Question is: Are you ready for us?

A behind-the-scenes look from a Footloose, the Musical cast member

Are we ever ready for others to see our work? To have our efforts critiqued by the newspapers and the people attending the nightly performances? Is there ever a way to mentally prepare yourself for that?

The pieces are coming together, slowly at first, but progressively it needs fewer takes to get it all right. More than once it gets done right the first time, and isn't that a thrill? Set pieces slide and fly into place guided by the sure and steady hand of the crew members, clad solely in black, who move with such purpose and direction that it is to be envied.

Lights and props get added with almost each passing moment. Occasionally it phases the cast, but bright flashing lights tend to do that the first time through. The building sense of excitement sends the crowd of kids into titters. They can't wait to try out the new addition to the opening number; it's simply going to be a blast.

Or maybe it isn't the lights, or the colors, or the newness of a prop, or set pieces dropping from above. Maybe it's the growing sense of wonder. The feeling that comes with watching the otherwise unseen technical aspects meld with all the movement and characters on stage. It gets more and more real by the second.

It's a great blessing for a cast to work with such dedicated and knowledgable technicians. Greg Scheer leads the crew and Mary Dew has dropped out of sight to call the cues from her lighted stand, hidden off stage right. Both stand guard over the scene changes like strict but benevolent masters, whispering quiet reminders into radios. However, they lead a crew that walks and moves with assuring confidence, experience and with a good sense of humor. Tiny malfunctions in the moving set pieces get a quick and permanent fix after only a moment's study, and it's smooth sailing after.

It's a giant puzzle, figuring out which pieces go where and when and how best to manage the limited space behind the curtains. The newest addition to the run of the show is the uplifting presence of the orchestra, adding energy and a more complete tone to the music. The rock beats get more defined and bring the dances and songs to life, moving the dancers through the numbers. Everyone polishes. The company runs the scenes, and runs, then run again, just to make sure everything is getting better and better.

Every day as we exhaust ourselves going through number after number, preparing for opening night this Friday. It's close. We're getting ready for everyone that walks into the auditorium, be it critic, family or complete stranger. It doesn't matter. The doors open at 7 p.m. September 17, the show at 7:30 p.m.

Question is: Are you ready for us?

What Drives Us to Perform: A Cast Member's Take

Guest post by a Footloose, the Musical cast member.

What drives us to perform? There doesn't seem to be a real reason to want to work and sweat after a day of work and stress. And yet, we do. Maybe a look behind the scenes can shed some light…

The familiar wooden dance floor, the same blue and red walls, the same chandelier hanging overhead in a corner from as long ago as I can remember. Colored tape lines the floor, different shades to denote different set pieces and placement; it's been torn and turned up by feet moving and spinning during the furious dancing sessions, gaps have been made from pieces of pink or white tape leaving on the bottom of a shoe or sock.

The piano has taken its place in the opposite corner of the chandelier, on the ground of course, with Jim Boggess tickling the ivories in his usual magnificent style. As he leads the cast of wizened adults and wise-cracking youths through a warm-up and run through of the night's big number you can feel, if you close your eyes and imagine, that the sounds take you as high as that chandelier and higher still. It is music of youth and freedom, a celebration of life and never being someone you aren't, never giving into the pressure that life and close-minded thinking can enforce.

Carl Beck watches from his seat beside Mary Dew, the Mona Lisa of directors (for no matter where you stand and return his gaze, his eyes peer into yours and everyone else's) and the no-nonsense stage manager with a brilliant smile. David Catherall sits slightly off from them, his gaze fixed on the cast, thinking of the dance numbers to be run in only a few moments. He seeks perfection from the dancers in his unique dances that have pushed the cast to their limit, only to be coached beyond. Their movements have been sharpened and changes made, but it all works.

The warm-up finishes, and after a few words of encouragement and thanks from Boggess, the cast begins to titter with energy, ready to rock 'n roll. The kids don knee pads and dance shoes to run through the finale - a spirited and fast paced dance that culminates in- well, let's not spoil the surprise. Theresa Fuchs practices a double spin, JR Gould marks through the whole number quickly, others count time and say their moves aloud. Paul Hanson, 'Ren' to the audience, stands poised and ready in the middle of the room, looking confident and at ease. Josh Peyton heaves a big breath and readies himself.

The number starts, the cast dances and sings along as strongly as their winded lungs allow. Dancers fly across stage, leaping and spinning. The dance ends with a bang. Weary smiles spread across the faces of the cast, the directors, the observers. David approves, Jim approves, then both tweak the ending of the song - another change. But as with theatre, there is always room to improve, to seek perfection. Carl calls the cast to the start of the second act, stands as his gaze sharpens, ready to critique and compliment where needed, and the run-through begins…

What drives us to perform? In the end, does it matter? Theatre is an experience like no other, a place where we can lose ourselves in stories that resolve in only hours, where kids grow and close-minded people learn to open themselves to the new and unfamiliar. It's an opportunity to hope and dream and challenge preconceived notions. It's a chance to have a lot of fun. In the Playhouse's production of Footloose, The Musical which runs September 17-October 17, you get a chance to do all of that, and more.

I Love the 80s: Footloose, The Muscial Edition

An 80s-inspired interview with Footloose lead actor Paul Hanson

People love the 80s.

We see it in the resurgence of off-the-shoulder shirts, leggings and massive amounts of chunky jewelry. We see it in the public obsession of 1980s music and the lasting presence and influence of culture icons from the era. We even see it in the results of last year’s voter poll at the Omaha Community Playhouse when patrons were asked to vote for the musicals they would most like to see and Footloose, The Musical came out on top.

We just can’t get enough of the 80s! Neither can lead actor Paul Hanson…even though he wasn’t alive for the majority of the decade. When the movie Footloose came out in 1984, Paul, who is playing lead character Ren, wasn’t even born yet.

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to cut footloose, though. With radio stations dedicated to the 80s and the likelihood of not hearing the Kenny Loggins song Footloose at a wedding reception being slim to none, this young actor is a super fan of the era and the music.

“I absolutely love the music,” said Paul. “I can only remember watching the movie once or twice when I was little, so I don't really remember it much, but I do remember the songs. Footloose and Holding out for a Hero, I can always remember them being on the radio. Both songs have an infectious beat to them that you can't help but tap your feet or just get up and groove to.”

Even though Paul and his character Ren grew up in different eras, Paul can still relate to his character. “I've kind of always connected with Ren,” said Paul. “I can't stand still. I am always on the go. I love dancing. I love the way it makes you feel and I love the journey and strength that Ren has.”

Although Paul is right at home in the 80s, the Omaha Community Playhouse has had to develop into a home for him. This is Paul’s first performance at the Playhouse, but probably won’t be his last. “This has been such a great experience here at the Playhouse already!” said Paul. “I have loved working with everyone. It is so great that Omaha has a theatre on the professional level. I see all the pieces coming together so quickly, the anticipation is growing! I'm very excited to part of this theatre family.”

See this young star and the rest of the talented cast shine in Footloose, The Musical, Sept. 17–Oct. 17 in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre. To order tickets, visit the Box Office, call (402) 553-0800 or visit www.omahaplayhouse.org.