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Cast, tunes overcome predictable story
By Leah A. Zeldes
Daily Herald Correspondent
Posted Thursday, September 22, 2005
A spirited Chicago youth moves to a small town so buttoned up that
they’ve banned dancing, and meets the rebellious daughter of the
authoritarian local minister.... Even if you never saw the 1984 movie
starring Kevin Bacon, you can guess the outcome of “Footloose.” But an
energetic and attractive young cast, bouncy tunes and fine voices
overcome the silly, predictable, borrowed story line in old-fashioned
musical tradition.From
its Kenny Loggins title song to the love ballad “Almost Paradise,” the
score will sound familiar - the film’s soundtrack spawned six Top 40
singles, a couple of which hit MTV before the movie was even released.
Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie’s stage adaptation, which won 1999
Tony Awards for its script and score and ran more than 700 performances
on Broadway, also includes nine original songs by Tom Snow and
Pitchford. Director David H. Bell’s seamless staging keeps things
at a fast-pace in the Marriott Theatre production, with slick set
changes in an effective, minimalist design by Thomas M. Ryan. Diane
Ferry Williams’ expert lighting fills in admirably for stage
furnishings and adds to the energy. Tyler Hanes dances zestfully
through his rendition of Ren McCormack, the smart-mouthed teenager
forced to move to small-town Bomont to live with his mother’s sister
after his dad abandons the family. Megan Reinking - all blond ringlets
and insouciance - defines the defiant teen girl as the frustrated
daughter of the local preacher. She, Carly Hughes, Robin Childress and
Vasthy Mompoint exude an almost tangible odor of bubblegum and female
pheromones as they recount their dissatisfaction with local males in
the lively “Holding Out for a Hero.” With the talented ensemble, the
last three also do a spine-tingling performance of the eerie
“Somebody’s Eyes,” beautifully presented here. Indeed, Hughes’
smooth vocals number among the highlights of the production, in this
and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.” The powerhouse voice of Dorrey Lyles,
honed by a gospel career, is also something to look forward to, in her
all-too-brief appearances in minor roles. Voices and staging also unite
potently in the poignant women’s lament, “Learning to Be Silent,”
performed by Susan Moniz, as the minister’s wife; Cheryl Avery, as
Ren’s mother; and Reinking. An eight-piece band, conducted by Patti
Garwood, does the music justice.
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| Vasthy Mompoint, Robin Childress, Carly Hughes, and
Megan Reinking |
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The dancing is as good as the singing. Bell’s vigorous choreography
seems a bit disjointed in Act I, but comes together in Act II.“Footloose-The Musical”
Threeout of four stars
Location: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire
> Times: 1 and 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 27
>Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes with intermission
Parking: Free self-parking and $5 valet parking
Tickets:
$42 (dinner included Wednesday and Thursday evenings; $5 senior and
student discounts Sundays and Wednesday and Thursday evenings)
Box office: (847) 634-0200
http://www.marriotttheatre.com
Rating: Family friendly
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