Anaheim catches 80s fever with a movie classic

Cappies review: Footloose

By ROBBIE LUNDEGARD / For the Orange County Register

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Embodying the feverish style, music, and dance of the 1980s, El Dorado High School's "Footloose" transports its viewers to a time when hair was teased, spandex was worn proudly, and dance reigned supreme.

This movie-based musical recounts the story of teenager Ren McCormack who is forced to leave his high life in Chicago for the podunk town of Bomont after he and his mother have been abandoned by his father. Things go from bad to worse when Ren finds out that the act of dancing is prohibited in Bomont due to a tragic accident resulting in death years prior. Ren ultimately rallies his classmates together and achieves his goal of putting on a school dance.

Carrying the show from open to close, Rod Bagheri exudes charisma in his portrayal of Ren, which creates an immediately likable character. Without hesitation, he dances with passion in numbers like "Footloose" and "I Can't Stand Still," and although comedic, he never reveals that he is the least bit self-conscious or reserved.

Sarah Schultz as Ariel, the reverend's daughter, initially created the illusion of being the conservative do-gooder, but reveals a shocking transformation into her true rebellious state in "The Girl Gets Around."

Always keeping one flirtatious eye on Ren, she feigns infatuation with her high school dropout boyfriend, Chuck. Bagheri and Schultz create this coy, under-the-table relationship that comes to a head in the number "Almost Paradise," where they never quite create the chemistry the audience is expecting.

The supporting cast adds a number of characters that contribute to the play's energy. Most notable is Mathew Ukes as Willard, a boy that Ren would stereotype as the typical country hick. However, the two develop a charming friendship and Ukes is able to evoke laughter from his audience whenever onstage. In his feature number, "Mamma Says," humor reaches its climax as he reveals himself to be a true mamma's boy. The ensemble of teen boys supports this number, each individual contributing constructively to the scene.

Ariel's girlfriends, Rusty (Jamie Costin), Urleen (Delany Kinne) and Wendy Jo (Nicole Glenn), provided backup vocals in songs such as "Holding out For a Hero" and "Somebody's Eyes" and as a unit create energetic presence onstage.

Impressive vocal performances are given by Schultz in "Holding out For a Hero" and Elizabeth Adams, Ariel's mother Vi, and Ryan Yoder, Ariel's father, Reverend Shaw, throughout the show.

The actors' energy builds as the show approaches its close, and finally reaches full potential in the "Megamix," a compilation of all the monumental musical numbers. In its production of "Footloose," El Dorado captures the essence of the 80s and presents a fun and enjoyable show filled with music, dance and energetic performance.

Robbie Lundegard is a junior at Fullerton Union High School in Fullerton.


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