Beginning Thursday, March 14, Gallery 7 Theatre presents its musical production of 'Footloose.'
Adapted for the stage by Dean Pritchford and Walter Bobbie, the play features two Aldergrove actors: Riley Boschman and Spencer Danek.
The play follows teenager Ren and his mother who move from Chicago to a small farming town living under rigorous municipal edicts ordered by the local pastor, including a ban on dancing. When the pastor's daughter shows romantic interest in Ren, her uncouth boyfriend vows to destroy Ren's reputation.
But at the heart of the story is a father reeling from tragic loss and a young man longing for a father who abandoned him.
Ken Hildebrandt, managing artistic director, said he's very excited to bring the entertaining musical to the stage.
"At the centre of all the fun is a tender story of love, loss, forgiveness and redemption. I think audiences are in for both an exhilarating and moving theatre experience," he said.
Directing 'Footloose' is Kate Munchmore Woo, who has directed plays including 'Murder on the Orient Express' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' for Gallery 7.
"Upon revisiting the story and digging into the characters, I discovered this musical is not all fluff and teenage angst," Woo said.
"While those elements are there - and come on, who doesn't love some of these great songs and exciting dancing 鈥� there's always a reason behind people's actions, and the reasons in this musical are not superficial or shallow."
The production runs March 14 and 15, 19 to 22, and 25 to 28 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on march 15, 22 and 23 at 2 p.m. at the Abbotsford Arts Centre.
Tickets can be purchased online at or by calling 604-504-5940.
