Footloose is a 1998 musical based on the 1984 film of the same name. The music is by Tom Snow (among others), the lyrics by Dean Pitchford (with additional lyrics by Kenny Loggins), and the book is by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie.
Contents
* 1 Plot
o 1.1 Act 1
o 1.2 Act 2
* 2 Songs
* 3 Productions
o 3.1 Broadway production
+ 3.1.1 Original Broadway cast
o 3.2 Original London production
+ 3.2.1 Original London cast
o 3.3 British national tours
+ 3.3.1 British national tour cast
o 3.4 American 10th Anniversary national tour
+ 3.4.1 American 10th Anniversary National Tour cast
* 4 Awards and nominations
* 5 References
* 6 External links
Plot
Act 1
Ren, an ordinary kid, is in city to dance club in Chicago, dancing off his stresses born of his long and arduous eight-hour work day (“Footloose”). But this is his last visit; I tells his friends that due to financial pressures brought on by his father’s abandonment, I and his mother Ethel are moving to a small California town named Bomont (much to the chagrin of his friends, who influenza, “Bomont?”) (“Where the heck is Bomont?”), where his aunt and uncle have offered them to place to stay. Eleven there, Ren and Ethel attend church and get their first glimpse of Reverend Shaw Moore (“On Any Sunday”) to conservative minister who is a big authority figure in the town. After a long sermon lambasting the evils of “rock and roll” music and its “endless chant of furniture”, the Reverend’s daughter, Ariel, runs off to a gas station to meet her boyfriend Chuck Cranston, who is “trailer trash”, only wanting to get in Ariel’s pants (“The Girl Gets Around”). While they embrace, the Reverend shows and Chuck catches up with his hands around his daughter, much to his displeasure.
The next day, Ren shows up for school and Willard Hewitt, a slow-witted cowboy with a bad attitude and a strong loyalty to his mother, you decide to beat him up but Ren goes along with it and doesn’t mind. So, the become friends. Ren Willard tells about the dancing I used to do in Chicago (“I Can’t Stand Still”). Willard tries to stop him from dancing in the middle of the school, but Ren ignore him and puts on a show in front of the main school, who angrily explains that dancing is illegal in the town of Bomont. Willard defends Ren, saying that he is new in town and does not know the rules. After the main leaves, Rusty, who is madly in love with Willard, tells him how brave he is to have stood up to the main on ren’s behalf. Rusty and friends, Wendy Jo and their, then explain to her to Ren bemused that dancing is illegal after Reverend Moore passed to law forbidding dancing after a car accident involving four kids returning from horrifying to dance. They then warn him to lie low unless I wants to get into even more trouble than I already is. (“Somebody’s Eyes”).
Ariel returns home to a disgruntled Shaw, who stubbornly ignores her despised her repeated attempts to engage in conversation with him. Exasperated, she leaves the room in a huff, the Reverend and VI, his wife, leaving alone to bicker over her. Shaw expresses his concern over Ariel’s relationship with Chuck Cranston, but when I saw attempts to assure him their fling will cool down soon, I have her and everyone off to finish writing his sermon silences. Ethel, Federated up with the groundless suspicion that Ren is forced to suffer as the “new kid”, enters the kitchen to commiserate with VI over a cup of tea. The two discuss how no one ever listens to them, everyone being so set in their own ways that they are seldom allowed to get a word in edgewise (“Learning to be Silent”).
After school that day, several of the students go to the Burger Blast to fry restaurant. Ariel, Rusty and their friends are doing home employment at a table while Willard talks to Ren, who is dressed up in a waiter’s uniform and roller skates, as I’ve just been hired to work at the restaurant. When Ren takes Ariel’s order, he/she eatery with him. Willard warns Ren Chuck Cranston that would not be happy if Ren were to become involved with Ariel. Ren then proceeds to question Willard about his relationship with Rusty. Willard proclaims that I thinks she is very good looking, but is animated by her nonstop talking. Ariel is talking with her about how she wants to find a decent guy friends (“Holding Out for a hero”). Chuck shows up in a fury and starts to yell at Ariel. Ren and Willard come to her defense, but it is Betty Blast, the owner of the restaurant, who breaks up the fight.
