In the hit

film "Footloose" Kevin Bacon's character, Ren McCormack, moves

to a small town that outlaws dancing. Though he is an outsider he teaches

the town to dance again. "Footloose" was a very popular film

in the 1980s and its soundtrack is still considered to be one of the best

of all time. The next logical step was to bring the music and the story

to people live and "Footloose" became a Broadway musical. Now,

it is being performed by Clayton Alliance for Summer Theater and several

Fayette County teens will help bring the show to life.

Peachtree City's

Mitch Dean will play Ren McCormack, while Fayetteville's Tracy McBurnett

will play his love interest, the preacher's daughter Ariel Moore. Tackling

the role of the preacher, Shaw Moore, will be Sandy Creek's Joey Ellington.

Other Fayette County residents involved in the production include Tia

Bittner and Maggie Boyd. The cast has been rehearsing since June 3 and

is ready to rock the house.

Some of the

songs featured in both the musical and the movie include "Almost

Paradise," "Holding Out For a Hero" and, of course, the

Kenny Loggins penned classic, "Footloose."

"Footloose"

is directed by Michael Vaughn who has deep roots in the local theater

community. In 1999, he directed "Oliver!" and "Schoolhouse

Rock, Live" for Clayton Alliance for Summer Theatre. He has also

performed in several shows for Fayette Community Theatre, including their

recent production of "The Boys Next Door." Vaughn has stared

in four national tours with American Theater of Philadelphia and completed

a four-month run of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Broadway

Palm Theater in Fort Meyers, Fla.

After "Footloose"

Vaughn will direct "Fiddler on the Roof," which runs the following

weekend and then will star in "The Fantasticks," Clayton Alliance

for Summer Theatre's professional production. He will return as writer,

director and producer of the Atlanta Gospel Music Choice Awards in September

and is forming a production company this fall.

The show will

be presented on the main stage of the Clayton County Performing Arts Center

July 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and July 14 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $6

for adults and $3 for students and are available at the door or by calling

770-473-2950.

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