Footloose
at The Madeira School

Reviewed on February 22, 2014

Katelyn Sparks
South County High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Everyone knows the story — a fun-loving teenage boy with a rebellious spirit moves to small Midwestern town, where his favorite pastime is illegal and the girl he likes turns out to be the preacher's daughter. Not only is The Madeira School's production of Footloose alive with a renewed energy on the classic tale but the fresh, modern take is assisted by one other twist — the cast is all female.

Footloose first opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers theatre in 1998 and ran for 709 performances. The plotline consists of Ren McCormack, a free spirit who moves to small town Bomont with his recently single mother. He forms a fast friendship with Willard Hewitt, the epitome of a small town hick with a good heart, and Ariel Moore, the town reverend's rebellious teenage daughter. However, he quickly experiences culture shock when he learns that dancing is illegal in Bomont. Ren calls on the students at the local high school in order to ignite the town's long lost passion for music and celebration.

As a production with many lead and supporting male characters, Footloose was a risky choice for The Madeira School, but the all-girl cast executed it brilliantly. Every cast member brought their own unique energy to the production, resulting in clear cut, well developed characters. Though some harmonies could have been cleaner, females who portrayed male leads demonstrated impressive vocal control over their lower registers, and executed believable masculinity through boyish tendencies and body language.

The show's lead, Ren McCormack (Gabrielle Bullard) demonstrated flawless technique in her vocals, dance execution, and character choices. Bullard also shared plausible romantic chemistry in her scenes with Ariel (Jessica Schwartz). Reverend Moore (Sharia O'Neal) and Vi Moore (Caitlin Fischer) presented dynamic characters, achieving mellifluous harmonies. The contrast between the two characters was emphasized as the actors effectively portrayed a grieving, protective pastor and his soft spoken yet resilient wife.

Though the cast consisted of many supporting roles, there were a few clear standouts. Willard Hewitt (Katelynn Barack) captured the farcical nature of a small town mama's boy, who particularly held the audience's attention in numbers such as "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and "Mama Says." Wendy Jo (Rose McAvoy) was always in character, capturing onlookers with her quirky idiosyncrasies and consistent line pickup.

The plot was enhanced by several technical aspects, namely the smooth, inaudible set changes, courtesy of The Madeira School stage management team (Nora Becker, Perry Jones, Charlotte McIntosh, and Alison Branitsky). The actors utilized the dynamic set with ease, making use of the space and carrying off the well-crafted choreography effortlessly.

Overall, The Madeira School's Footloose was an unconventional and intelligent approach to the familiar story. Animated characters kept the audience intrigued and proved that this musical is "Still Rockin'" after all these years.

Alex Bertke
Briar Woods High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

In the small, conservative town of Bomont, a cloud of discontent has loomed ever since the resident preacher outlawed dancing and rock ‘n' roll. This is the backdrop against which the classic musical Footloose takes place. Bringing the story of Bomont to McLean, The Madeira School brought this eighties hit to life with vigor and enthusiasm.

Ever since its initial release as a hit 1984 musical movie, Footloose (written by Dean Pitchford) has seen many variations through the years; as a stage musical, it has been performed on both Broadway and the West End. When a dance obsessed high school boy from Chicago, Ren McCormack (Gabrielle Bullard), is forced to move to the cold, uptight town of Bomont, the little town is forced to wrestle with its conscience and pull itself out of the gray world it had painted for itself.

In taking on this already challenging musical, the all-girls Madeira School faced an additional, unique hurdle: half of the characters are male, but one-hundred percent of the cast is not. Coordinating convincing costumes along with working to modify voices and mannerisms, the cast did an effective job of aiding the audience in distinguishing between male and female characters. Actresses in every role, whether they were portraying gangs of teenage boys or giddy girls, brought considerable character to their scenes and songs. Although some singers would have trouble maintaining pitch, the energetic dancing which accompanied each musical number brought an uplifting mood to the stage.

Gabrielle Bullard, in portraying the rebellious protagonist Ren McCormick, led the way in bringing such energy to the stage. Bullard was capable of both delivering sentimental scenes with conviction and performing hysterical hip gyrations. She was a key source of both dramatic tension and comic relief throughout the production.

