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All the right moves

Ross Cornell, starring as Ren, gives Cara Cooley, who plays Ariel, a wrist corsage. Both star in Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre's production of
By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net
Ross Cornell, starring as Ren, gives Cara Cooley, who plays Ariel, a wrist corsage. Both star in Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre's production of

If you were over the age of 6 in 1984, you already are aware that everybody cuts, everybody cuts, everybody cuts “Footloose.”

An entire generation grew up watching this Kevin Bacon-Lori Singer movie on video (remember video?). Plenty of kids spent summer vacation learning the songs and dance moves by heart.

So in what amounted to a brilliant commercial move, writer and lyricist Dean Pitchford came up with a Broadway stage adaptation in 1998. After all, this musical already had a built-in audience of fans.

The show went on to have a two-year run on Broadway and a successful national tour (which hit Spokane in 2001).

Now a nine-performance run begins Saturday at the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre at North Idaho College.

The formula is nearly identical to the movie version: Use a simple plot as an excuse for plenty of youthful, high-energy singing and dancing.

Ren McCormack, the cool-teen-dude-from-Chicago, moves to the small town of Bomont, which has banned dancing. Does the Taliban run the place? No, just a self-righteous minister and a timid town council.

Ren, through sheer force of personality and awesome footwork, wins over both the town council and the minister’s daughter.

The film’s soundtrack album reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart and has sold more than 15 million copies.

The stage version uses some of the best-known songs from the movie – including “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and Kenny Loggins’ title song – and adds nine more by composer Tom Snow.

The CdA Summer Theatre production features a Ren McCormack who knows this show backwards and forwards. Ross Cornell was in the national touring company of “Footloose,” as well as the national touring productions of “Cats” and “The Music Man.”

Cornell not only plays the lead role, he also is the show’s choreographer.

Cara Cooley, a Spokane actress who just graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, will play Ariel, the minister’s daughter.

Todd Hermanson plays the minister and Tamara Schupman, recovered from a recent auto accident, plays the minister’s wife.

Michael Wasileski directs the cast of 21. Musical director Kasey Graham presides over a nine-piece combo.