Featuring a cast and crew of 32, City of Fairfax Theatre Co. (CFTC) and Truro Anglican Church present the musical, “Footloose,” July 20-28, at Lanier Middle School. And Producer Kirsten Boyd says the cast is particularly strong.

“Some 120 people auditioned, and we have a lot of cast members pursuing theater professionally, which gives our show a great deal of depth and insight,” she said. “And Director Erich DiCenzo really dug into the scene work because we have such talented actors, in addition to wonderful singers and dancers.”

​In “Footloose,” Chicago teen Ren McCormack moves to the small, rural town of Bomont, Okla., where dancing has been banned. Frustrated by this oppressive new environment, he rails against it, breaks every taboo and brings back the joy of dance to a broken community sorely in need of some happiness.

The 1984 movie catapulted actor Kevin Bacon to fame and was followed in 1998 by the hit Broadway play. The show’s award-winning soundtrack reached number one on the Billboard charts, and local residents will be able to enjoy these iconic songs again when CFTC brings them to life on the stage.

“We want our audiences to walk away with the word ‘​electric’ on their lips,” said DiCenzo. “We’re bringing a more modern feel to the show, but still honoring the ’80s with authentic concepts in artistic style.”

THE SET resembles a jungle gym, which the actors incorporate into their dance routines. And, said DiCenzo, “With its contemporary choreography and industrial multi-use set, the production will generate high energy.”

Portraying Ren is 2012 Woodson High grad Peter Moses, a graduate of Ohio’s Otterbein University, the number-four theater school in the U.S. And for him, this part is a dream come true. “When I was a freshman at Woodson, I saw ‘Footloose’ there, and the kid playing Ren was really good,” said Moses. “He looked like he was having fun, and I thought, ‘I’d love to play that role someday.’”

Calling Ren a “rebellious sweetheart,” Moses said his character’s father walked out on his family. “So underneath Ren’s confident, joking personality, there’s frustration and anger,” he said. “At times, he acts out and rubs people the wrong way. And even when he’s friendly, he’s still an outsider to this town.”

Moses said Ren wants to move on from “the hurtful memory of his father that messed with him and broke him. But he finds solace in Beaumont, meeting Willard, his new best friend, and [his love interest], Ariel. He’s my first, lead role in a musical, and I feel lucky to be playing him.”

Moses especially likes the physical and emotional challenge. “There’s room for growth as an actor, and Ren’s the spark that lights the fire in Bomont,” said Moses. “He’s the leader, and I love that he inspires the others to join as one and rise above the rule against dancing. I like Ren’s ability to change lives and ideas for the better.”

His favorite song is “I’m Free,” which he sings. “It’s the moment when Ren gets the others to unite,” explained Moses. “He’s one of them and they’re with him, for the first time, and he transcends from a teenager to an adult.”

Moses has done community theater throughout this area; but, he said, “I’m impressed with this group’s professionalism and work ethic. And our director is challenging me and bringing out the best in me. His students at Fairfax High are lucky to have a director like him.”

Ariel is played by Jamie Goodson, a rising sophomore at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. “On the surface, Ariel’s fun-loving, sassy and energetic, but she hides her darker side – due to her brother’s death – from most people,” said Goodson. “She has a complicated family life. She has greater ambition than most people in her town, but her father disapproves of it.”

Goodson enjoys portraying characters with tons of layers, saying, “I relate to her family situation. I’m close to my family, but our disagreements can feel huge – and I have lots of ambition, as well.”

SHE LIKES THE SONG “Girl Gets Around,” sung by Ariel’s boyfriend, Chuck. “It’s catchy and fun to dance to, and it sets up Ariel and Chuck’s relationship.” Overall, said Goodson, “There’s relevance for all ages in this show because it’s so fun and entertaining. The message for adults is not to be so self-righteous – you’re never done learning. And kids learn the value of patience and perseverance.”

Rachel Apostolico, who just graduated from Fairfax High, is the show’s dance captain. She was also nominated for a Cappie award for choreographing her school’s recent production of “The Little Mermaid.”

For CFTC’s show, she choreographed three numbers: “I’m Free,” an upbeat, Broadway-jazz dance; “Still Rockin’,” country-style dancing with cowboy boots and hats; and the finale, “Footloose,” upbeat, Broadway-type dancing with partners.

“It’s really fun; I’ve been dancing almost my whole life,” said Apostolico, heading to JMU, this fall. “Getting the chance to choreograph these numbers has been eye-opening because I think it’s something I could do [professionally]. I’d like a career in the arts.”

She’s also excited that the actors like her choreography. And, she added, “It’s really cool to see something I choreographed alone in my house come to life onstage and see the dancers enjoy themselves doing it.”

VCU-bound Julie Kovach, also a new Fairfax grad, plays Ariel’s best friend, Rusty. She was nominated for Supporting Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Ursula in “The Little Mermaid.”

“Rusty’s bold and animated and doesn’t care what people think about her,” said Kovach. “She’s just loud and out there. She’s also a hopeless romantic with a crush on Willard, and it all comes out in her song, ‘Let’s Hear It for the Boy.’ It’s fun because I see a lot of myself in Rusty. I’m not afraid to be loud, I joke around and I’m giggly.”

Her favorite song is “Holding Out for a Hero,” sung by Ariel, Rusty and their friends, Urleen and Wendy Jo. “It’s upbeat and energetic and is inspiring for girls who are down and looking for a hero to save them,” explained Kovach.

She said audiences will like the show’s nostalgic nod to “Footloose’s” play and Broadway musical. “The costumes will be vintage, the makeup is bold and flashy, with bright ’80s colors, and the hair is big and crimped,” said Kovach. “Audiences will leave with a positive attitude about life in general.”