Released in 1984, the original “Footloose” follows protagonist Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) as he seeks to rewrite the rules of his new hometown, Bomont, Utah. A Chicago native, Ren is taken aback by the tight-knit, conservative nature of Bomont, and he is constantly being judged for not knowing and following the town’s strange laws—particularly, the one that bans dancing. Teaming up with the other high schoolers, Ren seeks to change the congregation’s mind about dancing and overturn this ban. Along the way, he befriends Willard Hewitt (Chris Penn) and becomes a love interest to the reverend’s rebellious daughter Ariel Moore (Lori Singer). The musical version of “Footloose”—released in 1998—brings the same heartwarming story of friendship, rebellion, grief and family through its emotional and upbeat score. And this past weekend, Case Western Reserve University Footlighters took on the challenge, bringing to Eldred Hall a rendition of “Footloose” that was nothing short of a professional production.
From the get-go, this show had all the right elements: catchy numbers, a comedic skit and actors who embody the characters they depict. Second-year AJ Williams played a charming Ren, and first-year Shareen Chahal brought the perfect blend of delicate and devious to Ariel’s character. Other standout performances came from fourth-year Daniela Richardson’s energetic dance sequences; third-year Eva Kadirvel, who commanded the stage in every song she was a part of; and second-year Evan Durkee, who provided much-needed comedic relief with his version of Willard. Graduate student Milana Sacco and second-year Austin Kennedy carried the roles of Vi Moore and Reverend Shaw Moore, respectively, with the utmost maturity. Their character arcs were developed with care, especially Shaw’s transformation from a rigid authority figure to a more understanding father.
Vocally, the cast delivered powerful performances across the board. Rusty, Urleen and Wendy Jo gave a memorable rendition of “Somebody’s Eyes” with suspenseful harmonies, perfectly capturing the song’s eerie undertone. Durkee’s performance of “Mama Says” was a clear crowd favorite, packed with silly dance moves and laughs that made his character as a whole loveable. Shaw’s duet with Vi, “Can You Find It in Your Heart,” was a particularly touching moment that was a welcome counter to the production’s more upbeat numbers, pushing forward the serious message of this show.
These striking numbers were paired with equally powerful choreography. The dance sequences, particularly in high-energy songs such as “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” captured the spirit of rebellion and youthful exuberance that defines the “Footloose” franchise. Unique to CWRU Footlighters’ productions, performances from featured dancers—first-year Snow Lin and fourth-year Mariana Davis—were welcome additions to the main cast. Especially in the more upbeat songs, the featured dancers added a layer of complexity to the choreography on stage.
Behind the scenes, CWRU Footlighters’ set and lighting designers, costume crews and live pit impressed with their artistic talent and attention to detail. The sets were neatly designed and flowed easily from one scene to the next. The Burger Blast set was one of my favorites, equipped with a realistic diner counter and four red bar stools to match. The lighting team sold each scene with spotlight moments and color light fades that brought life to the stage. The costume designs reflected the youthful energy of the story, with fun, vibrant outfits for the teens and more subdued, conservative clothing for the adults. There is truly nothing more iconic than Ariel’s red cowboy boots, and I was glad to see them make an appearance throughout the show. Of course, this review would be remiss without a special shout-out to the pit, whose contributions—while hidden under the theater—shall not be forgotten!
A near-perfect production received an equally impactful end in its long-awaited grand finale, fit with a giant disco ball. The title number, “Footloose,” was an explosion of energy, with every cast member on stage dancing in perfect synchronization as the audience hummed along. The disco lighting effects, combined with the upbeat dance sequences from every member of the cast, created a moment that truly encapsulated the spirit of the show—joyful, rebellious and full of life.
Needless to say, CWRU Footlighters did justice to the classic “Footloose” production. Between strong technical direction, great costuming, skillful acting and memorable musical numbers, this was a production that was well worth a watch. CWRU Footlighters has once again proved that CWRU students have got talent, and when put together, they really know how to cut loose.