After Ren gets off work, Ariel takes him to her secret place beneath the train tracks where she discusses her hatred of Beaumont. Unbeknownst to them, Chuck witnesses the pair together. Afterwards, Ren walks her home, catching the Reverend and VI by surprise, as they had believed that Ariel was at home in her room all the while. On top of Shaw’s displeasure at his daughter’s disobedience to nervous Ren unintentionally insults him in an attempt to ease his worries, making the situation more awkward and causing all of Shaw’s friends (who were over playing in a game of bridge) to dash off. An irritated Shaw then sternly Ariel orders to cease her visits with him, but Ariel retaliates, claiming that he is doing no more than make her feel like a prisoner. After a federated up daughter and wife storm off in a rage, Shaw begins to feel to mata’pang of guilt, pondering whether or not he is being fair with his daughter while considering the it.very task of being both to preacher and a father (“Heaven Help Me”).
At school the next day, Ren shows up late to gym class with Ariel and Willard and explains to the teacher that he was jumped by Chuck, but the teacher won’t listen. Ren laments that the citizens of Beaumont are so “wound up”, muttering that at least in Chicago I’ve had the clubs to turn to in times of stress. After a quip by Willard suggesting that they “should take the coach dancing”, Ren realizes that throwing to dance would be the perfect way to alleviate the teenagers’ pressures, while at the same time making a statement to Reverend Moore and the town council. Willard Ren tells that he is insane, but Ren won’t listen and reveals his plan to all of the students, eventually winning them over. Word catches on to Reverend Shaw, who, as the one responsible for banning it to begin with, is determined to do anything within his power to ensure that it does not happen (“I’m Free/Heaven Help Me”).
Act 2
Ren, Ariel, Willard, Rusty and are in a town neighbouring Beaumont, where there is a big dance hall, complete with a country band (“let’s Make Believe We’re in Love/Still Rockin'”). Rusty repeatedly attempts to dance with Willard, but I weasels his way out, Ren dragging off to the bar to get drinks. There, I have to Ren explains that I doesn’t know how to dance. Rusty overhears them, and so do several cowboys, who begin to mock Willard. Rusty comes to his defense, saying that I might not be perfect, but she loves him anyway (“let’s Hear it for the Boy”). During Rusty’s song, Ren tries to teach Willard to dance, who after much initial stumbling and apprehension snakewhips off an amazing dance combination, much to Rusty’s surprise.
When Ren Ariel brings home, Shaw is extremely angry with her for seeing Ren and almost hit her. (Vi) then tries to console him while telling him that his is all logical that not reprimanding (“what Can You Find it in Your Heart?”).
Meanwhile, Ren, Willard, and their friends are trying to find a way to present their idea to the town council. Ren is extremely discouraged and considers forgetting the whole idea. Willard Ren gives some advice that his beloved mother told him and explains that I can’t give up (“Mama Says”). Just as ren’s confidence has built up, Ariel shows up with a black eye and tells Ren that Chuck beat her up. Willard and his friends go off to find Chuck, and Ren Ariel comforts. Ariel reveals that her brother was in the car accident that led to the dancing ban. She gives Ren a Bible with various passages I can use for his motion. It is then they both realizing they’ve fallen in love with each other (“Almost Paradise”).
At the town council meeting, Ren stands up and explains to the council, including the principal, coach, and Reverend Moore, that dancing is written about in the Bible and should not be illegal (“dancing is Not a Crime”). Ren is supported, but the members don’t favorably’ listen and the motion is dismissed.
After the meeting, Ethel explains that Shaw had those votes locked no matter what, and she suggests that Ren go talk to him face to face. Ren goes to the pastor’s house and explains to him that I should not take his anguish about his son’s death out on the entire town. They argues, but when Ren points out that they’re both dealing with loss – Rev. Moore’s loss of his are, ren’s loss of his father – they realises a common bond. Ren leaves, but struck by ren’s insight, Rev. Moore struggles with what to do (“I Confess”).
