REVIEW: The Rep cuts ‘Footloose’ with fantastic dancing

Arkansas Democrat Gazette

July 12, 2024 at 11:35 p.m.

No shoes, Sunday or otherwise, got kicked off Friday night at Little Rock's Arkansas Repertory Theatre, but in all other respects, "Footloose" was phenomenal.

The 26-member cast, young and the young at heart, made choreographer Rachel Perlman and director Anna Kimmell look almost as good as they did in production numbers that consistently brought down the house. And the singing voices (with credit to music director Robert Frost) were equally superb.

Chicago teenager Ren McCormack (Spencer LaRue), whose father has walked out on him and his mom, moves to the small Bible Belt town of Bomont, where arch-conservative minister Rev. Shaw Moore (Michael A. Shepperd), who equates rock music with pornography, rigidly enforces a ban on dancing. Ren becomes involved with Shaw's rebellious, ambitious daughter, Ariel (Victoria Pekel), and leads the rest of the town's young folks in their fight for their right to dance.

Awe-inspiring performances come from all the leads and from those playing parents and spouses (Paige Martin Reynolds as Shaw's wife and Ariel's mother and Tawanna Campbell as Ren's mom). Among the teen-character standouts: Emily Royer as Rusty, Amaya Hardin as Urleen and Hannah Lauren Wilson as Wendy Jo, Ariel's superb sidekicks; Ray Robinson as Williard, Ren's easily confused best friend; and Ethan Hall as abusive Chuck. Adult standouts include Holly Ruth Gale and Gary Newton as Ren's aunt and uncle and Leigh Anne Ralston as the Principal.

The ensemble plays a huge part in making the show work: Jordan Arrasmith, Frederick Webb, Luke Ferguson, Michael Matherne, Nate Westerman, Savannah Halter, Annslee Clay, Makayla Shipe, Brian Earles, Caroline Perry and Isabella Nguyen.

The show (music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, based on Pitchford's screenplay for the 1984 film, with additional songs by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman) runs through July 28. Curtain times and ticket information are available by calling (501) 378-0405 and online at TheRep.org.