Experience Takes Center Stage For MTC's 'G2K ... Footloose'

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Auditions for the Moorestown Theater Company’s (MTC) production of “G2K … Footloose” were held on Monday, Aug. 5. The first performance of the show was Wednesday night, Aug. 14.

In between, 34 teenagers had seven days to rehearse a show that runs for 1 hour, 20 minutes, and MTC Artistic Director Mark Morgan said they did so very well.

“Teens are amazing,” Morgan said. “Their brains soak up stuff so quickly. … They can do it, and they did it.”

Experience helps, too, and the three leads in the condensed version of the musical that was nominated for four Tony Awards in 2000 have plenty of it.

Aren Duffy, who plays Rev. Shaw Moore, is a three-time all-star at the national Junior Theater Festival, held annually in Atlanta, Ga. He has performed in over 50 shows with MTC.

Juliet Morgan, who plays Ariel Moore, is a two-time Junior Theater Festival all-star and is appearing in her 150th MTC production.

Kayman Brown, who plays Ren McCormack, won a Brodway Slam at the 2018 festival and has appeared in over 25 MTC shows.

“It’s a very strong show, and we needed all that experience,” Morgan said.

The show opened Wednesday night at Hope Community Church, 235 West Main Street. Photos from the performance provided by MTC can be seen below.

Aren Duffy as Rev. Shaw Moore

Kayman Brown as Ren McCormack

Juliet Morgan as Ariel Moore

The show is MTC's eighth all-teen show, and is the penultimate show in MTC’s Summer Stage camp for 2019. It features such well-known songs as “Somebody’s Eyes,” “Holding Out For A Hero,” “Heaven Help Me,” “I’m Free,” “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” “Mama Says,” “Almost Paradise” and the title song.

It is the third time MTC is performing “Footloose,” and it is the first condensed version of the show. “G2K” stands for “Getting to Know …” the equivalent of a junior production, such as “Guys and Dolls Jr.”

“It is one of the most fun shows we’ve ever done,” Morgan said. “It was the first mainstage show we ever repeated. It was our third show, and our 58th show.”

Morgan said he’s been waiting 10 years for a condensed version of the show, which the teens love performing. “Footloose” is the story of a city teenager who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace.

Three performances of “G2K … Footloose” were scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Two more were set for Friday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the cast singing the Summer Stage theme song at the end. MTC Summer Stage alumni are invited to that performance.

Tickets are reserved, and can be bought online at MoorestownTheaterCompany.org, or in the lobby 60 minutes before curtain time. The theater will open 30 minutes before curtain time. Call MTC at 856-778-8357 with any questions or to get group rates.