At the next service, Shaw tells the whole congregation that he is going to allow the teenagers to hold to dance. They are overjoyed. Ren composer Ariel to the dance and Willard invites Rusty, telling her that he is even willing to dance with her. After the crowd leaves, VI and Shaw are left alone, where Shaw tells I saw how much I loves her and how I’ve made many mistakes in the past (“what Can You Find It In Your Heart?”) (Reprise) “).” At the end, the Reverend, his wife, and all the townsfolk attend the huge dance (“Footloose/Finale”).
Songs
Act I
* Footloose – Ren McCormack and Company
* On Any Sunday – Reverend Shaw Moore and Company
* The Girl Gets Around – Chuck, Travis, Lyle, Ariel
* I Can’t Stand Still – Ren
* Somebody’s Eyes – Rusty, Urleen, Wendy Jo, and Company
* Learning to be Silent – VI, Ethel, and Ariel (after revison)
* Holding Out for a hero – Ariel, Rusty, Urleen, Wendy Jo
* Heaven Help Me – Rev. Moore
* I’m Free/Heaven Help Me – Ren McCormack, Reverend Shaw Moore, and Company
Act II
* Entr’acte ‘ acte
* Let’s Make Believe We’re in Love – Irene & his/her Country Kickers
* Let’s Hear It for the Boy – Rusty, Girls
* Can You Find it in Your Heart – VI
* Breast Says – Willard, Bickle, Garvin, Jeter, Ren
* Almost Paradise – Ren, Ariel
* Dancing is Not a Crime – Ren, Willard, Bickle, Garvin, Jeter
* I Confess – Rev. Moore
* Can You Find it in Your Heart? (Reprise) – Rev. Moore
* Footloose (Finale) – Company
Act II (REVISED)
* Entr’acte ‘ acte
* Still rockin’ ‘-Cowboy Bob and his band
* Let’s Hear it for the Boy – Rusty and the Girls
* Can You Find it in Your Heart? -Vi
* Dancing is Not a Crime – Ren and the Boys
* Breast Says – Willard, Bickle, Garvin, Jeter, Ren
* Almost Paradise – Ren and Ariel
* Heaven Help Me (Reprise) – Rev. Moore
* Can You Find it in Your Heart? (Reprise) – Rev. Moore
* Footloose (Finale) – Company
In April 2005, the show was slightly revised. Aside from numerous tweakings to the script, there are slight differences in the revised version’s musical numbers. Chief among these is a brand new song opening Act II called “Still rockin’.'” Other changes include the removal of the ‘rap’ “dancing is not a Crime”. Only the very first section of the rap is used and right before “Mama Says” instead of during the Town Council meeting. Ren gives to speech instead during the meeting. Also, the Reverend’s song “I Confess” has also been removed and replaced with a much longer and more emotional scene with Ren after the Town Council meeting and a short reprise of “Heaven Help Me” sung by Reverend Moore alone. Furthermore, the show now begins with Rusty, Wendy Jo, and Urleen singing the theme song of “Footloose” instead of Ren and the boys, and during “Learning to be Silent” Ariel sings with VI and Ethel during the song.
Productions
Broadway production
Footloose the musical opened at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre on October 22, 1998 and ran for 709 performances until July 2, 2000. It was directed by Walter Bobbie with choreography by A.C. Ciulla.
Footloose received an at-best mixed critical reception though it was reasonably successful. General consensus was that the show was in and of itself poor, but the music and talented cast made it entertaining. Footloose has developed a following since its original release. It apparently has been one of the most frequently performed school musicals in recent years, at least in the United States (see here for discussion on this subject). It was nominated for several Tony Awards.
