On Theater: Music trumps drama in ‘Footloose’
To dance or not to dance. That’s the conundrum facing a small Midwestern town in the stage version of the 1984 Kevin Bacon movie “Footloose,” currently kicking up its heels at the Laguna Playhouse.
In a plot device reminiscent of the cartoon segment of a much earlier flick, “Anchors Aweigh,” Chicago teen transplant Ren McCormack lands in a Bible Belt town where dancing is banned. The law was passed following the auto crash deaths of four teenagers on their way home from a dance, and it is enforced by the town’s almighty preacher, who (we learn in the second act) was the father of one of the teen victims.
Naturally, Ren rebels, and soon the new kid on the block has dozens of followers, particularly the preacher’s daughter, who views Ren as a step up from her current future-gangster boyfriend. Ren sets out to head off the opposition at the generation gap.
At Laguna, Paula Hammons Sloan both directs and choreographs this sprightly musical, placing particular emphasis on the latter skill. Her ensemble sequences crackle with youthful fervor, and you may find yourself tapping your feet to the beat, no matter what your age.
As for the dramatic portions of the show, adapted by Dean Pitchford from his original screenplay, it’s more of a paint-by-numbers project with caricature prevailing over characterization. A notable exception is Logan Farine’s high-spirited Ren, who not only excels musically but who displays some Olympic-caliber gymnastic moves.
Lily Davis, as the rebellious preacher’s daughter who trades in her thug boyfriend for the charismatic newcomer, exhibits a slender sensuality along with a splendid voice. She’s nearly upstaged, however, by Charlene Jean as her voluptuous buddy who rocks out with one of the show’s hit numbers, “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.”
Jean is cast as the lusty Miss Rusty, who sets her sights (heaven knows why) on the strapping town nerd (Michael Stancliff), an amiable dolt who needs prodding to form a declarative sentence. Her backup singers are nicely enacted by Melissa Mangold (who doubles as dance captain) and Ashley Nicole Martin.
The show’s antagonist, the stony reverend, is thoughtfully portrayed by Ricky Pope as a confused and conflicted husband and father who can’t dismiss his family tragedy despite the threat of losing the daughter’s affection. Carol Robinson supplies an understated strength as his supportive wife.
Providing harsh conflict among the teens is Joseph Abrego as gang leader Chuck Cranston. The animosity between Chuck and Ren bubbles to a boiling point, then inexplicably fizzles out before an anticipated late-show confrontation.
Musically, “Footloose” is packed with hummable tunes, and Sloan’s choreography sets a frantic pace. The ensemble numbers are the high points of the show.
Stage musical versions of vintage movies seem in vogue these days, and “Footloose” fits into the middle ground of the genre. It’s a delightfully lightweight offering at the Laguna Playhouse.
TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the daily Pilot, Coastline Pilot and Huntington Beach Independent.
IF YOU GO:
What: “Footloose”
Where: Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 2 and 7:30 Saturdays; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays until Aug. 9
Cost: Call for ticket information.
Call: (949) 497-2787
