Submitted photo Katie Roberts of Tyler, Jocelyn Klein of Tyler and Tom Schmitt of Porter rehearse a scene from the Lake Benton Opera House’s production of “Footloose.”

LAKE BENTON — They’re going to kick off the Sunday shoes and cut loose on stage for this summer’s musical at the Lake Benton Opera House.

The musical “Footloose” is being presented at 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday and Aug. 2-4, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Aug. 4-5, at the Lake Benton Opera House. The show is being directed by Mark Wilmes.

Wilmes said the Opera House board chose “Footloose” because it liked the name recognition from the popular ’80s movie.

“And no other area community theaters had done the show,” Wilmes said.

The musical is based on the movie, where Ren McCormack and his mother move to the small town of Bomont, where dancing has been banned after the Rev. Shaw Moore convinced the town to do so. Footloose is based on a real situation that played out in the town of Elmore City, Oklahoma, and is a story of repression, rebellion, grief, persistence, abuse, forgiveness and the willingness to change that, Wilmes said.

Wilmes said he knew when the show was chosen that casting the part of Ren would be a challenge. Luke Bielfeldt of Brookings, S.D. plays Ren in the show.

“Vocally, it is a very difficult part,” Wilmes said. “We kept the part open after auditions to find what we were looking for. Luke was the one who best handled the vocal challenges that the character presents. He does a nice job.”

The dancing required for the show was another challenge, Wilmes said.

“There is a lot more than you find in many shows,” he said. “The cast worked some long hours learning the steps. They are still spending time before and after rehearsals this week tightening up the choreography.”

Playing Ariel Shaw is Jocelyn Klein of Tyler. She describes her character as “rebellious and angry.”

“She wants to run as far away from Bomont as she can,” Klein said. “To develop my character, I spent a lot of time thinking of what it’d be like in her shoes. Once I knew how I would feel, I started adding in the attitude and actions into my memorization of the dialogue.”

Crystal Enga of Marshall portrays Ariel’s best friend Rusty. Enga describes her character as energetic and sassy, and that Rusty is very much in love with Willard.

“Rusty is really similar to who I am in real life, so it was not hard to develop the character,” Enga said. “When developing her character, I really focused on her relationship with Willard and how to make that funny and memorable to the audience. I also watched the movie, and stole a few character traits from Sarah Jessica Parker, who played Rusty in the original film. I really wanted to keep her quirky attitude from the movie and portray it in my own way.”

Tom Schmitt of Porter plays Ariel’s father, the Rev. Shaw Moore. He said Shaw is the spiritual and moral leader of the community.

“He is charismatic and charming even,” said Schmitt. “Developing this charter has been a lot of fun and difficult at times as he struggles with the balance of his faith, family and community. Trying to convey the inner struggle of the loss of his son and his obligations to his congregation has been challenging but fun.”

Enga grew up watching the movie and said the main difference between that and the musical is that the cast is singing the songs from the movie.

“The musical version also develops more of the supporting characters in comparison to the movie,” she said. “There are some scenes that are different, but it keeps the famous moments from the movie that we all love and adore.”

The storyline of the musical follows closely to that of the movie, Schmitt said.

“It differs in how it includes opportunities for the cast to sing the iconic songs from the movie such as ‘Almost Paradise (a duet sung by Ren and Ariel), ‘Let’s Hear it for the Boy’ and Holding out for a Hero.’ “

Klein also noted there are some scenes in the movie that aren’t in the play.

“For example, the movie, there is a scene where Chuck and Ren play chicken with tractors, but this isn’t in the play,” Klein said. “Also, in the movie Ren works at a factory whereas in the play Ren works at the Burger Blast.”

“Much of the music will be familiar to the audience,”Wilmes said. “I always think that makes for an enjoyable show.”