Cappies Review: Footloose

by Shayla Dhingra of Briar Woods High School

Imagine your every move being analyzed and criticized by everyone around you. You’ve got no disguise from somebody’s eyes.

In the renowned musical Footloose, Ren McCormack moves with his mother from the big city of Chicago to a small Rocky Mountain town called Bomont. Ren, unaware of the rules against merriment (due to a fatal car crash involving several teens six years previously), is met with much adversity among the county. Based off the film produced in 1984, the Broadway production received four Tony nominations making it a must-see.

Oakton High School’s hard work on their spring musical, Footloose, was evident at first glance. The cast seemed extremely well-practiced and put together. It was obvious the Oakton Drama Department had put many hours of hard work in there choreography and singing.

Aidan Smith, who played Ren McCormack, had a vibrant and harmonious voice and an awkward attitude, which allowed him to depict his character with real finesse. Emma Mankin, as Ariel Moore, the town preacher’s daughter and Ren’s new crush, had an exceedingly brilliant voice, especially in the number “I Need A Hero,” and charm that gave light to the stage. Aidan and Emma’s chemistry was made apparent in the song “Almost Paradise.” At times, the show seemed like reality because they had developed such fine-tuned reactions to one another. Henry Ragan, as Reverend Moore, father of Ariel, bellowed his solos and lines with such depth his metamorphosis throughout the show was easy to read yet held such gravity during the serious notes of the otherwise fun-filled show.

Although, at times, the ensemble waned in volume, their energy was apparent. Ariel’s spunky posse of girlfriends, played by Sarah Smith, Elise Bartakke, and Alex Sommese, brought a wholesome view of friendship and fun into the show. Each provided a much needed facet to the production. Sarah Smith, who played Rusty, Ariel’s closest friend, acted with poise and spoke at the speed of lightning as she developed a relationship with Willard, her childhood friend. Alex Sommese danced with fervor that brought a visually appealing factor to the stage. Lastly, as Wendy Jo, Elise Bartakke was on-point with her comical timing and her overactive nature made her fun to watch.

The lighting throughout the show was seamless. Wonderful gobos cast images across the cyclorama curtain and lively colors transitioned through the quick set changes. Technically, the show suffered from minor mic problems and a reliance on microphones causing a loss of dialogue. However, the versatile set and use of the orchestra’s outer covering wall to walk around, gave the show a whole new dimension.

Kick off your Sunday shoes and cut Footloose! Oakton High School’s production of Footloose was filled with animation and excitement. Ending their performance with a standing ovation, Oakton’s upbeat production was full of dynamic and melodious voices crying out in the name of teen spirit and freedom.