It’s a story about youth rebellion, freedom of expression, and the clash between tradition and conformity to the expression of new ideas and love.

The Northern Lehigh Little Theatre presents its spring play “Footloose,” with all shows being sold out.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday in the Northern Lehigh High School auditorium.

Kayla Driscoll, director, selected the show “because I saw a lot of parallels for a generation of students who were longing to break free of the things that held them back over the past few years and allow them to celebrate their individuality and the freedom to make their own choices. Footloose is timeless, as it celebrates its 40th year anniversary of the original movie, and we still connect with these ideas of grief, loss, celebration, forgiveness, love, and joy.”

“Ren McCormack moves to the small town of Bomont from bustling Chicago, shocked to see that dancing has been outlawed after a fatal accident several years prior that took the life of four students,” Driscoll said. “Ren challenges the strict rules imposed by the town’s reverend and tries to bring music and dancing back into the community, while making everlasting friendships and falling in love with the reverend’s daughter, Ariel, in the process.”

Driscoll said the students have exceeded her expectations.

“This group of students have been some of the most passionate, hard working, and dedicated that I’ve ever worked with,” she said. “Since the fall, they have been locked in to the demands of this show, the looming daunting choreography, vocals, and acting that were on the horizon.

“The actors have connected to this story in such a beautiful, heartwarming way and the joy they radiate when they perform is infectious. They’ve responded to the demands of their creative team with energy, focus, and care.”

Driscoll said they have a cast of 24 students, along with a crew of six students, as well as a professional creative team that has been working around the clock to rise to the standards that these students have continued to do since December.

Main characters include Ren McCormack, played by high school senior Bailey Smith whom Driscoll said is in his first musical involvement “and he has been a driving force of community, care, and energy in our space. Bailey has helped to inspire every member of this production, whether they are new or veterans to theatre.”

Driscoll said other main characters are Ariel Moore, played by senior Jessica Erkinger; Shaw Moore, played by junior Matthew Miller; Rusty, played by senior Abigail Peartree; and Willard, played by senior Jackson Hunsicker.

“This production is full of wonderful individuals as young as seventh-grade middle schoolers to a very large group of seniors,” she said. “Fourteen seniors will take part in this production on and off the stage; some of whom who will continue theatre in their schooling career, some who have dedicated six-plus years to our program, and some who have never done something so new before.

“It is a celebration of youth and a very emotional process for myself to see so many students give their final bows on Sunday. This show has been a dream of mine to direct for years and while there was always an air of uncertainty when the show was announced in the fall, these students have given their love and care day-after-day to make it a reality.”

Driscoll chose to include a director’s note in the program, which she feels summarizes her hopes and visions of the production.

“Welcome to Northern Lehigh Little Theatre’s production of “Footloose!” I am thrilled to share this journey into Bomont with you and this incredible cast, crew, creative team, and technical team,” she said. “It is truly remarkable to reflect on this story in the year of its 40th anniversary.”