying, “Another reason why I am so excited to go see Footloose is that one of my best friends is in it. Since we go to different schools, we don’t get to see each other as often. I always try to support her by going to the activities she participates in. I’m truly looking forward to seeing Footloose at Padua.” Footloose runs Friday, Feb. 26th t0 Sunday, Feb. 28th at Padua.