Lose Your Blues at Footloose.
Pittsburgh CLO's Footloose.
June 24, 2014
By Megan Grabowski
Pittsburgh's
debut of Footloose brings to stage
idyllic, youthful and perpetually
poignant teenage strife with a
musical score that is toe tapping and finger snapping. So long as there
are teenagers, there will be
rebellion, a question of authority and a
free- spiritedness that teeters between innocence and blind stupidity for years
at a time. This message plays without a
hiccup on the stage of the Benedum Center from June 24 through June 29, 2014.
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| Stephen Wilde, Christine Laitta, Patrick Cassidy, Betsy Lawrence and Jeffrey Howell |
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| Kristen Martin as Ariel, Dee Hoty as Vi Moore and Patrick Cassidy as Rev. Moore |
The story
begins when an average teen, Ren McCormack, moves from the big city of Chicago,
to the small country town of Bomont. His
mother chooses to relocate after her husband, Ren's father, abandons them. Once in Bomont Ren meets Rev. Shaw and
quickly learns about a town law banning dancing. The no dancing ordinance was passed, 5 years
prior, after a horrif accident took the lives of 4 Bomont teens who had been out dancing and
drinking. In the beginning Ren struggles
to make new friends but soon gains support from his peers as he attempts to convince the town council
and Rev. Shaw that a ban on dancing is not helping anyone, but rather trapping
them in the pain of the past.
Barry
Ivan, director/ choreographer, is no stranger to the
Benedum Center and CLO.
He is attentive to what Pittsburghers
expect and he undrestands what we have grown to demand from CLO
productions. Musical director, Tom Helm,
ensures the audience never misses a beat of beloved 80's top 40 hits;
“Let's Hear it for the Boy,” “Almost Paradise” and of course, the title
song, “Footloose”. The talented and accomplished
orchestra duplicate these well known
hits, originally made popular by the 1984 film Footloose, with
the same spunk and charm I recall from the radio play of my youth. Together,
Ivan and Helm execute another enjoyable night of musical theater in Pittsburgh.
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| Manuel Stark as Ren |
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| Manuel Stark as Ren and Kristen Martin as Ariel |
From the
opening number, I quickly caught on to the obvious cast chemistry, which works
wonders with the tightly synced
choreography. The amount of energy
emmeniating from the stage throughout this rendition of Footloose is
invigorating. Lead, Manuel Stark as Ren McCormack, is a showcase
of all around talent from the moment he graces the stage. In scence 2 when the audience is introduced
to the troubled young Ren, his mannerisms, depicting an angst filled teen, are
spot on, proving he is an exceptional actor and can offer the audience more
than just a good voice- he is the whole package. This is again evident in scene 4 as
Stark accomplishs numerous dance combinations while simultaneously
displaying an superb vocal range.
Opposite Stark, female lead Kristen Martin as Ariel, the teenage
daughter of Rev. Shaw, continually
portrays a relatable and resonant adolescent.
Despite my initial disappointment in her vocal performance during scene
3, “The Girl Gets Around”, Martin quickly reverses my impression. In scence 6, “Learning to Be Silent”,
Martin's performance highlights the
dynamic role she is challenged to play.
I give her much credit for
animating an adolescent with
authentic vigor and impertinence . In Act II scene 4, Ren and Ariel's delivery
of “Almost Paradise” is full of the enchantment I love about musical theater.
Their presentation further
confirms my initial sense of cast chemistry.
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| Cast |
Rusty, played
by supporting actor Jessie Hooker, belts out song after song with effortless
breaths. Her strong stage presence and
infectious smile light up the stage.
Hooker's melodious voice and
skillful harmonizing are carried out
with ease, most notably in scene 5,
“Somebody's Eyes”. “Hear it for the Boy”, another of Hooker's shining moments,
is the most memorable musical number from the show.
A rock solid
ensemble is a necessary foundation for any musical. Footloose's ensemble is uplifing, talented and vivacious. Even
during
the more serious scenes they keep
the audience cheerful and sincerely entertained.
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| Jessie Hooker as Rusty and Billy Hartung as Cowboy Bob |
From the
opening scence in a Chicago night club
to the final “Footloose” number in the high school gymnasium, Footloose
retains its momentum. The dancing
is fun to watch and the music encourages the audiene to bounce
their knees in their seats.
The show opens
with high energy dancing and singing and ends on
the same note. A fun performance from start to finish. Footloose mingles song and dance with
a story encompassing the multi- generational
struggles of adult vs. juvenile with a lighhearted mood and just a hint
of nostalgia.
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| Kristen Martin as Ariel and Manuel Stark as Ren |
Through June 29, 2014
For information, on ticket purchase and show
times please visit HERE.
Reviewed by Megan Grabowski
Professional writer, Social-Media Junkie, Community Fundraiser and Pittsburgh Enthusiast.
Professional writer, Social-Media Junkie, Community Fundraiser and Pittsburgh Enthusiast.
