DFT set to turn “Footloose” in the round

It’s likely the DeSoto County home of local theater has never done what it is about to. DeSoto Family Theatre has held its memorable productions in the theater part of the facility now known as the Landers Center since it began about 24 years ago.  

Now, awaiting its new home as the Landers Center moves forward on expansion plans, the DeSoto Family Theatre has decided to take its stage on the road… and make that stage round.  

Also known as DFT, DeSoto Family Theatre is set to begin a new production this week when the musical “Footloose” begins on Friday evening, July 19. However, with the Southaven stage not available, the production will take the “stage” as a theater in the round at the Gin at Nesbit. 

“This is a brand new format of the production for us,” said director Ashley McCormack. “We’ve done a couple of dinner theater shows here, but this is the first time that we’re taking the show off of a stage and performing it throughout the entire venue, so it’s going to be very immersive.”

With the new location and a new means of production, McCormack said putting Footloose together has provided some unique challenges.  

“The audience is going to be sitting mere feet from the action,” McCormack said. “They’re going to feel like they’re actually on stage with the actors. So it’s been thrilling. It’s a little bit scary, if I’m honest, because we’ve never done it before, but it’s exciting, and it’s an honor to be a part of something like this.”

The story line for Footloose is very familiar, especially with the popular 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, which earned Grammy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award nominations for its music.

“Ren McCormack moves to town with his mom and they are kind of getting away from a broken home there,” McCormack said.  ”He moves in with his aunt and uncle and quickly realizes that dancing is against the law because of a horrible bridge car accident that happened a few years back. Ren basically makes it his mission to bring dancing back into the town of Beaumont, and he’s successful.”

Ashley McCormack said DFT did Footloose a number of years ago but she added it’s a great summer show and a huge dance show. McCormack also said the show’s message of stepping out of your comfort zone, dealing with things you might be facing and being a community that comes together is voiced in the show. 

With the Landers Center expansion going on, McCormack said DFT felt it was important to continue providing local family productions and to find somewhere to do it.  She said the theater wanted everyone to know they are not going anywhere.  

“We are going to continue to show up for our community and to continue to produce quality community theater, family theater, because that’s important to us, and it means a lot to the community,” McCormack said. “So we’re not going anywhere.”

The ownership with the Gin at Nesbit has been very accommodating about DFT having access to its facility for almost the entire summer to produce Footloose, McCormack said. She said challenges in production there have come in lights and technical elements. Actors also have to be aware and remember that they are performing to an audience in not just one direction, but in all directions.   

“You have to face all four sides, sometimes through numbers,” she said. “So just really thinking about that and making sure that no seat in the house or in this arena is going to be a bad seat.” 

The response has been tremendous in ticket sales, as the production Tuesday was announced as a sell out. It is possible a very few number of tickets may become available, so it’s best to check the DeSoto Family Theatre website for availability.  The strong demand should make the possibility of future productions more likely.  

“We really want to wait and see how this pans out and see if the audience enjoys this in the round, submersive experience,” McCormack said. “If they do, we continue. We want to continue to bring theater here to the Gin.”

NOTE: DeSoto Family Theatre announced in its Facebook page Thursday morning a very limited number of additional tickets were released for the seven performances of “Footloose.” Those interested were urged to visit the DeSoto Family Theatre website for information.