Marquis Players to Perform Footloose April 2-4

Annual musical benefits numerous local charities

The Marquis Players will present this year’s musical fundraiser, Footloose, at 8 p.m. April 2-3 and 3 p.m. April 4 in the Williams Center for the Arts.
The student-run theater organization donates all proceeds from its annual production to charity. Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased from any cast member, in Farinon College Center from March 30-April 3 from noon-1 p.m., or by contacting business manager Jessica Donovan ’09 at donovanj@lafayette.edu or (508) 813-4337.

The show, based on the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, features music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford. It tells the story of Ren McCormack, a teenager raised in Chicago who moves to a small town where the town government has banned dancing and rock music. Ren and his classmates want to have a senior prom with music and dancing. They must figure out a way to get around the law and Reverend Shaw Moore, who makes it his mission in life to keep the town free from dancing and rock music. The production is presented through a special arrangement with R & H Theatricals.

All aspects of the production of the show, from set design to fundraising to choreography, are completely run by students. The group is under the advisory of faculty members John Colatch, director of Religious Life; Mary-Jo Lodge, assistant professor of English; Allison Quensen-Blatt, director of operations for the Williams Center; and Richard Kendrick, technical director for the Williams Center.

Last year, the Marquis Players raised more than $5,000 for charities including the Dan O’Neil Memorial Fund, Third Street Alliance, Safe Harbor, Habitat for Humanity, Turning Point, Lehigh Valley Food Bank, and Lafayette’s Meals for the Homeless program.

Production Staff:

Director – AJ Ernst ’09
Choreographer – Sarah Christy ’10
Musical Director– Paul Sommers ’09
Assistant Musical Director – Ingrid Warner ’11
Stage Manager – Jennifer Brady ’11
Assistant Stage Manager – Julie McNeish ’09
Production Manager – Nathan Shatz ’11
Set Designer – Adam Pie ’09
Technical Director/Sound Board Operator – John Rowland ’10
Artistic and Lighting Designer – Lindsay Gonzalez ’09
Lighting Board Operator – Sam George ’12
Fly Rail Operator – Joshua Stokes ’12
Costume Designer – Victoria Pocius ’11
Cast:

Ren McCormack – Eric Mortenson ’12
Ethel McCormack – Alex Lucy ’12
Reverend Shaw Moore – Geoffrey Weyl ’09
Vi Moore- Naomi-Beth Itescu ’10
Ariel Moore – Dana Pardini ’12
Lulu Warnicker – Hannah Fink ’09
Wes Warnicker – Mason Carter ’11
Coach Roger Dunbar – Eduardo Diaz ’10
Eleanor Dunbar – Jess Donovan ’09
Urleen – Alicia McElhone ’12
Wendy Jo – Heather Cook ’12
Rusty – Juliet Lodi ’12
Willard Hewitt – Schuyler Lofberg ’10
Chuck Cranston – Adam Pie ’09
Lyle/Jeter – Ian Owens ’11
Travis/Garvin – Andrew Schnall ’10
Betty Blast – Sarah Christy ’10
Principal Clark – Jill Carey ’09
Cowboy Bob/Bickle – Joe Dudek ’09
Cop – Nathan Shatz ’11
High School Students – Jackie Gowdy ’11, Carolyn Isaac ’12
Townspeople – Alex Palottie ’11, Julie Ehrlich ’11, Charlotte Fieldcamp ’12, Julie Welby ’12, Rethna Eddy ’12, Heather Godshall ’12, Beth Wraase ’11
Featured Dancers – Sarah Christy ’10, Jen Romano ’10, Ciara O’Sullivan ’12, Becca Mohler ’11, Alissa Coffey ’12, Katie Panto ’12, Rachel Ingber ’11
Other Prom Dates – Paul Sommers ’09, AJ Ernst ’09, Dan Stevenson ’10
Orchestra:

Conductor – Cristina Callagy ’09
Keyboard I – Alaina Masler ’09
Keyboard II – Andy Feldman ’11
Flute – Mike Follett ’11
Clarinet – Sara Walter ’09
Tenor and Baritone Saxophone – Paul DeCamp ’10
Percussion – Brad Julian ’10
Drums – Joel Hindelang ’12
Bass – Jonathan Esser ’09
Guitar I – Ray Epstein ’09
Guitar II – Tom Voltz ’09
Executive Council:

President – Jill Carey ’09
Vice President – Maire Newton ’10
Business Manager – Jessica Donovan ’09
Public Relations –Sarah Christy ’10
Fundraising Chair – Ian Owens ’11