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| L-R Amanda Rodas, Chase Klein, Devyn Kontur, Michael Inatsugu, Brenton Holbeck, Trae Adair, Nico Fisher, Carter Santos, Adam Derbigny, Sterling Inatsugu, Charli Austin, Maia Goldberg, Eadric Einbinder, and Terrence Robinson |
By Joe Straw
Ren McCormack (Carter Santos) is a fun-loving guy with the ability to trade quips at the drop of a toe tap, dancing up a storm in his native Chicago hometown but suddenly there is a turn for the worse in his family life. His mother Ethel McCormack (Lauren Magness) has come upon hard times, the product of a failed marriage, and they must move to Bomont (an undisclosed southwestern town in an unspecific time of late 1990 to 2000s) to live with Ethel’s sister Lulu Warnicker (Aryn Neimiroff) and her over commandeering husband Wes Warnicker (Steve Weber).
Footloose The Musical Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, Music by Tom Snow, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford, additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman, directed and choreographed by Niko Montelibano, and produced by Philip McBride is now playing at the Morgan-Wixon Theatre through July 28th, 2024.
Getting acclimated to his surroundings Ren visits a church and listens to Reverend Shaw Moore (Steven Didrick) preach his message of love and control predating the sign of the current times of how to act, what to read, what God to worship, and how not to express your individuality.
Ren catches Ariel’s eyes (Nico Fisher), the preacher’s daughter, who seems unfazed by her father’s message, but she doesn’t want to hang with Ren and runs off to join her controlling boyfriend at the garage Chuck Cranston (Luc Clopton) and his cronies Travis (Joaquin Hosfeld) and Lyle (Adam Derbigny) two little sleezy compadres that joins Chuck in a song “The Girl Gets Around” a song that shows little regard for an independent and creative young woman.
Meanwhile Ren has other ideas on shaking the mud off these inhabitant’s feet. On his first day of school, he meets Willard (Trae Adair), a coverall wearing, clod hopping hick from the sticks. After a brief acrimonious encounter, they strike up a friendship especially after Willard saves Ren from Principal Clark’s (Hannah Willmore) expository clutches for dancing in the hallways.
Ren is not the devil but likes to open Pandora’s box just a tad to let out what it means to dance freely. But he must overcome many obstacles especially the ones that are deeply ingrained within the occupants of this tiny town of Bomont.
Up Front: Trae Adair
There’s a lot of fun to be had in this musical version of Footloose by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. The film worked on several fronts with nice performances but this musical has a little more work to do. Finding a way for this to work requires a better book, one that establishes stronger characters managing their way through a chaotic high school life while battling the adults in their lives.
Niko Montelibano, the director has his hands full directing and as the choreographer for this cast of thirty maybe taking on a little too much to get this show up and running in the allotted time. Character work is needed to define relationships, to capture the significant moments in this musical, and capture the truth in characters, which has only scratched the surface of this production. We move from a dance crazed Chicago to the town of Bomont where kids may not know how to dance in public and have been banned from doing so for five years. (We don’t see any of that.) We also don’t see students shocked or elated that someone, defying rules and laws, is now dancing in their halls and we don't see the progression of dance as it relates to the community and the students. In this musical the wanting to dance (within the kids minds and appearance) should permeate the production in several magical ways including the city council meeting. Also, for the most part, all the singers were without mics, and some could have used them. The story is based on a true incident in Oklahoma culminating in banning dancing and the community falling in lockstep with that law. One might as well ban breathing and see how that goes over without some kind of uprising.
Carter Santos does well as Ren McCormack and has a nice singing voice. More could be made of his transition from big town to small town without being overly omnipotent. He has a view but must make more of the conflict that he has to overcome to reach his objective.
Lauren Magness is stunning as Ethel McCormack especially when she is dressed up. There may be more to add to the character (besides supporting and protecting her son) and that may be keeping her eyes open for any prospective partner.
Nico Fisher has a grand presence as Ariel Moore, sings, and dances well. The black eye needs to find a way to work or eliminate it all together because nothing comes of it. The ex-boyfriend isn’t sorry, he doesn’t get any kind of comeuppance, the new friend is slightly concerned but does nothing, and her father doesn’t take the time with his daughter to notice it at all.
