Footloose: The Musical to come to Barter Theatre’s Gilliam Stage

(Abingdon, VA) – Abingdon’s Barter Theatre is pleased to announce the addition of the world-famous stage production Footloose: The Musical to its summer season’s list of shows. The musical will be directed by Paul Russell and will be cast by the Barter Theatre Resident Acting Company.

Footloose, based off of the 1984 film of the same name, is an adaptation of the events that occurred in Elmore City, Okla.

The musical follows the story of Ren McCormack, a Chicago transplant forced to move to the small town Bomont, and his friends Willard, Ariel, and Rusty. Throughout the production, Ren works to repeal the conservative town’s ordinance against dancing and rock music. But first, he must win over Ariel’s father, the local reverend.

This is neither the first time Russell has directed at the Barter nor his first time directing Footloose. For Russell, Footloose is more than just a musical – it is a mirror of his own childhood. “Having been a transplant myself, many, many times into numerous small town communities…I know these people. I know them well. The citizens of [the fictional town in Footloose] grab me,” commented Russell. “In Footloose…I saw reflection of my past self.”

Audiences can see Footeloose: The Musical on the Barter Theatre’s Historic Gilliam Stage beginning May 19. Shows will run through the summer until Aug. 19.

Tickets are currently available for purchase online, over the phone, or in person and a priced at $20 to $52. Barter Theatre highly recommends reserving tickets in advance. For reservations made in person or over the phone, an additional service fee of $1.50 will be added to each ticket. For reservations made online, an additional convenience fee of $3.00 will be added to each ticket. All reservations must be held on a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Reserved tickets are available for pick up at the Box Office Tuesday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All tickets will have a preservation fee of $2.50 added to help maintain both stages.