Murphy said he identified with his character, Ren, "100 per cent. He's the new kid in town, different to everyone else – that's pretty much me."

There were some differences. In the musical, based on the 1984 film, Ren moves with his mother from Chicago to the small town of Bomont when his father deserts them.

"He lost his dad in his life – I've lost someone very close to me, I can relate to that."

It's a place where dancing and loud music are forbidden, because of the influence of Reverend Shaw Moore (Tim Stiles), whose son died in a car accident coming home from a dance. As well as trying to fit in and make friends, Ren wants to get this ban overturned.

Murphy said that although he was a musical person – he began learning the piano at the age of four and taught himself guitar and drums – he had never been in a musical play until this year. He played a supporting role in Free-Rain's West Side Story and found a new group of friends with whom he felt he belonged.

He said his favourite number in Footloose was Al-most Paradise, which Ren sings with Ariel (Eliza Shephard), Moore's daughter, with whom he is falling in love.

"For three minutes nothing else matters except the emotions and the huge power of love we're going through at that time."

Musical director Nicholas Griffin said he was "one degree of separation from Kevin Bacon – I'm doing a show where he was the star of the motion picture".

He said of this score, 'Quite frankly, with rock, I'm in my element."

His favourite song in the show was Holding Out For A Hero.

"It's exquisite, so perfect. People should expect to be blown away by it."

Footloose is on at the ANU Arts Centre from September 13 to 28. Tickets $35-$40. Bookings: 62571950 or canberrarep.org.au, dinner and show packages available from Teatro Vivaldi on 62572718.