Footloose

Theater Review

I really don't think that it's necessary to write a seven hundred and fifty word review of "Footloose" when I can sum up the entire play in one word - energy. From the moment the actors pull up the makeshift curtain until the finale, "Footloose" is a pure adrenaline rush. This energy is what makes "Footloose" work so well. The actors are so energized that he audience literally feeds off of them. In return, through their applause and foot tapping, the audience throws that energy right back at them. This relatively intimate exchange between the players and audience is really exciting. It has been years since I have felt this type of energy in a theatrical production.

"Footloose" does not get its energy exclusively from the actors. The technical elements of this play also added a great deal to the overall liveliness of the production. One such element is the use of color in the lighting and in the set design. "Footloose" is a play about finding the spirituality in the seemingly most profane of things. To emphasize the conflict between the holy and the worldly each scene has a different color scheme. Light tones of yellow and whites are used in the more religious scenes giving the audience a sense of the spiritual. A feeling of the secular is brought about through the use of deep blue colors and flashy neon lights. In addition, pure unadulterated primary colors are used in the school scenes in order to represent the innocence of youth.

"Footloose's" music is just as colorful. The show borrows four or five songs from the soundtrack of the film upon which it is based. The original songs written for the stage production were stylistically based upon the title song, "Footloose." I think that the original song writing for this play is fantastic. My main problem with "Footloose's" music, however, is that I did not feel that the songs belonged together as a set. That is to say, although each song must be unique for its own individual scene, a show's music as a whole must share a common style. This is a large problem that comes with assembling as musical based upon the tunes of multiple artist. The musical awkwardness is most apparent in the love song "Almost Paradise". Beautiful as it is and as much as it worked in its own scene, the ballad does not seem to fit with the rest of the music in the play. Despite this one minor flaw, "Footloose's" music is pure hand clapping, toe tapping, booty slapping energy-filled fun.

Adding to this fun, though not noticed by the majority of the audience, is "Footloose's" eccentric conductor. Dressed in a hot pink polka dot suit and leading his orchestra by head banging his Sampson-ish long hair, the conductor is just as much fun to watch as the actors. His energy is just on of many examples of how much energy was put into this production by the entire cast and crew. Their hard work has paid off. "Footloose" is one of the best shows on Broadway this season.

Footloose

By Dean Pitchford and Walter BobbieMusic by Tom Snow

Lyrics by Dean Pitchford

With songs by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman

Richard Rodgers Theater

226 W46th St.