Night Clubs Reviews

May 22, 2009 - "Footloose," the exuberant stage musical, opens at the Sparks Nugget

By Jack Neal

“Footloose,” the musical about a dancing kid from the big city of Chicago who winds up in a rural, Bible-thumping town called Bomont, has opened at John Ascuaga’s Nugget (5/20/09).

Based on the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon, John Lithgow and Sarah Jessica Parker, the stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie features music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford and additional music by Jim Steinman, Eric Carmen, Kenny Loggins and Sammy Hagar. That adds up to a remarkable collaboration. The production’s excellent five-piece band, conducted by A. Scott William, does justice to this impressive lineup.

“Footloose” charms because it’s loaded with exuberant dance. The storyline of tragedy (four teenagers killed in a car crash after a dance) and angst (the driver was the preacher’s son) is a bit much for what is supposed to be a musical comedy.

But, who cares?

As paper thin as a Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney let’s-put-on-a-show musical, its plot is just an excuse for doing just that - and a terrific excuse for hanging together a series of musical numbers for a cast of gypsies that sings and dances with flare and joy. The show’s irresistible force is Ren-the-kid, played with virtuosity and plucky enthusiasm by Erik Keiser. Its immovable object is the bitter old Reverend Shaw Moore, played with scowling distinction by Glenn Wall.

Since about 25% of the show has been cut for this night-club presentation, the story’s swift climb from gloom to zoom is even less plausible than usual. The Reverend has banned dancing, proms included, to protect kids from the evils of sex, drugs, rock ‘n roll - and, of course, car crashes. That sends Bomont’s kids scurrying out of town to get their kicks elsewhere. The conflict sets up some entertainingly zany contrasts between the town’s stodgy parents and their hormonally driven kids.

In protest, the Reverend’s daughter, Ariel, wears red cowboy boots and hot pants and dates Chuck, the tough kid from the rough side of the tracks. Lindsay Luppino is excellent at playing Ariel with as much edge as possible creating an affecting tension with her preacher father. Chuck oozes sex appeal so it’s easy to grasp Ariel’s attraction. Chuck is played with assurance and surly presence by Jeff Blim.

Soon after Ren arrives in Bomont, he and Ariel become an item, which heightens the plot as much as a non-plot can be heightened. Ariel’s mom, a woman trapped in a supportive relationship but not much else, is poignantly played by Katherine Proctor. Willard and Rusty, the show’s two overtly comic roles, are played by Michael Kennan Miller and Kara Guy. He has tremendous comic timing and a commanding presence. He’s also a terrific dancer. She’s cute and magnetic and has a great pop voice and style as do Rusty’s chums, Urleen (Mary-Elizabeth Milton) and Wendy Jo (Sarah Catherine Barnes). In a choice comedic bit, Elizabeth scores genuine laughs as Betty Blast the roller-skating owner-manager of the teenage hangout, Burger Blast.

Evan Adams’s slick, sparse scenic designs are pleasing and allow the production to move without a hitch. Russel A. Thompson’s smart lighting accentuates the positive and adroitly cover what Adams’s sparse sets leave uncovered. With the exception of some overly loud sound in “Footloose’s” opening sequence, David Temby’s sound design settles in and works well. John P. White’s costumes fit the characters and the action and never encumber movement.

In spite of its Bible-belt ball-and-chain, “Footloose” is a dancing show that takes every opportunity to cut loose with exhilarating, athletic movement. It’s the dancers, not the principals, who give this production its zing and passion. Credit director Gary John La Rosa and choreographer Chris Saunders with filling the stage with enough exciting, exuberant dance to entertain for ninety minutes of fun and games with the dance-crazed kids from Bomont High.

“Footloose” plays the Celebrity Room of John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks, Nevada, May 20 (the performance reviewed) through May 29 (2009) at 8 p.m. and May 23, 24, 25 (2009) at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $49 for adults, and $35 for children under twelve. Call 800-648-1177, 775-356-3300 or go on line at janugget.com.