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Salem theater’s ‘Footloose’ is fabulous
By Lorraine wardle
salem
Summer is typically a slow time for community theaters, when they take a break from busy production schedules. This summer, however, local community theaters have been busy producing some outstanding plays and musicals.
The latest summer offering comes in the form of “Footloose” at Salem Community Theatre.
“Footloose” played to a packed house Saturday night and thrilled the audience with an excellent performance.
Most theater-goers will already be familiar with “Footloose” in some form. The show has seen many incarnations. “Footloose” was originally a film in 1984 starring Kevin Bacon and featuring a really catchy soundtrack. In 1998, a full-scale musical version opened on Broadway. Last year, a remake of the movie appeared.
Salem’s production of “Footloose” is the 1998 Broadway script. The plot is familiar: Ren and his mother move from bustling Chicago to small town Bomont, Ga. Ren has trouble adjusting and doesn’t fit in. To make matters worse, Ren loves to dance, and dancing is forbidden in Bomont. Eventually, Ren makes some friends and tries to persuade the town council to legalize dancing again.
The script is decent, but it is the inclusion of some of the pop songs from the original movie soundtrack that make “Footloose” such an enjoyable show. The play really comes alive during each of the big group numbers such as “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and, of course, “Footloose.”
The creative team of Nicole Paolozzi and Gary Kekel has put together a truly amazing show. Their cast is extremely talented, full of young actors who can sing, dance and act.
Katelyn Lisowski, who played Ariel, is a theatrical “triple threat.” She is a great dancer with a beautiful voice and perfect, heartfelt delivery. Lisowski really brought Ariel to life.
Jon Gluckner, as Ren, was an awesome dancer and singer. His performance was solid, though he lacked a certain edge that would have made his character more believable.
Lauren Teminsky’s Rusty and Connor Bezeredi’s Willard were both adorable. Teminsky and Bezeredi each had perfect comedic timing and their musical numbers were both showstoppers.
Natalie Sprouse, as Urleen, and Carly Magnuson, as Wendy Jo, provided support for Lisowski and Teminsky and sang impressively in perfect harmony.
Tim McGinley’s Rev. Moore was an imposing figure while Sue Prosser, as Vi, and Melanie Sprouse, as Ethel, were understanding mothers who both sang beautifully.
Nathan Pecchia played bad-boy Chuck Cranston, in an unfortunately smaller role. Pecchia was perfect with an awesome voice and commanding stage presence.
Carrie Mazzucco provided professional-caliber choreography that the cast performed skillfully. In a show about dancing, you’ve got to have good dance numbers, and Mazzucco did not disappoint.
The unit set, designed by Paolozzi and Mark Frost, worked perfectly for the show and transitioned smoothly from one scene to the next.
The entire company, from the crew to the ensemble to the lead actors, worked together to provide the perfect summer show.
“Footloose” continues at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Salem Community Theatre, 490 E. State St., Salem. For tickets, call 330-332-9688.