The stage adaptation
of the movie “Footloose,” appearing at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, has plenty of energy and heart, critic Matthew Palm says.
As a teenager, I would carry my cassette tape of the “Footloose” soundtrack to friends’ homes so we could listen together. “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Almost Paradise,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and, of course, the title track — these were the songs of my youth.
One winter, my cassette must have slipped out of its case — and in Upstate New York, that meant it vanished into a snowy wasteland. I was distraught.
I tell this story only to paint a picture of how much “Footloose” means to me. Good news: The production of the film’s stage adaptation, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, more than does my affection justice.
Full of heart and boosted by crisp performances, an outstanding live band, a clever set design, goodtime choreography and lighting that mixes stagecraft with a pop-concert vibe, this “Footloose” is alive and kicking.
Under the direction of Steve MacKinnon, the able cast makes more of the script than is actually there.
The St. Luke’s crew doesn’t skimp on the big production numbers, full of splashy choreography by Kim Ball, yet also injects the story with heart wherever possible. It’s there when Spencer Morrow’s teenage Ren sings “Maybe I won’t miss my dad.” Or when Barbara Hartwig glances at her misguided husband with sorrow, love and hope — all in the same moment. Or when Ralph Daniel, as the town’s overzealous minister, finds a human connection with Ren.
Moments like those turn what could be a nostalgic concert into a show.
The story, if you don’t remember, follows young Ren, forced to move to a small town after his father abandons the family. He promptly falls for the minister’s wayward daughter (Andrea Stack, who can play both fierceness and vulnerability with ease). But the minister, paralyzed with grief, has outlawed dancing in the town.
And Ren wants to change that.
As Ren, Morrow has a likable goofiness, reminiscent of Zach Braff. Daniel succeeds admirably in making the minister as much a man as a monster. Rob Stack shows solid comedy chops, especially in his big number, “Mama Says.” And Khristy Chamberlain, Kayla Lopez and Alejandra Martinez make a dynamite vocal trio.
MacKinnon has cast a few actors for whom high school is clearly in the rearview mirror.
But that’s just about forgivable when the talent level is so strong.
By the way, about that cassette I lost as a child — I found it when the snow melted in the spring. Incredibly, it still played. In all forms, apparently “Footloose” has a lot of life in it.