Accompanying Ren through his journey for self-realization and social change are a multitude of notable friends and neighbors. Performing as the archetypal quirky sidekick, Willard, Katelynn Barack kept the audience laughing with solid comedic timing and a big stage presence. Serving as the wife and foil to an antagonistic preacher, Vi (Caitlin Fischer), was well portrayed as a gentle, feminine character possessing of a beautifully soothing voice.

Each character had the opportunity to take advantage of a stationary and simple, but well-designed set, perfectly suited to larger than life dance numbers. Using a simple "iron" bridge against a dynamically lit cyc curtain, the tech crew was able to produce perfectly clean silhouette effects in multiple scenes. Utilizing spot lights and considerable variations in color and darkness from scene to scene, the tech crew was able to give each setting a distinct mood in spite of the stationary nature of the set.

Effectively capturing the excitement of the high-octane Footloose, The Madeira School delivered a performance that kept the audience engaged and thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.

Mia Rickenbach
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

Dancing leads to death. Therefore, dancing is banned.

Years ago in Elmore City, Oklahoma, the Footloose plot actually happened. Dean Pitchford scripted a movie loosely based upon the city's history in 1984, which has since been recreated as a musical and second film. In these productions, all titled Footloose, the people of Bomont are denied dancing by Reverend Shaw Moore after a devastating accident that killed 4 teenagers, including his own son. However this law is soon challenged by Chicago inbound Ren McCormack. The Madeira School's stage was recently host to this musical spectacle.

Because this show contains several scene changes and varied genres of music, ranging from gospel to rock 'n' roll, it can easily become segmented. However, the cast's constant focus gave the show a cohesive mood. The cast maintained a high level of energy that was complimented by the vibrant lighting and music. Each character, right down to the minor ensemble members, had clear motivation on stage and visible connection to the events taking place.

The Madeira School, an all-girls school, faced the challenge of casting several male leads, especially the protagonist of the show, Ren. This challenge was met with the extremely talented Gabby Bullard. Though some performers found it difficult to be a triple threat with acting, singing and danceing, Bullard excelled in all three, giving a show-stopping performance. Although all of her songs carried this professionalism, one of the most memorable was "Dancing is not a Crime," a short, rap-style sequence which exhibited her talent as she acted through both vocal and physical performance.

Ren's first Bomont friend, Willard, was superbly portrayed by Katie Barack. Her singing, dancing, and characterization of Willard were flawless. She embodied the male role primarily with her vocal and physical performance. Vocally, she carried a convincing southern accent through lines and songs. Many well-executed quirks and interactions with others rounded out her character, making her a true standout in the show.

The show's technical strength was found in the lights, which were incorporated perfectly into the set and choreography. Vibrant hues established each scene's mood and created excitement during songs. The most notable of these were the simulated stained-glass during church scenes and the colors which changed in synchronous with the choreography for the opening song, "Footloose."

After scenes of lively singing, dancing, acting, and lighting, the audience looked on a cast bowing together. All of them were hand-in-hand, feeling the exuberance of a concluded performance. The Madeira School had completed a truly memorable show.

Chris Doan
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Fairfax

Be careful what you say or do in the town of Bomont, because there are eyes always watching you. An energetic rebel from Chicago learns this lesson the hard way in The Madeira School's production of Footloose, in which he challenges the status quo and town council for a basic necessity - dance.

A movie adapted for the stage, Footloose follows the story of Ren McCormack, a Chicago native forced to move to the small town of Bomont. Haunted by the guilt of his father's abandonment, Ren attempts to fit in among his peers and find love at the local high school. However, he soon discovers that according to a town ordinance, dance is forbidden. He falls for a rebellious girl (Ariel) who happens to be the overprotective minister's daughter.

Although it may be difficult to perform a musical with an all-girl cast, Madeira performed admirably. The lack of male vocalists had no impact on the quality of their performance. In addition, the infrequent sound issues never gazed the cast.

Both Ren McCormack (Gabrielle Bullard) and Ariel Shaw (Jessica Schwartz) were admirable in their portrayal of their characters. Always energetic, the two showed no dearth of humor or characterization, even while singing numbers like "Always Paradise." Onstage, the two showed a remarkable tenderness, as they confided in each other their family problems over the noise of passing trains.

