The snow is melting, the air is warmer, and Northfield Middle and High School's halls are filled with music. This can only mean two things: spring is finally coming and the annual Spring Musical directed by Mary Corrigan and Lorraine Monmaney is near.

This year's production is Footloose. It is the story about a small town that is grieving because of the deaths of four teenagers.

One of the teenagers is the minister's son. In an attempt to save the other teens and Ariel, his daughter, the minister and the other adults ban dancing in the town. Ren, a boy from Chicago, moves to the town and decides to take a stand against the ban. This puts him in direct conflict with the adults and creates an uplifting story of standing up for what you believe and "laying your burden down."

Playing the minister, Shaw Moore, is Sean Fricke. His daughter is played by Molly Clark, and Ren, the boy from Chicago, is played by Jeff Parry. Footloose has many talented students from grades 6 through 12, and even a few adults from Northfield. Raegan Tomczyk, an 8th grader, says, "Footloose is something everyone enjoys being part of, and at practice, we get a lot done because we work together."

The songs in this production run from slow, deeply touching songs to upbeat numbers with exciting choreography. The music featured in this play is composed by several musicians, including Kenny Loggins. Some songs such as "Footloose," "Holding Out for a Hero," and "Let's Hear it for the Boy" are familiar to many people. Even if the music is not known by the audience when they enter the auditorium, between the energy of the cast and the rocking sounds of the band, the audience will be smiling and wanting to cut footloose by the end of the show.

Footloose will be presented on April 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. and April 4 at 1:30 p.m.

The tickets cost $5.00 and go on sale for the general public on March 24 in the auditorium lobby between 7:30 a.m. and 8:10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

For inquiries call the school, 485-4500. Don't miss the annual spring musical featuring an all-star cast of Northfield Middle and High School students.