Footloose - 42nd Street Productions

Show – Footloose – The Musical

Playwright/Composer – Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, music by Tom Snow, with additional music by Eric Carman, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, based on the screenplay by Dean Pitchford.

Production Company/Theatre space – 42nd Street Productions, Evan Hazell theatre, Seton YMCA.

Length – 2 ACT (2 hours, 20 minutes, one intermission)

Genre/s – Musical

Premise – A big city boy, who loves to dance, relocates to a small town where dancing is prohibited, tries to change the minds of the lawmakers while the girl he has a crush on is in an abusive relationship with a thug (who also beats him up).

Why this play? Why now? – A recognizable name brand and crowd pleaser.

Curiosities – I wondered why theatres, when the have the program on their website, don’t remind the audience to turn off their phones at the top of Act Two. Do people think that, if the music is loud, it’s ok to chat with each other?

Notable Moment – The quiet interpersonal moments with mom and the love interest are sweet, but the big dance numbers are impressive.

Notable writing – The story is formulaic but keeps to the plot of the original screenplay. It’s the song’s music and lyrics that are worth the drive to the deep south.

Notable performances – Griffin Kehler as the city boy lead is the talented backbone of the show. He and his urbanite sidekick Layne Zazalak have some great moments. Kevin Aichele, as controlling Reverend, puts a human face on grief. The ensemble is first rate with Parker Sinclair and Madison Verardi as standouts. Kudos to the MD Selena Fische and the live band.

Notable design/Production – Scott Derwitz’s set design comprises sturdy pieces rolled on and off to represent various locations. These worked best when we were watching the performers in dumbshow, and the set movement didn’t become the focus of the transitions. Costume Designer Catherine Hanford’s handles what must be over 100 costumes with aplomb. (I only bumped on the bare midriff on the cheerleaders’ outfits which flew in the face of the puritanical ethos.) Opening night there were some sound gremlins and not all the lavs worked making duets seem like solos – but this of course is fixable.

Notable direction – Scott Derwitz, AD, Director, Choreographer, and Set Designer is the driving force behind this exuberant production. Calgary needs to see much more of his work.

One reason to see this show – Especially if this is the soundtrack from your youth in the 80s, this is for you! I hope they sell out.