Standout performances among the supporting cast were numerous, such as Rose McAvoy's portrayal of Wendy Jo and Katelynn Barack's role of Willard. A slightly ditzy redhead and a slow-witted, yet lovable country boy, both Barack and McAvoy provided a foil for Bullard to shine. With their boundless enthusiasm for helping Bullard's character, they provided an impactful onstage presence. Showing her comic chops, Barack turned into a lovable goof as the cast learned that Willard had two left feet, falling at the "hottest dance house in the tricounty area." Always animated, whether giggling at gossip or in fits of temper, both McAvoy and Barack enhanced the performance.

Another star onstage was the frail, meek Vi (Caitlin Fischer). Her portrayal of Ariel's mother was touching, as she poured her heart out in the song "Can you find it in your Heart?" Indeed, Fischer's impressive vocals reached sonorous heights during that song, as she begged her husband, Reverend Shaw, to heal their family.

With rocking tunes, an impressive cast, and their journey to reclaim dance for the town of Bomont, Footloose was a hit. Ultimately, The Madeira School's production showed that although letting go of the past may be tough, sometimes it is better to just cut Footloose.

Emma Paquette
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

Bomont is awash in flashing lights and neon colors as the citizens, old and young alike, shamelessly throw themselves into the music and exhilaration of the first dance within town borders in five years. None of the feel-good, fancy-free fun would have existed without the efforts of a single new kid from Chicago and his inability to stand still. The Madeira School brought the uplifting story of Footloose to life in their vibrant and unforgettable production.

Originally a 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose was adapted for the stage in 1998 by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford. Despite mixed critical reception, the original production was nominated for four Tony Awards. The musical follows the trials and tribulations of city boy Ren McCormack who has recently moved to the tiny town of Bomont after his father leaves. Ren is hardly a good fit for the God-fearing town with his wild antics and stubborn attitude, and his passion for dance puts him in conflict with the very law of the town itself.

The ensemble was a joy to watch, bursting with boundless energy and genuine enthusiasm. The large cast fleshed out the town of Bomont and contributed to the show-stopping dance numbers with fantastic choreography and awe-inspiring lighting. Quirky Wendy Jo (Rose McAvoy) was a stand-out for her spirited humor and clumsy kookiness, creating a lovable character even with her limited amount of stage time.

Gabrielle Bullard led the production as the determined Ren, completely delving herself into the role with impressive vocals, stunning moves, and believable emotion. Bullard was a star even in a cast of talented dancers. She never seemed to tire even as she participated in nearly every dance number the show offered. Bullard also had great chemistry with both love interest Ariel (Jessica Schwartz) and best friend Willard (Katelynn Barack), creating sincere relationships that drove the show along. Bullard and Barack must also be commended for their portrayals of male characters with appropriate physicality and voices. Barack's lovable farm boy also created some of the funniest moments of the show, with her riotous solo of "Mama Says (You Can't Back Down)" bringing the audience to hysterics.

Some of the smaller members of the cast must also be recognized for their notable work in fleshing out such a magical performance. Vi was played with quiet sweetness by Caitlin Fischer, whose pure voice trembled with heart-wrenching emotion in her moving solos. She and Reverend Shaw (Zharia O'Neal) played adult characters with convincing control in contrast to a cast that sometimes struggled with playing age. O'Neal must also be congratulated for her honest emotional conflict portrayed throughout the show in her relationships with Ren, Ariel, and Vi.

Freedom of expression is an issue that haunts the world even to this day. Through all uncertainty, the story of Ren and his refusal to let rules staunch his beliefs stands as a brilliant testament to the importance of creativity without censorship. The Madeira School portrayed this message clearly in their highly entertaining performance of Footloose.

Jordan Plozai
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Teenagers face many dilemmas, but none as colossal as Ren McCormack versus the small town of Bomont. The Madeira School brought this fantastic and immersive musical to life with great energy that made the audience want to cut loose.

Footloose was originally brought to the stage in 1999, based off of the 1984 classic coming of age movie of the same name. An upbeat big town Chicago teen named Ren comes to the small-minded and religious town of Bomont. There he receives the cold shoulder from most, but befriends Willard after a small scuffle. But where there are boys, there must be girls, and the preacher's daughter, Ariel, catches his eye. To Ren's surprise, her father, Reverend Shaw Moore has seen to it that all dancing be outlawed in Bomont town limits. While Ren fights for their right to dance, he also faces opposition from the reverend, Ariel's ex-boyfriend and his crew.

