Quincy High School Brings “Footloose” to Life With Energy, Heart, and a Whole Lot of Soul
A high-octane production that proves our students — on stage and behind the scenes — are operating at another level.
From the very first seconds of the prologue, when the curtain rose and the lights came up, the stage didn’t just open — it exploded.
Song. Dance. Full ensemble. Complex choreography filling every inch of the stage.
Sitting in on the dress rehearsal for Footloose: The Musical this week, I expected something good. Quincy High School’s theater department has built a reputation for delivering strong productions year after year. But what I witnessed was something bigger. Louder. Bolder.
This show hits different.
Even on what was technically a friends-and-family rehearsal night, the PAC had a large audience with the productions large ensemble cast. You could feel the energy building in the audience as we gazed upon the large set wondering what was in store.
From the opening number, you could feel it: the electricity in the room, the confidence in the performers, and the unmistakable sense that this department just raised its own bar.
Directed by Hailey Weber, this year’s production of Footloose is easily one of the most ambitious shows I’ve seen from Quincy High School.
And it pays off.
About the Story: More Than Just Dancing
Most people know Footloose from the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon — or the later remake. But if you’ve never seen it, here’s the heart of it.
A Chicago teenager, Ren McCormack, moves with his mother to a small town still reeling from a tragic accident that claimed several young lives. In response, the town leadership — led by a grieving minister — has banned dancing and anything associated with what they see as reckless behavior.
Ren loves to dance. He represents freedom, expression, and youth pushing back against fear-driven control.
What unfolds is more than a rebellion story. It’s about grief. About how communities process loss. About whether protecting people means restricting them or trusting them.
And as I sat there watching our own students bring that story to life, it struck me how fitting it is for a small town audience. We understand community. We understand loss. We understand how quickly fear can shape decisions.
That’s what makes this show resonate.
A Massive Production — In Every Sense
This wasn’t a small show with a few dance breaks.
The set alone signals the scale. A massive bridge structure dominates the stage, multi-level and fully integrated into the storytelling. The band plays live beneath it; not tucked away in a pit, but physically part of the show. Characters cross it, climb it, use it to create depth and visual movement in nearly every scene.
It allows the stage to feel larger than it is.
Dance numbers spill across levels. Ensemble scenes use vertical space. Intimate conversations happen in one corner while transitions unfold seamlessly in another.
And let’s be clear, these students aren’t just singing school musical tunes. They’re performing songs that were once number-one hits. For anyone over 35 in the audience, the nostalgia hits hard. You forget just how many iconic songs came from this single production until they start rolling one after another.
· “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins,
· “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams
· “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler
· “Almost Paradise” by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson
· “I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man)” by Kenny Loggins
· “Dancing in the Sheets” by Shalamar
· “Somebody’s Eyes” by Karla Bonoff
There were moments I caught myself smiling before I even realized why — because the first few notes of a familiar song hit and suddenly you’re transported back in time.
That’s not easy to pull off.
They did.
Standout Performances
There were strong performances across the board, but several deserve special mention.
Owen Yates (Ren McCormack) anchors the show with steady confidence. He’s on stage constantly, carrying emotional weight and complex choreography, and never wavers. There’s a groundedness to his portrayal that keeps the story centered.
Ruby Gonzalez (Ariel Moore) delivers a breakout performance. If this is truly her first major performance, she stepped onto that stage like a veteran. Ariel’s internal conflict — loving her father while pushing back against him — requires nuance, and Ruby brought it. Her duets with Owen were believable and emotionally grounded. You could see the relationship evolve, scene by scene, in a way that felt authentic.
Daniel Sanchez (Reverend Shaw Moore) carries one of the most difficult roles in the show. As both spiritual leader and grieving father, his character wrestles with fear, authority, and heartbreak. Daniel conveyed that internal struggle with quiet intensity. Some of his strongest moments weren’t loud — they were restrained. And that restraint made them powerful.
And then there’s Juan Ferrera (Willard Hewitt) who stole scenes. Repeatedly.
His comedic timing, both verbal and physical, had the audience laughing out loud. Not polite chuckles. Real laughter. He understands how to use his body, his pauses, and even his facial expressions to land a moment. In a show filled with big musical numbers, his comedy provided a perfect balance.
