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| Review: '80 revival brings 'Footloose' to 2 E.V. stages | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| By Chris Page, Get Out | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 23, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The shallow retro revival is more than “Transformers” on the big screen and Paula Abdul on the small one (or, gulp, “Xanadu” on Broadway). This summer, two East Valley community theaters, coincidentally, are staging the musical adaptation of “Footloose” — that 1984 Kevin Bacon vehicle about an angsty teen whose happy feet (and the fist-pumping refrains of Kenny Loggins) threaten to kick into upheaval a sleepy rural town where dancing is illegal. Like the resurgence of those Hasbro toys and that onetime manufactured pop princess (Abdul, not “Xanadu’s” Olivia Newton-John), one can see the justification for reviving “Footloose” — mild-mannered teen rebellion being white-hot in the wake of “Grease.” Still, one could certainly make a better case for letting some sleeping fads lie. After all, the 1998 Broadway adaptation, from which both East Valley theaters are working, is in itself stinky as old sneakers — a forcefully contrived mishmash of the movie’s pop rock anthems (“Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Holding Out for a Hero”), lame new Broadway-style filler tunes and head-scratchingly hammy dialogue. And the original film, though memorable, does not exactly hold up to modern viewing. The current production at Gilbert’s Hale Centre Theatre charms in spite of its source material. The other, courtesy Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, is so atrociously assembled, it would be laughable if it weren’t so depressing. A genuinely talented cast elevates the Hale’s version, directed by Michael Bryce, as does an impressive effort toward sets and props, with motorcycles and bridges and burger joints bursting to life within the in-the-round theater. A compact bolt of energy with a solid voice and great dance moves, Edgar Torrens tackles the lead role less as a street-wise Hercules, as one showtune goes, than as a rebel with his heart tucked in his sleeve like a pack of cigarettes. That complements his costar, pout-mouthed cutie Angela Kriese, just fine; she plays the town preacher’s wild daughter, Ariel, with an undeniably wholesome edge — meaning her affection for bad boys is as tame as an episode of “Gilmore Girls.” Wholesome, in fact, best describes the Hale production’s overall vibe. Scripted obscenities are excised, and the sexual tension between Ren and Ariel never raises above a simmer. Contrast that with Desert Stages’ “Footloose,” directed and choreographed by Antonio Villarreal: The cussing’s intact, and the choreography, when not outright boring, occasionally suggests a Carmen Electra strip-aerobics video. The thrown-together costumes kind of do, too. Villarreal crunches his large cast into a too-small theater (like the Hale, an in-the-round space), and he never seems to get a tight hold on blocking or directing audiences’ attention. Perhaps he’s too busy working himself into multiple pointless cameos. His staging is a mess, though his young cast is energetic in its anarchy. The Scottsdale show’s leads lack any semblance of chemistry (Jimmy Shoffman, as Ren, is frumpy and lethargic enough to star in a Judd Apatow movie; he’s several degrees from Bacon) and most every one of the teenybopper actresses with solo numbers seem to think they’re taking their star-turn on “American Idol” — all cliched gesticulations and shrieking volume levels, to the point of parody. Alas, “Footloose” won’t be hoofing gently into that good night anytime soon; a quick Web search reveals some folks behind Disney’s uber-popular “High School Musical” are in talks to do a film remake, starring “Hairspray” and “HSM” teen heartthrob Zac Efron. Is this the best the '80s have to offer? Somewhere, someone has to be working on “Teen Wolf: The Musical.” REVIEWS 'Footloose’ When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, closing Aug. 18 Where: Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert Cost: $20-$22 Information: (480) 497-1181 or haletheatrearizona.com Grade: B+ 'Footloose’ When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays, closing July 29 Where: Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road Cost: $20-25 Information: (480) 483-1664 or desertstages.com Grade: D Contact Chris Page by email, or phone (480) 898-5656 |
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Reader comments (4)
This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Responsibility lies solely with the comment author.
Mary
I would like to address my comment directly to Chris Page. Chris -Your review is obvous that you preferred the "wholesome" version of Footloose, set in a theatre that is known for a family/church atmosphere. However, as a "true" theatre critic, you failed to include many important roles in the show. Did mention Angela Yates as Rusty vs. the 50 plus year old rusty at Hale?? Cassie Davis as Ariel at DST is an accomplished actress. What was your review on WIllard at DST vs. Hale? Hmmm....maybe you have not actually done your job as a so called "critic" Not surprising.... Comment has been reviewedJuly 24, 2007
derek
Hey Mary...Take what you get and don't throw a fit....kind of a rude comment about the HCT Rusty....oh and by the way you forgot about the 40 plus yr old at HCT playing Chuck Cranston...Looks like someone is a bit jealous...2 older people ABLE to play the younger parts...Have a good day! Comment has been reviewed
July 25, 2007
Janet
Maybe he didn't mention them to be kind. Suggest removal of this commentJuly 31, 2007
Sara Ostreicher
Thats never the case..critics arent kind like that..it is their job to be critical and provide feedback to the community in order for all of us to make a more informed decision. Suggest removal of this commentAugust 21, 2007