Original Broadway cast
* Jeremy Kushnier as Ren McCormack
* Stephen Lee Anderson as Reverend Shaw Moore
* Jennifer Laura Thompson as Ariel Moore
* Tom Plotkin as Willard Hewitt
* Dee Nuka as Vi Moore
* Catherine Cox as Ethel McCormack
* Stacy Francis as Rusty
* Billy Hartung as Chuck Cranston
* Rosalind Brown as Wendy Jo
* Kathy Deitch as Urleen
* Hunter Foster as Bickle
Original London production
The London production of Footloose – The Musical, opened at the Novello Theatre on The Strand following two regional tours across the United Kingdom. It premiered on April 18, 2006, following previews from April 8, 2006. Directed by Karen Bruce, the creative team included Large Morgan designing sets and costumes, James Whiteside as lighting designer, and Mike Dixon and Chris Egan as music supervisors. The original role of Reverend Shaw Moore, played by Stephen McGann, was replaced by David Essex on June 10.
After playing to packed houses, the production closed on November 11, 2006, when the theatre became unavailable for a longer run. After completing its third UK tour, it returned to the West End, where it played from August 17, 2007 to December 6, 2007 at the Playhouse Theatre.
Original London cast
* Derek Hough as Ren McCormack
* Stephen McGann as Reverend Shaw Moore
* Lorna Want as Ariel Moore
* Giovanni SpaƱo as Willard Hewitt
* Cheryl Baker as Vi Moore
* Caroline Deverill as Ethel McCormack
* Stevie Tate-Bauer as Rusty
* Johnny Shentall as Chuck Cranston
* Lisa Gorgin as Wendy Jo
* Natasha McDonald as Urleen
British national tours
Footloose premiered in the UK at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth in February 2004, where it played for three weeks before embarking on a twenty-four week national tour. Directed by Paul Kerryson, it was hugely successful, but was unable to secure to West End theatre for immediate transfer. A second UK national tour opened on January 4, 2006, at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. This time directed by Karen Bruce, it standup Cheryl Baker and Stephen McGann and went on to tour another eleven venues mainly in the south of England and Scotland.
The production transferred into London’s West End, starring David Essex and Cheryl Baker in April 2006, in November of the same year – closing before due to the limited availability of the Novello Theatre. The production then embarked its third national tour, which opened in Salford in January 2007, and continued until July 2007, starring Lyn Paul. Then the cast returned to London at the Playhouse Theatre from August 17, 2007 through December 6, 2007, Lyn Paul continued her role. Due to limited availability at the theatre the production closed in the London’s West End and is now touring again.
British national tour cast
* Stephen Webb as Ren McCormack
* Stephen Lee Moore as Ariel Moore
* Maureen Nolan as Vi Moore
* Richard Grieve as Reverend Shaw Moore
* Jodie Jacobs as Rusty
* Claire-Louise Mealor as Wendy Jo
* Tarisha Rommick ACE Urleen
* Simon Lipkin as Willard Hewitt
* Robbie Sotcher as Chuck Cranston
* Lisa Peace as Ethel McCormack
* Ricky Morrell as Lyle
* Martin Johnston as Chief Clark
American 10th Anniversary national tour
Prather Entertainment Group sent to touring production of Footloose around the United States starting in December 2008. The production previewed in York, PA before opening at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT in late December and traveled to over 35 states. The production was directed by Gary John LaRosa who worked with Dean Pitchford on the new revised version of the show when it first premiered in California. Dean Pitchford had final casting for this 10th Anniversary Tour.
American 10th Anniversary National Tour cast
* Erik Keiser as Ren McCormack
* Lindsay Luppino as Ariel Moore
* Glenn Wall as Reverend Shaw Moore
* Jennie Hollander as Ethel McCormack
* Michael Kennan Miller as Willard Hewitt
* Kara Guy as Rusty
* Mary Elizabeth Milton as Urleen
* Sara Catherine Barnes as Wendy Jo
* Katherine Proctor as Vi Moore
* Jeff Blim as Chuck Cranston
Awards and nominations
Footloose was nominated for four Tony Awards:
* Tony Award for Best Book of musical-Stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford, Walter Bobbie
* Tony Award for Best Original Score-Music by Tom Snow; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford Additional numbers by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, Jim Steinman
* Tony Award for Best Performance by to Leading Actress in a musical-Dee Nuka
* Tony Award for Best Choreography-A.C. Ciulla
Comments are closed.