FOOTLOOSE - Colony Theatre

Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck

Footloose is an iconic tale, where wishes come true after a long period of living in the shadow of tragedy and grief over a loss of a loved one, and where dancing and singing are strongly prohibited. The story is told with clever dialogue and great classical songs of the eighties. The grief of the tragic impact affected all people in the small town of Bomont where a teen Ren McCormack (Brady Fritz)) moves with his mother Vi Moore (Whitney Kathleen Vigil) after his father left them. The loss of a young boy is paired with a father's loss of his son in a tragic accident many, many years ago. But the young lad cannot stand still. His feet are dancing and he takes a leap for freedom for all the people of Bomont, especially the young ones, and faces the town council, some of the strongest people in town, who are under the strong influence of Reverend Shaw Moore (Larry Cedar). The happy end is influenced by reciting a line from the Bible: "There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance".  And the darkness is lifted through a magical power of forgiveness, where healing takes over and freedom is achieved. In the final happy end, true love happens between the Reverend's daughter Ariel (Kelsey Lee Smith), and our protagonist Ren McCormick.

The Colony Theatre (Heather Provost, Producing Artistic Director) presents Panic! Productions (Paul Panico, Alison Mahay) and BarCinBoo Productions (Barry Pearl, Cindy Pearl) show. The musical is skillfully directed by Barry Pearl and Co-directed & choreographed by Michelle Elkin. Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, stage adaptation is done by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. The memorable music is arranged by Tom Snow with Lyrics by Dean Pitchford. Additional music is done by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman. Scenic & Lighting Design is created by Justin Huen, Costumes Design Azucena Dominguez, Sound Design Joseph 'Sloe' Slawinski, Projection Design Gabrieal Griego and Production Stage Manager is John W. Calder III, assisted of Holly Tichen.

The playful cast of so many includes Brady Fritz (Ren McCormack), Kelsey Lee Smith ((Ariel Moore), Robin De Lano (Vi Moore), Larry Cedar (Reverend Shaw Moore), Casey Anne Apregan (Rusty), James Beardsley (Willard Hewitt), Whitney Kathleen Vigil (Ethel McCormack), Sammy Linkowski (Chuck Cranston), Cami Del Rosario (Urleen), Lauren Lorati (Wendy Jo). The rest of ensemble are Laura Aronoff, Lauren Barette, Melvin Biteng, Mary Kate Chapman, Arielle Dettmer, Lysa Dyson, Noah Heie, Christopher Ho, Ceron Jones, Veronica Carolina Leite, Karen Macarah, Almand Martin Jr., Cindy Pearl, Michael Riskin, Coby Rogers, Mathew San Jose, Callula Sawyer, Christopher Robert Smith, Madison Miyuki Sprague and Michael Wells.

At the Colony Theatre stage (a place where putting theart in the heart of Burbank) dazzling feet jump, leap, sway, spin, turn, twirl, hitting the dance floor with enthusiasm and the love for the theatre art. By its conclusion, the audience is filled with warmth and does not want the show to end.  The opening party that followed had another set of performances that took place. A fun evening indeed!                                                                                                       

The tickets for Footloose the musical at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, 555 N Third St. Burbank, CA 91502 which is playing through March 17, Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. The tickets can be purchased at (818) 558-7000,  Fax: (818) 558-7110, boxoffice@colonytheatre.org