(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Mogan Kramer as the fish out of water, Ren McCormack, and Barb Ambrosius as his mother, Ethel McCormack, perform together in a scene from "Footloose" which opens tonight for a four-day run at SCT.

Spencer Community Theatre presents the northwest Iowa premiere of "Footloose," opening tonight and running through August 10.

One of the most energetic musicals to hit the silver screen will rock the live stage when the Spencer Community Children's Theatre presents their Summer Teen production of "Footloose." Featuring a talented group of teens and adults in and around the Spencer area, "Footloose" tells the story of a young man who, after his father leaves him, moves to a small town with a ban on dancing.

Shaley Cullen, director and choreographer of many previous SCT Productions, is at the helm of this exciting experience. She describes the story of "Footloose" as a timeless struggle to which most can relate.

"Teens have always struggled to assert their personal freedom, and adults have always struggled to know exactly when the time is right to loosen control. Where there is risk, there is fear, and our struggle to move forward despite that fear is the classic conflict of the show," said Cullen.

Based on a book by Dean Pitchford and featuring the music of Tom Snow, Eric Carmen, Kenny Loggins and Sammy Hagar, "Footloose" features an Oscar- and Tony- nominated Top 40 score with such popular favorites as "Holding Out for a Hero," "Let's Hear it for the Boy," "Almost Paradise" and of course, "Footloose." In addition to the known favorites, audiences will be delighted by the dynamic new songs that have been added for the stage version, such as "Heaven Help Me" and "Mama Says."

The cast of 33 actors, singers, and dancers and seven-piece band bring "Footloose" to life in a way that is sure to touch teens and adults alike. While the play is about teenagers and teenage issues, the adult audience will enjoy the depth of the story and the universal theme of healing.

'FOOTLOOSE' INFO

Tickets for "Footloose" are on sale now. Tickets may be reserved through the SCT Box Office at 262-7336. Box office hours are 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7, 8, and 9 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Aug. 10.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 14 and under. "Footloose" is rated PG-13; parental discretion is advised for children under 13 years of age.

SCT Playhouse is located one block off Grand Avenue in downtown Spencer at 518- 1st Ave. E. SCT Playhouse is accessible to the physically challenged. Reserved parking stalls are located east of the facility. "Footloose" is made possible with the help of sponsorships from Chiropractic Arts Clinic and Christians Sheet Metal.

* For more information, please visit the Spencer Community Theatre website for more information at www.spencercommunity

theatre.com.