The 1984 film Footloose is a classic. It sparked crushes on Kevin Bacon and gave us a Kenny Loggins dance anthem. The story has become a pop culture touchstone: a big-city teenager taking on a small town where dancing has been outlawed. It’s an absurd premise that’s actually inspired by real events in Elmore City, Oklahoma. The rural farming town banned public dancing in 1898 to curb rowdy behavior, and it wasn’t until 1980 that high school students petitioned the town board to hold a senior prom. Spoiler: The kids won.
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What became a quintessential ’80s movie later inspired a stage musical. It ran on Broadway from 1998 to 2000 and didn’t take home any of the four Tony Awards it was nominated for. Reviews were mixed, and after seeing the stage adaptation for the first time at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, I understand why. The musical features key hits from the movie soundtrack, like “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and the titular “Footloose.” The rest – music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford – is uneven. Some catchy motifs here, some cringey lyrics there. It’s a musical that seems built on nostalgia over substance.
As the book itself doesn’t improve on the source material, it’s up to the production to sell it. Thankfully, the choreography and cast at the Milwaukee Rep (both directed and choreographed by Stephen Mear) hit the mark time and again – hallelujah! How satisfying that the dancing would be the standout in a show like Footloose.
‘Footloose’ at the Milwaukee Rep; Photo by Michael Brosilow, courtesy of the Rep
Leading the pack is the rebellious new kid in town, Ren McCormack played by Keyon Pickett. His moves are smooth and agile – shades of Michael Jackson circa “Beat It.” Opposing the young upstart is Milwaukee’s own Steven Koehler as the stern Reverend Shaw. He’s fantastic from the first note. Theatergoers may recognize Koehler as the guy who’s owned the part of Lloyd in the Wisconsin knee-slapper Guys on Ice since 2002. But his strong voice and presence make him incredibly versatile; he also played the lovestruck Nick in last season’s Come From Away at the Rep. And now, although Shaw suffers from some of the weaker songs in Footloose, Koehler makes the very best of them.
Koehler finds a worthy challenger in Maddie Robert, who plays Shaw’s fiery daughter, Ariel, through Oct. 11. (Natalie Welch picks up the role after her for the rest of the run.) One toss of her bodacious ’80s wig and Robert owns the stage, sizzling with true leading-lady vivacity and a voice both sweet and strong. Backing her up is a trio of girlfriends (Victoria Byrd, Olivia Hellman, Niki Metcalf) who serve delicious harmonies in the soft-rock bop “Somebody’s Eyes.”
The best surprise: Carson Zoch as Willard, the simpleminded country boy who can hardly string a sentence together, let alone two-step. In true musical theater fashion, the loveable Willard goes from clumsy bumpkin to backflips and James Brown splits in a matter of a couple verses. Zoch gives the audience moves to hoot and holler for, as do the entire ensemble during big musical numbers. The cast keeps revving up the energy until the electric “Footloose” mega-mix finale finally provokes a standing ovation. I saw one man do a double fist pump (or two!) into the air – the universal symbol for “hell yeah!”
The larger-than-life elements are the best parts of Footloose, dance numbers and pop hits as big as ’80s hair and as loud as a neon tracksuit. In these moments, the show is eye-popping fun. At other times, you might crave the more even drama of the 1984 film (and Kevin Bacon gyrating in a warehouse).
Either way, the Milwaukee Rep chose Footloose to be part of something bigger: It’s one of two productions this season, along with John Proctor Is the Villain, centered on teen voices. Teens interested in theater can join the Rep’s Teen Council, a leadership program training in theater production and arts administration. And a teen night on Oct. 16 lets high school students meet those in the council and enjoy the show together.
Footloose runs through Nov. 1 at the Milwaukee Rep’s Checota Powerhouse Theater.
