PJP kicks set to present ‘Footloose’
UPPER PROVIDENCE » More than 300 students from Pope John Paul II High School Studio 38, the largest extracurricular activity on campus, take the spotlight March 9-11 and March 16-17 with “Footloose.” The musical is the 1998 stage adaptation of the 1984 film. The Broadway version ran more than 700 performances and was honored with four Tony nominations.
The story is about a teenager who finds joy and release in cutting loose to rock and roll, but through unfortunate circumstances, finds himself in a small town in which dancing is illegal. The ban comes at the hands of a conservative minister whose motivations become clearer as the play unfolds.
The production at Pope John Paul II is directed by Marusia Griffin Lynn.
“Our performing arts tradition is like no other. In the short eight years from the opening our school, our shows have grown exponentially,” she says. “Our students’ passion and talents have captivated thousands.”
“The casts here have been solidly brave in their performances, tackling truly difficult pieces like “Les Miserables,” which requires almost professional-level singing; “Anything Goes,” with its difficult tap numbers; and “Mary Poppins,” which takes a truly gifted stage crew,” she concludes. Lynn adds that although the past does create high expectations, the PJP students this year are clearly up to the challenge of continually improving on stage.
PJP II President Jason Bozzone is equally eager for audiences to experience this year’s show.
“Anyone who witnesses “Footloose,” or any PJP performance, will experience the tradition of excellence in which our students pride themselves. From our cast to our stage crew and our pit orchestra, the students involved in this high-energy production are ready to blow the roof off our auditorium in Royersford,” he says.
Studio 38, the school’s performance group, takes its name from a Polish theater company that had Karol Wojtyla as a member in the pre-World War II era. Wojtyla entered the seminary in 1941 and went on to become Pope John Paul II.
Tickets to PJP’s production of Footloose can be purchased online at https:// pope-john-paul-ii-highschool.ticketleap.com/footloose/ or at the door before each show.