One of the most surprising performances for me personally was Sawyer Goley (Chuck Cranston). I’ve known Sawyer for years through QVAA Children’s Theater, the surprise was not that he could act, it was the character. It took me half the show to recognize him. That’s the sign of someone who committed fully to the role. He stepped completely outside his comfort zone and embodied the town’s bad-boy antagonist with conviction.
Supporting performances — including Aliah Corona as Rusty and Kimberly Ceballos in a role you love to dislike — rounded out a cast that genuinely felt like a cohesive ensemble.
Aliah, Gabriela Ramirez (Urleen) and Aubrey Miller (Wendy Jo) hit some harmonies performing “Somebody’s Eyes” that you could feel in your soul and moved you. Through some deep emotional moments in the story.
And throughout the show, there were those quick one-line drops — perfectly timed — that had the entire audience cracking up. Those little moments are often what separate a good show from a great one.
I honestly could name drop moments from every cast member for probably a few more pages worth of article. So for the rest of the cast I didn’t call out by name, it wasn’t because you didn’t deserve the recognition, it was because I had to cut this to a somewhat reasonable length. This show was incredible because of all of you.
Technical Theater: The Unsung Heroes
As someone with a background in technical theater — and someone who still volunteers with children’s productions locally — I pay attention to what’s happening beyond the spotlight.
This technical team deserves real credit.
The set wasn’t just impressive — it was purposeful. The bridge wasn’t decorative; it was dynamic. It created vertical storytelling. Ariel going “upstairs” to her room felt real. Students leaning over the rails watching scenes unfold below added depth without clutter.
Lighting design elevated everything. Color shifts subtly guided emotional tone from scene to scene. Warm, intimate washes during vulnerable conversations. Bold, saturated color during high-energy numbers. Cool tones during tension.
Sound integration — especially with the live band on stage — was handled cleanly. Vocals carried. Music felt immersive only overpowering the dialogue from time to time. (but that is why you have dress rehearsals)
Scene transitions were smooth and quiet, even when dialogue continued during movement. That kind of professionalism from a high school stage crew is something to be proud of. Stage crews are unsung hero’s moving like ninja’s in the darkness to make sure not to pull you out of the story. Their whole job is to be invisible but they are the backbone of a good production.
Big shows fall apart without strong stage management and leadership.
This one didn’t, so here is to you, the quiet professionals. Cheer’s! The stage and tech crews crushed it!
Why This Matters in Quincy
Productions like this don’t happen by accident.
They happen because a community shows up.
They happen because families encourage their kids to audition. Because volunteers build sets. Because leadership believes that arts matter as much as athletics.
Not every student finds their place on a field or a court. Theater gives creative students and often student-athletes as well a different arena to shine.
The discipline required to memorize lines. The vulnerability required to perform emotionally charged scenes. The teamwork required to execute choreography with precision. The technical skill involved in running lights and sound.
Those skills transfer.
Confidence built under stage lights becomes confidence in job interviews, classrooms, leadership roles.
As someone who grew up in small-town theater, I can tell you: you carry these experiences for life. Whether in church AV work, children’s theater, speaking or even running this news platform. I can tell you, these experiences matter.
When we invest in programs like this, we are investing in future adults who know how to work hard, collaborate, and stand confidently in front of a room.
That matters.
Don’t Miss Quincy High School’s “Footloose”
If you skip this production, you’re missing one of the best examples of what our young people are capable of.
Opening night is Feb 27th at 7:00 PM, with additional performances on the 28th at 2pm, 7pm and March 5–7, including a matinee. Tickets are available online through the QHS Theater page (QR codes are posted there), at the QHS office, or at the door.
Make it date night. Make it a family night. I took the whole family and we all had an amazing time watching the show
Go sit in that PAC. Let yourself laugh. Let the music hit you with nostalgia. Let yourself feel proud of the kids who call this town home. Support these amazing young people who are laying it all out for the world to see, it takes courage and you showing up and cheering them on rewards that.
You will walk out energized.
You will walk out proud.
To the cast, crew, and leadership of Quincy High School Theater Department:
Thank you.
You reminded us what small-town excellence looks like.
