Getting Footloose in Park City

Everybody’s going to “kick off the Sunday shoes” when the Ziegfeld Theatre's production of Footloose comes to Park City's Egyptian Theatre.

Leading the way will be Aathaven Tharmarajah, starring as Ren McCormack. This role was made famous by Kevin Bacon in the 1984 movie. He has performed in a wide range of high school productions, but now, a freshman at Universtiy of Utah, this is his debut with Ziegfeld and in a starring role, no less.

Tharmarajah, who majors in biology with an emphasis in biochemistry has learned to balance his academic requirements and theatrical passion. “It was difficult at first, but once I got a schedule going and timed everything accordingly it wasn't so bad. I believe that as long as you are passionate and motivated, you'll be able to accomplish anything to the best of your abilities.”

The cast will be well practiced after their Ogden run which opened February 23. Tharmarajah was nervous before going on stage opening night and about the whole show in general. “I’ve been told that having some nervous energy before a performance is always good, and in the end, it turned out to be a great performance that the audience really enjoyed.”

Frequent performances with Infrared, the University of Utah's pop a cappella group has helped him perfect his singing, but Tharmarajah only started dancing 3 years ago. He joined his high school ballroom team and a conservatory team where he gained basic training in contemporary dance and ballet. “Since then, I’ve just been taking open dance classes at Millennium in SLC. I am definitely interested in becoming more technically trained in ballet and jazz and may begin to work on that after Footloose.”

Get your ticket for Footloose and help Aathaven Tharmarajah and the Ziegfeld cast tear up this town! The production runs at the Egyptian Theatre March 22nd - April 1st. Tickets are available at egyptiantheatrecompany.org.