Sixty-five youngsters are rehearsing for the play "Footloose," this year's Summerstage performance. The nonprofit group, originally named Summershow, has been a summer tradition in Manchester for nearly 30 years.
The group was started by an English teacher in the 1970s to generate interest in theater.
"It is a very popular program here in Manchester," said Summerstage board President Muffin Driscoll. "It's a very long-standing tradition."
Nearly 80 youngsters joined up this summer, but several left. The remaining 65 make up the kids' chorus, dance chorus and speaking parts for next week's performances. "We always start with more in the beginning, but after a week or two some decide they don't want to do it, or want to do something else with their summer," Driscoll said. "We never make cuts."
Driscoll has been the board president for six years. "I have two children in the play and they love it," Driscoll said. "My son, who is 17, and my daughter, who is 14."
The students participating, who range in age from 9 to 17, have been working hard for the past month. "We started the tryouts and rehearsing before school ended, and we have been rehearsing every night from 5 to 9 since the last day of school," Driscoll said. "They all have been working really hard and having fun doing it."
This year Carol Richardson-Gambino is the director, Karen Pisani is the choreographer, Laura Hargrove is the music director and two kids from the community, Collin Rosso and Geoff Wood, are part of the new addition to Summerstage, a live pit orchestra.
"The orchestra is new this year," Driscoll said. "We used them the other night for the first time and the students loved it. The energy just popped."
The play, which consists of 16 numbers, will begin Tuesday and will run through Saturday.
"Tickets are on sale at Crosby's on Saturday from 11 to 4 and an hour before each performance," Driscoll said.
IF YOU GO
* What: Manchester Summerstage's "Footloose"
* When: Tuesday, July 24, and Wednesday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, July 26, through Saturday, July 28, at 7:30 p.m.
* Where: Memorial School in Manchester
* Cost: Adults, $10; children younger than 12, $6
