Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Tom Gorman on a popular production’s special place in the hearts of faculty and students at Cimarron-Memorial High School

The movie-turned-theater production "Footloose" plays well at high schools because of its theme of teenage rebellion in the face of strict social mores.

It also addresses how people react to tragedy. And in that respect, I doubt "Footloose" has ever struck closer to home than it has on the stage of Cimarron-Memorial High School.

In the play, a bitter, small-town minister rethinks his opposition to rock music and dancing after finally coming to terms with the death of his 16-year-old son.

In song, the minster reflects, "For 16 winters and 15 springs, I had a son, and still it stings when I remember all the things we did, me and my kid."

Among the students who performed in "Footloose" in January was JonMichael Ginoulias, a very likable young actor rare for his tenderness and improvisational skills.

In "Footloose," he played the bully's role. His friends told me that off stage, he cried in stress because he was so uncomfortable, having to be rough with a girl. He was raised to be a gentleman, and on campus he was one.

Eleven days after performing in "Footloose," JonMichael was fatally shot off campus.

He was in his 16th winter.

Every year, the school's faculty and staff reprises the student production to raise money for scholarships. It's always been a real hoot, watching the coaches and secretaries and English teachers on stage, trying their best to dance and sing.

No one is quite sure how the cast and crew will hold up this week, when "Footloose" returns to campus.

Among those performing will be Jessie Gonzalez, the school's athletic director, who also teaches Spanish. Coach Gonzalez had JonMichael in one of his classes, and he is playing the role of bully Chuck Cranston, just as JonMichael did.

"I got the role the Thursday before JonMichael died," the coach said. "On Friday, he shook my hand and said he was excited I got the part. And now, I'm doing it in his memory. I hope I do him justice. But I know he'll be watching, and he'll say, 'Good job, coach!' "

JonMichael was killed Jan. 22. He and a handful of buddies went to a friend's house that Sunday morning and were confronted by a neighbor who was angry because of a slashed car tire. JonMichael and the others had been at a party at the friend's house the night before, and after someone called in to complain about the noise, police broke it up.

According to Metro Police, Donald Schuster, 30, confronted the teens the next morning. Exactly what transpired is under investigation, but Schuster allegedly fired a handgun at least twice, killing JonMichael and wounding a second boy. Schuster told police he felt threatened.

Schuster has since been charged with murder by the Clark County district attorney's office and is in custody. At his arraignment on Wednesday, he pleaded not guilty; the trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 28.

On the nearly 3,000-student campus, news of JonMichael's death hit the theater department the hardest. Students and teachers held one another and told JonMichael stories. Tears turned to laughter with fond recollections of his smart improvisations.

"JonMichael could rescue a dying scene," said theater director Helene Laatikainen.

Attention slowly turned to the staff production of "Footloose." Tears flowed at the first rehearsal. It was cathartic.

This time, when the minister's song about losing his 16-year-old son played over the speakers, everyone really listened to the words. Throats tightened and eyes stung.

"We're healing," Laatikainen said. "We are doing this play because of our love for this young man."

These staff productions usually make enough money to fund six $1,000 student scholarships. Tickets for the show, which runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday, cost $7 for students, $8 for adults.

Each year, two of the scholarships are earmarked for theater students.

Laatikainen said JonMichael surely would have earned a scholarship next year.

The role of the Rev. Shaw Moore will be played this week by Charles Young, an English teacher.

In the play, he addresses the teenager who wants to bring rock music and dance back to the community. The minister, still raw from the loss of his own son, says he is simply trying to protect children.

"You are too young," he says, "to understand the dangers that face this world."

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