Footloose
Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter BobbieMusic By Tom Snow
Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Reviewed By Grant Palmore
Grab your dancing shoes! Repertory Company Theater’s rapturous production of Footloose burst onto the scene last Friday night with a blast of 80’s toe-tapping delight.
Footloose, a musical adaptation of the 1984 blockbuster hit, follows Ren McCormick (played by energetic and strong-voiced Lorenzo Gapud) as he and his mother Ethel (played by Laura Alley with sage wit) transplant from the lively streets of Chicago and try to adapt to the conservative customs of Bomont, Texas.
Immediately, Ren seems at odds with most people he interacts with — his teachers, his aunt and uncle, and, most notably, the leader of the local church (and corresponding community) Reverend Shaw (played with stolid piety and rich voice by Aaron Adair). In particular, Ren realizes that dancing, one of his favorite pastimes, has been abolished in the town for its association to immoral living.
I’m sure to Reverend Shaw’s chagrin, dance seems to saturate into every facet of RCT’s powerfully sung Footloose (direction by Michelle Levall, music direction by Bonnie Barber). Scenes transition smoothly from one to the other with lighting and set changes like cuts of a movie reel (Light Design by Josh Hensley, Stage Management by Kathryn Hill). And, of course, the cast shakes, twists and jumps skillfully across every part of the stage’s real estate. (Impressive aerobic choreography by Kym Buchly). Songs Holding Out For A Hero, I’m Free, and the titular Footloose provide particularly fantastic feats of movement.
Throughout the production, there are several sublime performances. Alongside Reverend Shaw are his demure and less severe wife Vi Shaw (played sincerely by Jennifer McMillin in lovely soprano) and his insurgent daughter Ariel (played fiercely and excellent belt by Brooke Bishop).
Ariel’s trio of bantering best friends Rusty (played with loyal earnest by Ridley Cooley), Wendy Jo (played by Audrey Reidling, a gleefully empty-head), and Urleen (played by Hannah Sanza, a silly boy-craze) provide levity and beautifully-blended harmonies (particularly lovely during Somebody’s Eyes). There is also Ariel’s troublesome boyfriend Chuck (played with alarming ire by David Allsup) Allsup’s rocks The Girl Gets Around with his cronies Trevor and Lyle (played by Elise Ponce and Steven Rios respectively).
In Ren’s corner, his friend Willard (played by Jacob Waters) corners comedy in his easy blustery confidence in nearly every line. His charming performance of Mama Says is a guffaw from the start. And his trio of support in Jeter, Bickle, and Garvin have enough expressions to have you rolling (played funnily by Brendan Tetter, Timothy Crisp, and Preston Phillips respectively).
Bishop and Gapud present a pleasing range of emotion: in one moment they spar with witty quips — in another, they explore the vulnerable souls underneath their outer shell. Their effortless rendition of Almost Paradise soars passionately through the theater.
RCT delivers a night of laughter, leisure and liveliness. And, as the song says, a way to lose your blues! Footloose plays from Friday, June 16 - Sunday, June 25, at Repertory Company Theater in Richardson, Texas. Get your tickets today!
*Footloose is currently sold out and some tickets may be available one hour before the show opens. Please no phone calls.
Audience Rating: PG13
Run Time: 2 hours 20 minutes, 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not available
Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available
ASL Performance: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable volume level
Noises or Visuals to Prepare For: Flashing lights
Check it out!
Grant Palmore
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