Youth is more than served in Sherman's 'Footloose'

During summer vacation some lucky high school and college students get to attend theater camp. At the end, they put on a big show and everyone gets to be in it.

For the fifth year in a row, Sherman Players has put
Lanny Mitchell in charge of its summer production, which skips the camp and cuts right to the big show. This year it's "Footloose," and with his customary expansive view, Mitchell has populated the show with 34 performers - most of them students. It's a fun experience for them but raises ethical questions. Does Sherman Players mislead ticket buyers by not telling them this is a "youth" production? Suppose you're a fan of "Guys and Dolls" and you notice the Sherman Players, a long-established community theater, is producing it. After plunking down your $18, would you be disappointed to find that Nathan Detroit
is being played by a high school senior or a college sophomore? I think so. There's absolutely nothing wrong with using young people in theater. In fact, it's essential if theater groups are going to continue to function and expand. But one shouldn't try to slip under the full-disclosure radar and not label the production for what it is. As for "Footloose," it's a mediocre musical at best. Its only reason for existence is that Broadway producers hoped to cash in on the popularity of the film that inspired the show. The movie helped make a star of Kevin Bacon , had a couple of decent songs and some dazzling film editing of the dancing. If there is anything to recommend "Footloose," it's the dancing. There's no denying Mitchell is a good choreographer, and he's rounded up many eager, energetic young dancers. Perhaps too many, for the stage is often crowded. I'll bet there are more performers in the Sherman production than in the last Broadway revival. The cast looks good when everyone is dancing the rock routines Mitchell has devised, but it seems that some of them have to leave the stage at times to make room for more elaborate steps by the others. If you have never seen "Footloose," the movie or musical, it's a simple tale of youthful rebellion coupled with a heavy dose of emotional guilt and forgiveness. The story focuses on Ren, a Chicago teenager played in Sherman with professional skill and engaging charisma by Geoffrey Payne . Ren and his mother have had to leave Chicago for Beaumont, a small town in the Midwest to live with relatives. The street-smart Ren has rhythm in his soul - "I Can't Stand Still," he sings. Unfortunately no dancing is allowed in Beaumont, a decision made and enforced by the righteous Rev. Shaw ( Thomas Mulhare ). There's a background story about his decision that involves teenage drinking and a tragic car crash. Whether Ren will be able to fit in with the local teenagers, and whether he and his pals can persuade the town fathers to revoke the no-dancing ban, is the story. Mulhare looks old enough to have children, but not one the age of pretty Samantha Mingione , who plays his sullen, somewhat wild daughter, Ariel. At one point his wife, played by Nicole Thorp , says, "I've been the wife of a minister for 21 years," which is hard to believe because Thorp doesn't look like she's more than 21 herself. The high school coach, played by Dan McCallion , looks like a guy who might just be old enough for the senior varsity. And so it goes. Mitchell has cast winning performers in the five principal roles, which are all young characters. In addition to Payne's likable Ren, Mingione supplies teenage sex appeal as his love interest. Matthew Farina is very funny indeed as the dopey, shy Willard. When he leads a quartet of farm boys in "Mama Says," they wring as much humor out of the song as is possible. Amy Crupi is likewise fun as Willard's squeaky girlfriend, Rusty, and Aaron Matthew Van Geersdaele growls with Brando-like gruffness as Chuck, the town's motorcycle bad guy. As an example of Mitchell's preoccupation with putting the spotlight on his dancers, many of whom take lessons from him or have appeared in high school productions he's directed, the best song in the show is overshadowed by unnecessary choreography. While Payne and Mingione try to give "Almost Paradise" the passion it deserves, girls in tutus flit across the stage in semi-darkness executing ballet steps. There is no reason why Mitchell and the Sherman Players couldn't find adults to play the adult roles, unless of course, that was never a consideration. At any rate, calling the summer show a youth production, or whatever, would not deter most audiences, especially the legion of relatives and friends of the large cast. Others should be given the opportunity to decide whether this offering, with mostly young performers, is for them.

"Footloose" plays through Aug. 13 at the Sherman Playhouse, behind the Sherman Firehouse at routes 37 and 39, Sherman. Performances are Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3, except the final weekend, when they are Friday and Saturday at 8. Tickets are $18, $16 for seniors and students; call the box office at (860) 354-3622.