The River Region Drama Guild presenting this season’s summer production, the high-energy dance musical, “Footloose,” to the community.

The production will debut at Destrehan High School today and play through Sunday, June 17. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for opening night and $20 for all other nights and are available at the door.

“Footloose” is the perfect summer musical. It is packed with high-spirited dancing, eye-popping vintage ‘80s costumes and a score full of the music that defined the ‘80s. It is simply a fun night at the theatre, and we all need that,” said RRDG board member and Footloose’s producer, Henry Sorbet. “Director Joy Chun and choreographer Kellen Frisch have assembled an outstanding cast of talented performers. As we said in the ‘80s, it’s going to be ‘totally awesome!’”

Inspired by the wildly popular 1984 movie, Footloose thrilled Broadway audiences for nearly two years. It’s

a story of American spirit – a carefree city kid transplanted to a conservative rural town where rock

‘n roll and dancing are forbidden, who takes on the authorities, makes all the right moves and wins the girl.

Footloose, the stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, is based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. The musical features all the chart-topping music from the film (“Almost Paradise,” “Holding Out For A Hero,” “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” etc.) mixed with new material written specifically for the stage musical. The score contains music and lyrics by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford, with additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.

The cast of “Footloose” will be led by Lance Ural as Ren McCormack and Ashley Monaghan as Ariel Moore. Also featured will be Frank Von Hoven as Reverend Shaw Moore, Christina Cross as Vi Moore, Kelli Hebert as Ethel McCormack, Luke Schaubhut as Uncle Wes, Earl Scioneaux as Coach Roger Dunbar, Janel Ockman as Eleanor Dunbar, Leslie Limberg as Rusty, Kate Prendergast as Urleen, Danielle Tenorio as Wendy Jo, Johnathon Whalen as Chuck Cranston, Joe Matherne as Lyle, Tyler Robinson as Travis, Samantha Kennedy as Betty Blast/Singing Ensemble, Heather Bergeron as Lulu/Cowgirl/Singing Ensemble, Keith Claverie as Willard Hewitt, Michael Taravella as Jeter/Cowboy Bob, Connor Pitre as Bickle, Michael Jones as Garvin and Christopher Sullivan as Principal Harry Clark.

The company of “Footloose” also includes Heather Bergeron, Samuel Eastepp, Briar Falgoust, Claire Laurent, Kaci Cazenave, Adam Landry, Allie Wursteisen, Lauren Snowdy, Rebecca Duckert, Kelsey Frisch, John Brown, Myles Dunn, Logan Tauzin, Haley Taylor, Thomas Jones, Brittany Schaubhut and Camille Lavois.

“Footloose” is directed by Joy Chun, with choreography by Kellen Frisch. The creative team also includes Musical Director Brenda Castillo, Producer/Set Design Henry Sorbet, Costumes DeAnn Sullivan, and Production Stage Manager Ashley Folse.

This program is sponsored by United Way of St. Charles; a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts; Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Houma Regional Arts Council and a grant from the River Region Arts and Humanities Council.