Trae Adair plays Willard with a strong deep southern accent (Texan?) that no one else has and may be believable if he had just moved there but, he seems to be a fixture in the school. Also, in this ultra-conservative town he has a ring in his nose and his coveralls are kind of flashy and not the dress of his farmland surroundings. Ultimately, Willard Hewitt’s costumes must work to give the character, someone who has nothing, to someone who has everything because now he can dance. That aside, Adair has a fine voice, a nice presence, and a very nice physical life on stage.
Luc Clopton plays the bad guy Chuck Cranston. There’s not a lot to like from this character, which includes, physical violence, and a song that is entirely disrespectful “The Girl Gets Around”. The writer of this character has left off the redeeming attributes to give this man somewhere to go so that he can move his life forward.
Steven Didrick does well as Reverend Shaw Moore. There’s more to be had from this character, a catharsis moving from one way of thinking to another. Singing and playing to the fourth wall does not give the character justice. Love requires searching and discovering everything about his daughter especially when she has a huge bruise below her eye. Also, is it a good choice to ignore the bruise and does it work?
Up front L - R Sarah Marie, Lauren Magness, Aryn Nemiroff, and Steve Weber
Sarah Marie as Vi Moore looks nothing like her photograph in the program. That aside, her voice is near pitch perfect, and her performance as the loving wife and mother is just marvelous presenting us with her ability to ensure that everyone to take a step back, breath, and think about solving life’s problems. Wonderful work!
Brenton
Holbeck lights up the stage as Coach Dunbar.
Brenton shows a tremendous presence and an exciting sensitivity that
will work well in front on the camera. This is an actor to watch and given the
luck of the draw shows promising potential for both film and television.
Aryn Nemiroff plays Lulu Warnicker, and this is another roll that requires another level of characterization especially with her sister, one that defines that relationship. Also, she needs to look after her nephew and control her demanding husband in her way and fashion. These are the little things to complete the character and fill in the gaps.
Steve Weber is another heavy in the Wes Warnicker role. The role, whether it’s written or not, requires him to hit his nephew without finding out the solution to his problem. The character must find a way for forgiveness. Weber also has a nice turn as Cowboy Bob a man who needs an overexaggerating West Texan accent that celebrates the dance.
Hannah Willmore as Principal Clark must have misgivings about enforcing a law that violates the First Amendment and yet she’s been doing it for 5 years. In the end Principal Clark must find a way to celebrate the change in the rules. Still, Willmore has some very good moments on stage.
Devyn Kontur (Rusty) has a powerful voice when the musical requires it. Chase Klein (Urleen) has a very pleasant and unusual voice that blends melodically with her friends. Amanda Rodas (Wendy Jo) has some very nice moments.
Other standouts are Luke Arthur Smith (Bickle), Charli Austin (Ensemble) and Michael Inastsugu who has a very strong presence on stage. Eadric Einbinder (Jeter) also has some very fine moments on stage.
Other cast members who put their heart and soul into this production are Maia Goldberg, Samuel Goldman, Sterling Inatsugu, Lillian Kautz, Amanda Meade-Tatum, Ysabella Padua, Terrence Robinson, Brennan Schmidt, and Tiffany To.
Member of this delightful crew are as follows:
Abby Carlson – Vocal Director
Emily Jolynn Ellis – Production Stage Manager
Kyle Lukas – Assistant Stage Manager
Samantha Jo Jaffray – Costumer
Justin Kelley-Cahill – Scenic Designer
Cici Mao – Lighting Designer
Brandon John – Master Electrician
Ariella Salinas Fiore – Intimacy Director
Shea Glenn – Assistant to the Director/Choreographer
Nico Fisher and Ysabella Padua – Social Media
Devyn Kontur – Vocal Captain
The Morgan-Wixson is a wonderful theatre, parking is plentiful, and is rich in diversity in its casting.
Morgan-Wixson Theatre
2627 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA. 90404
For Reservations: https://www.morgan-wixson.org