Footloose the Musical

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Colony Theatre (Heather Provost, producing artistic director), Panic! Productions and BarCinBoo’s production of Footloose the Musical running through March 17.
(L-R) Kelsey Lee Smith, Brady Fritz. Photography by Ashley Erikson.

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Colony Theatre (Heather Provost, producing artistic director),  Panic! Productions and BarCinBoo’s production of Footloose the Musical running through March 17. 

The Colony Theatre re-opens with Footloose the Musical and it’s the perfect show to ring in 2024 at this wonderful theatre under new management. Panic! Productions and BarCinBoo Productions’ version of this iconic and record-breaking musical just about blew the roof off the theatre. In fact, my feet just wouldn’t stop moving and it was almost impossible not to sing along to the truly excellent versions of some of the 80s most iconic songs! 

The wonderfully uplifting and brilliantly produced Footloose at The Colony is just what we all need right now! 

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Colony Theatre (Heather Provost, producing artistic director), Panic! Productions and BarCinBoo’s production of Footloose the Musical running through March 17.
(L-R) Brady Fritz, Whitney Kathleen Vigil. Photography by Ashley Erikson.

The story, in case you don’t know it, revolves around Ren, a high school student and recent transplant from Chicago to the very small town of Bomont. He and his mother have moved in with his aunt after his father abandons them both. They hope to start a new life but run into the standard small-town, small-minds scenario. Adding to this is the fact that because of a tragic accident years before, all dancing and rock music is banned within the city limits.  Ren keeps getting in trouble no matter how hard he tries to fit in. But he sets out to change things when he falls in love with the preacher’s daughter, who is the town rebel herself.

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Colony Theatre (Heather Provost, producing artistic director), Panic! Productions and BarCinBoo’s production of Footloose the Musical running through March 17.
(L-R) Kelsey Lee Smith, Sammy Linkowski. Photography by Ashley Erikson.

The staging is simple, with some neat scenic changes facilitated by the cast, which is always a fun touch I think. But the simplicity allows the actors, dancers and singers plenty of room to perform, and perform they do! Everyone is really excellent, their voices are Broadway ready and these songs are really hard to sing well. 

So Footloose is a wonderful musical with excellent casting, amazing memorable performances of some truly iconic American songs, and some big dance numbers to boot!  What’s not to love?!

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Colony Theatre (Heather Provost, producing artistic director), Panic! Productions and BarCinBoo’s production of Footloose the Musical running through March 17.
(L-R) Coby Rogers, Sammy Linkowski, Noah Heie. Photography by Ashley Erikson.

I have to give a special mention to the always wonderful Larry Cedar who yet again gives his heart and soul to the role of Rev Moore. He also has an incredible singing voice and breaks your heart as he struggles with his grief and how to move on from the loss of his son.  Even though the story revolves around the kids, the parents, particularly the Rev and his wife beautifully played by Robin De Lano, have pivotal and important moments in the story making it fuller and believable. As a parent, I can understand the need to protect at all costs.

A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Colony Theatre (Heather Provost, producing artistic director), Panic! Productions and BarCinBoo’s production of Footloose the Musical running through March 17.
(Front L-R) Robin De Lano, Larry Cedar, Kelsey Lee Smith (Bridge L-R) Ceron Jones, Karen Macarah, Lisa Dyson and Christopher Robert Smith. Photography by Ashley Erikson.

Having said that, Footloose is really all about the joyfulness of music and dance and the need to feel free to express that joy. It’s a hopeful story. Inclusive, spiritual and insanely fun! 

I highly recommend this wonderful production! You don’t have long though. Only a couple more weekends…to put your feet on the floor and cut loose!!!

The Team:

Ron Barnett (Musical Director), Michelle Elkin’s (Choreographer/Co-Director) and Barry Pearl (Director/Co-Producer).

The musical is by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. Music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman. Directed by Barry Pearl, Choreographed by Michelle Elkin, with musical direction by Ron Barnett.

The Cast:

Larry Cedar (HBO’s Deadwood, Hollywoodland, Midnight Son), Robin DeLano (Bright Star National Tour, Mamma Mia! Disney’s Frozen), Brady Fritz (Beautiful the Musical, Disney’s The Little Mermaid), Kelsey Lee Smith (Invincible, Rudolph National Tour), Casey Anne Apregan, James Beardsley, Whitney Kathleen Vigil, Sammy Linkowski, Camie Del Rosario, Lauren Lorati, Michael Wells, Christopher Robert Smith, Karen Macarah, Lisa Dyson, Cindy Pearl, and Ceron Jones.

The ensemble includes Mary Kate Chapman, Madison Miyuki Sprague, Michael Riskin, Melvin Biteng, Christopher Ho, Noah Heie, Coby Rogers, Laura Aronoff, Veronica Carolina Leite, Callula Sawyer, Lauren Barette, Arielle Dettmer, Almand Martin Jr., and Mathew San Jose.

Tickets: 

https://www.colonytheatre.org/footloose

When: 

March 1–17.

Where: 

The Colony Theatre
555 N 3rd St, Burbank, 91502