Footloose the Musical (1998 Original Broadway Cast)
Footlooseis only one of a batch of dance-movies-turned-musicals from the late-'90s, but it's probably the best. UnlikeFame, it gives an audience the movie songs it expects to hear, and unlikeSaturday Night Fever, it complements those songs with newly written, honest-to-goodness book songs that support the plot (written by Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow, who wrote songs for the original film). Like the 1984 Kevin Bacon film that inspired it,Footloosefollows the story of Ren (Jeremy Kushnier), who moves with his mother (Catherine Cox) to a small town where dancing is prohibited by law. Teens will be teens, of course, so Ren ends up at odds with the town and especially the local minister, Reverend Moore (Stephen Lee Anderson). Along the way, the characters sing familiarsongs from the movie("The Girl Gets Around," "Holding Out for a Hero," "Let's Hear It for the Boy," "Almost Paradise," and of course the title tune), but the new songs are enjoyable as well.Footloose: The Musicaldoesn't exactly break new ground, but it's a good listen, particularly if you like the movie. The booklet includes a detailed synopsis, photos, and full lyrics.--David Horiuchi