‘Footloose’ @ The Firehouse Theatre
Photo by Jason Anderson/Pendleton Studios
—Hannah Kneen
The Firehouse Theatre is cutting loose this summer with a lively production of the musical Footloose. Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, this show hits the stage with good direction and choreography by J. Austin Eyer and music direction from Jason Philip Solis.
If you’re familiar with the classic film starring Kevin Bacon, then you know the plot of this musical. The story follows young Ren McCormack (Andrew Cave) as he moves to the small town of Bomont from the bustling city of Chicago. He soon learns that, as a response to a car accident that killed some local teens returning from a dance some years ago, the town has outlawed dancing.
As someone who has a whole song and dance entitled “I Can’t Stand Still,” this is a problem for Ren. He meets and connects with some of the townspeople, including Willard Hewitt (Max Rose), who quickly becomes his friend, and Ariel Moore (Summer Good), who ends up becoming his romantic interest. And oops, it’s Romeo and Juliet: Ariel is the daughter of Reverend Shaw Moore (Kris Allen), the man with the most power in the town and the driving force behind the law prohibiting dancing.
With hit songs like “Holding Out For A Hero,” “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” and of course “Footloose,” this musical (tunes are by Tom Snow and others, lyrics by Pitchford—with some bits from Kenny Loggins—and the book is by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie) is a festival of boot-scooting sound. Andrew Cave as Ren and Summer Good as Ariel both do a great job with their roles. Cave’s Ren is energetic and joyous but still handles the more nuanced aspects of the role very well, especially his conflict with Reverend Moore. Good has a great voice and plays Ariel’s mixed feelings about her father admirably.
Two more couples caught my eye as being exceptionally good. Rusty (Sarah Jo Adams) and Willard (Max Rose) were absolutely adorable together. When Willard learned to dance (to impress Rusty) in “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” I was charmed. And as Rusty, Adams has a stellar voice to go with the rest of her stellar performance.
Reverend Shaw Moore (Kris Allen) and Vi Moore (Hilary Evitt Allen) were the other couple who impressed me. Kris Allen’s performance as the Reverend captured his grief over his son’s death (his son being one of the teenagers killed in the crucial car accident). His heartache over being in conflict with his daughter is also portrayed skillfully. His reprise of “Heaven Help Me” hits straight to the heart. His wife Vi, played by Hilary Evitt Allen, matched him well. These two characters felt very genuine in every part of the play. Hilary Evitt Allen’s Vi Moore captured my heart, especially in her song “Learning To Be Silent”— beautifully poignant, yet retaining enough wry humor to keep it from feeling too heavy.
Tech for this show was simple but effective. I was very impressed by Jason Philip Solis’s music direction and Michael Marbry’s sound design. J. Austin Eyer’s choreography is full of lifts and life, and keeps the show spirited and vibrant throughout. Scenic design and build by Logan Uhtenwoldt and Maggie Sproul was simple, but this show doesn’t need things to be fancy. There were some nice touches: a tear-away sign was used perfectly near the beginning, and we learn a lot about Ariel from the graffiti/poetry wall she uses to honor her brother.
If you’re in the mood to kick up some dust and feel fancy free, this is the show for you. A solid take on a classic story, TFT’s Footloose has plenty of heart and isn’t afraid to show it.
WHEN: May 16 - June 2, 2024
WHERE: 2535 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch TX
WEB: https://thefirehousetheatre.com/