Ren was portrayed by the multitalented and extremely impressive Gabby Bullard. Her constant energy, engaging acting, and strong voice maintained the level of excellence the show stayed at. She also lead the group with remarkable choreography and dedication. The entire cast and ensemble showed that they worked very hard in collaboration to put on this show. There were no weak actors or voices, in fact they all showed such great character dedication that their on stage chemistry felt very natural. A major aspect of the show was the fact that the cast consisted entirely of girls, since the Madeira School is an all girls school. This could have been easily forgotten considering the phenomenal acting and character dedication. This was very evident in the role of Willard, played by Katie Barack, who also served as a very entertaining and well-timed comic actress. Katie had an excellent stage presence and charisma that matched her role perfectly.

The cast proved that there are no small parts on stage as each and every member put forth their best efforts with a smile on their face. Another strong role was Reverend Shaw Moore, portrayed by Zharia O'Neal. Her superb acting skills transformed her into the role, and created a believable relationship between the reverend and his wife, Vi (Caitlin Fischer) who also provided strong acting and vocals.

The technical aspects of this show only add to the cast's excellent job. The set conveyed many locations through it's ingeniousness. Panels served to show passing trains and stained glass church windows. Set pieces suspended from the ceiling, such as signs, also added to the overall feel of the show and believability of the locations. The stage crew worked hard on this show as many people were needed to move on large set pieces and make sure everything ran smoothly in this large scale production. The costumes were very fitting and added to the time period and locations.

Overall, this small town was brought to life by an outstanding cast and crew who were magnificent both individually and collectively.

Hayley Wenk
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Rock and roll music shook up the landscape of small town America, turning rebellious teenagers against their parents even more than normal. In the musical Footloose, one such town is caught between the dramatic twisting tide of expression and tradition. The Madeira School turned the story into a night of song and, more importantly, dance.

In the backwater town of Bomont, dancing is forbidden. The town's Reverend Shaw keeps a vice-tight grip on the area, much to the chagrin of the new kid in town, Ren. Fresh out of Chicago's dance scene, Ren just can't sit still with the town law. With the help of the preacher's daughter Ariel and the adorable redneck Willard, the youth of Bomont set out to help the town move out of the past and learn to cut loose and dance. Originally a movie starring Kevin Bacon, the story was later adapted for the stage, and even remade on the silver screen in 2011.

For a story about repressing energy and keeping calm, The Madeira School cast was filled with vigor—dancing across the stage in a choreographed mob of teens. The cast balanced the songs with energetic dance breaks, performing jumping and spinning moves in synchronization. As an all-girls' school, Madeira's cast took on the challenge of having female actors portray male characters with aplomb.

In the lively lead role of Ren was Gabrielle Bullard, decked out in Chuck Taylors and leather. Bullard danced, walked, and even roller-skated with a masculine swagger that fit her role excellently. While leaping and kicking and going down into splits, Bullard also belted out the rock and roll numbers of the show, still managing to slow down for the more tender numbers like "Almost Paradise" with her costar Jessica Schwartz, who played opposite in the role of the reverend's daughter Ariel. Schwartz also excelled in dancing, sashaying across the stage in high heeled red cowgirl boots, which fit with her rebellious character.

The comedic powerhouse of the show was Katelynn Barack's portrayal of Willard, the town clown, but also a king of comedy. The song "Mama Says (You Can't Back Down)" highlighted Barack's physical humor, boot stomping across the stage and roughhousing with the other cast members. Rose McAvoy played the schoolgirl Wendy Jo, whose flirtatious nature came through even while singing and dancing. A nice contrast to the vivacious teenagers was Vi, played by Caitlin Fischer. As the repressed wife of a reverend, Fischer balanced the moments of forced quietness and progressive support with emotional maturity.

The stage was always awash with colored light, from stained glass for the chapel scenes to pulsing rainbows during the dances. The finale even brought down a disco ball for the big dance. The set was extremely versatile, encapsulating the homes, school, burger joints, and train tracks of the small town with a scaffolding-like bridge that ran across the back of the theater and stacks of platforms on either side of the stage.

Ultimately, Footloose is a story about accepting the past and moving on to a better future--and perhaps dancing there.