(Enlarge) Kyle Peter VanZandt as Willard, left, offers friendly advice to newcomer Ren (A.J. Whittenberger) in a homegrown staging of the musical “Footloose” by the Drama Learning Center’s Summer Stage troupe, Aug. 1 through 8 in Columbia.

Who says teens and adults can't share a common vision?

The Drama Learning Center's Summer Stage production of "Footloose," which opens Saturday, Aug. 1, has brought together nearly two dozen actors from both age groups, and it has had nothing but a positive effect on all concerned.

So says Stephanie Williams, who owns the Drama Learning Center. Her troupe made its debut last year with a similar all-ages production of the musical "Songs For a New World."

"A mix of teens and adults is kind of our goal for each summer," Williams says. "It's to give teens the opportunity to work with adults in a professional theater environment, as professional as a community theater opportunity can be."

When kids get to watch adults in action, Williams says, it "really shows them what it's like to work at a professional level.

"They really rise to the occasion. A lot of the younger performers in the show are members of our Teaching Young Actors company already, our teen professional company. So they're used to working that fast-paced, responsible rehearsal process.

"And I think it's really good for them to see others that are older that have been doing this for a long time."

The musical "Footloose," which opened on Broadway in 1998, is based on a 1984 movie hit that starred Kevin Bacon. That made it an obvious pick for Williams, who calls herself "a huge fan of the 1980s" and says she keeps the radio in her car pretty much fixed on XM radio's '80s station.

"Footloose" tells the story of a teenage boy named Ren who moves from Chicago to a rural town where the local reverend has pushed law enforcement to institute a ban on dancing. When the reverend's rebellious daughter takes a shine to Ren, complications ensue, especially since she happens to be dating the town bully.

The soundtrack includes a passel of hits, two of which went to the No. 1 spot (for the nostalgic-minded, they include the title track by Kenny Loggins and "Let's Hear It for the Boy," which was performed by Deniece Williams). Another song, the ballad "Almost Paradise," also became a top-10 hit.

But where the movie used those songs as backdrops to its various scenes, the theatrical production, by Dean Pitchford, found a way to use them to advance his story.

"They've made a lot of changes to allow the characters to sing these songs and express themselves through the lyrics," explains Williams. "They've adapted the songs and created some new songs to further the plot, to get you into the characters a little more."

Although the work broaches some serious themes, including the dangers posed by political and religious organizations to liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Williams says the overall effect is that of a "lighthearted summer show.

"It's got some darker moments, but all in all there's a lot of dancing and some fun songs -- some rocking '80s tunes."

The adult cast includes Toby's Dinner Theatre veteran Jessica Coleman in the lead female role of Ariel, and fellow Toby's actor Melynda Burdette in the role of Ren's mother, Ethel.

Other featured adults include Katie Callahan, Kevin Cleaver, Paul Ciaravella, Jeff Davis, Nan Kaestner and Lauren Williams.

Teen-agers in featured roles include Jeff Lewis as Chuck, Ryann Lillis as Wendy Jo, Emily Sutter as Urleen, Kyle Peter VanZandt as Willard and A.J. Whittenberger as Ren.

The teen ensemble is comprised of Cameron Cox, Kenzie Delaney, Tyler Delaney, Elliot Halperin, Megan Henderson, Paris McGrann, Cody McNeeley, Brady Stevens and Alexa Welch.

Directing the show will be recent Goucher College graduate Robin Schwartz. The live musical direction will be handled by Richard Blankman, who also oversees the music for the Drama Learning Center's adult troupe, the Red Branch Theatre Company. Jason Wiggins has choreographed all the special moves.

"Footloose" was to have been produced as the center's summer show last year, Williams notes, which was when she first secured rights to the work. But since she had just taken over the Drama Learning Center and was trying to get two separate drama troupes up and running, she decided it was wiser to wait a year.

"It was the show we wanted to kick off our season with, but it's such a big-cast show. We ended up doing a smaller show last summer to get us started," she adds. This year, the timing is good and Williams says her multi-generational cast is poised to break "'Loose."

The Drama Learning Center's Summer Stage will present "Footloose" on Saturday, Aug. 1, and Thursday-Saturday, Aug.6-8, at 8 p.m. A Sunday performance on Aug. 2, at 6 p.m., will be preceded by a 4 p.m. pre-show summer party featuring food and music. There will also be a matinee Saturday, Aug. 8, at 3 p.m.

All performances take place at the Drama Learning Center, 9130-I Red Branch Road, Columbia. Admission is $15 general, $12 for groups of 10 or more. Call 410-997-9352 or go to www.dramalearningcenter.com.

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