Friday, May 05, 2006

Wilmington, N.C. - Frank Trimble, chair of the University of North Carolina Wilmington Department of Communication Studies, will direct The Thalian Association Community Theatre's production of the musical Footloose. Performances run May 11-14 and 19-21 on the main stage at Thalian Hall. Show times are 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.

Based on the motion picture of the same name, Footloose features the music direction of Chiaki Ito and choreography by Trimble and Erica Haines. UNCW Director of Human Resources William Fleming is playing one of the lead roles (Reverend Shaw Moore). One of Fleming's motivations to be involved in the show was the chance to work with his son Jeremy, a UNCW student. Numerous UNCW students, alumni and well-known Wilmington performers including Brian Prince (Ren), Katie Parker (Ariel), Heather Dahlberg (Ethel McCormack) and Karri Compton (Vi Moore) are participating in the production.

Trimble has previously directed Thalian productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and his own musical, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer kicked off the 2005-2006 season of the Little Compton Community Theatre, a New England theatre company. He also composed the original stage musicals, Fly Wright!: The Story of Two Brothers, Noah: An Ark Musical, On a Nutrition Mission! and Duplin Voices. Ito's local credits include recent production of Urinetown and Pippin.

The motion picture Footloose opened in 1984 and became an immediate blockbuster. The stage adaptation opened on Broadway in 1998 to similar success.

Trimble came to UNCW in 1983 and has served as chair of the Communication Studies Department since 1994. He was presented the 4th Annual J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award in Aug. 2005 and was the recipient of the 1996 UNCW Chancellors Teaching Excellence Award.

In Wilmington, Trimble has directed and choreographed 27 stage productions (10 at UNCW), been involved in the script writing and directing of various historical and educational video programs and performed in over 20 roles on stage, film, or television.

Ticket reservations for Footloose made by calling Thalian Hall box office at 910.343.3664 or 800.523.2820 after noon on weekdays and after 2 p.m. on weekends. Tickets are $16 and $18. For information on group rates, call 910.251.1788.

FOOTLOOSE

Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie

Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford

Music by Tom Snow

Lyrics by Dean Pitchford

Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman

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Frank Trimble may be contacted at 910.962.3441.