Review: 'Footloose' at Meadowvale Theatre

When I first saw the musical Footloose in New York in the spring of 1999, I felt that it would never be regarded as a Broadway classic but it would quickly become a popular show with high schools and community theatre groups. That last prediction has certainly come true, and now Meadowvale Music Theatre is presenting this fun little musical.

Thanks to a charismatic leading performer the production - despite some annoying sound problems on opening night - delivers solid entertainment.

 

The show is based on the popular Kevin Bacon film from 1984 which itself was slammed for what critics described as a hackneyed story. Actually, the story is based on a true incident in Elmore City, Oklahoma where dancing was in fact banned.

In the musical - as in the film - the setting is the generically named town of Beaumont. Ren is a modern day David facing off against the Goliath of Reverend Shaw Moore, a capital C Conservative.

The role of Shaw is a tricky one, calling for a performance of tremendous strength and power yet haunted by insecurities and self-doubts. Bill McBride plays these latter qualities, but we could use a little more forcefulness at times. After all this is a man  who holds the town council and school board in tight rein.

We see flashes of his controlled rage in a second act confrontation with Alana Bostock, playing his daughter Ariel. She gets to carry quite a bit of the dramatic thrust being caught between her evangelical father, patient mother (Elizabeth Bell in a remarkably sensitive portrayal), bullying boyfriend (Brent Wilkinson) and the new kid in town, Ren.

Playing Ren is Ryan Gauvin, and his energy combined with sensitive acting tips the balance for this production. As soon as Gauvin appears the show begins to acquire some of the sparkle it needs.

Director John Thomas keeps the action moving at a steady pace, and best of all the  choreography by  Cathy Smith, is lively and enthusiastically danced.

Footloose is playing at Meadowvale Theatre February 25 to 27 at 8 pm with a 2 pm matinee on Saturday February 27. For tickets go to www.encoreseries.ca or call the Meadowvale Theatre box office at 905-615-4720.

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