Augusta Prep students set to get 'Footloose' this weekend

Imagine what would happen if teenagers today were told that dancing was illegal. That is the premise of the 1980s musical Footloose, which will be performed by Augusta Preparatory Day School's theater department Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 nightly with a matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday.

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The musical tells the story of Ren McCormick, an 18-year-old from Chicago who moves to a small town where dancing and rock music has been banned. Ren and his classmates want to have a senior prom, so they must find a way to get around the law.

"It's just such a fun show," said Jamie McAteer, the school's theater director. "They (the pupils) don't ever get tired of practicing."

While Footloose is a lighthearted musical, the show's deeper meaning highlights the struggle for freedom of expression, McAteer said.

Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for children. To purchase tickets, call McAteer at (706) 863-1906 or e-mail jamie.mcateer@augustaprep.org. He said tickets are selling quickly.

"We're pretty close to selling out Friday and Saturday night," McAteer said. "We've had a good response from the school and the community for this one."