Footloose
at Westfield High School

Reviewed on April 30, 2016

Lydia Gompper
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Slip on your dancing shoes and prepare for some serious nostalgia, because the neon lights of the 1980s have shone on the Westfield High School stage in their head-bobbing, toe-tapping production of "Footloose."

"Footloose," a musical adaptation of the iconic 1984 teen flick of the same name, leaped onto the Broadway stage in 1998, where it garnered four Tony nominations, including Best Choreography. The story follows Ren McCormack, a rebellious Chicago teen, as he is suddenly uprooted from his old life and finds himself in the small, middle-of-nowhere town of Bomont, where fear of societal ills and grief over the loss of four young people a few years prior have resulted in the lawful oppression of one of the most natural forms of human expression--dance.

Westfield High School has delivered an upbeat, wonderfully fun performance, with a committed, energetic ensemble and delightful, self-aware cheesiness that warmed the audience's hearts. In a show where dance is so central, well-executed choreography is a must, and the Westfield cast certainly rose to that challenge, performing large dance numbers with fierce enthusiasm and impressive skill. Among the standout dancers was lead actor Connor Rudy in the role of Ren, who demonstrated his strong technical abilities in a wide variety of dance styles, twirling and leaping across the stage to the tune of 80s pop.

Among the show's most notable highlights was Keegan Garant as the goofy, mercurial Willard, a quick friend to Ren upon his arrival in Bomont. Garant proved himself a truly remarkable character actor, with a fantastically ridiculous Southern accent and silly charm that immediately had the audience wrapped around his finger. In his wildly funny musical number, "Mama Says," he was utterly captivating, transcending high school theater and cementing himself as a nearly professionally skilled performer. His relationship with his character's love interest Rusty, played by Shaina Greenberg, was completely adorable. Greenberg herself, meanwhile, gave one of the strongest vocal performances of the night, belting it out in numbers such as "Let's Hear It for the Boy," while also demonstrating excellent maturity in the face of a briefly faulty sound system.

Other onstage standouts included lead actress Molly Van Trees as the defiant preacher's daughter Ariel, as well as her father the Reverend Shaw himself, played by Eni Oyeleye. Van Trees maintained an enchantingly saucy personality, teasing and flirting, while also showing a lovely vulnerability in her more emotionally charged scenes, such as after a violent encounter with her ex-boyfriend Chuck, excellently performed by Embrey Grimes. Van Trees' vocal abilities were also stellar, impressing both in fast-paced numbers such as "Holding Out for a Hero" and slower, more heartfelt pieces such as "Almost Paradise." Oyeleye, meanwhile, greatly impressed with his acting as the emotionally repressed Reverend, giving beautiful depth to an otherwise lighthearted show. His singing, too, was superb, with a warm tone that truly soared in solos such as "Heaven Help Me."

This production's many strengths were not limited to the delightful onstage performances. Lighting designers Kristen Chiama and Allison Tickner created many exquisite effects, utilizing color and mood to boost the show's 80s aesthetic while also beautifully highlighting the quieter, more contemplative scenes. Choreographers Meredith Mehegan and Sarah Bresnahan, meanwhile, certainly rose to the expectations of such a dance-heavy production, devising a show full of high-energy, intricate dance numbers.

Westfield High School has fashioned a night of unrestrained fun. With a passionate cast and a never-ending supply of musical numbers that had the audience bouncing in their seats, "Footloose" was a definite success.

Grace Mattes
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Disobedient teenagers: you can't live with them; you can't live without them. Bomont's teens are particularly rebellious as they combat the town's prohibition on dance. Can these kids find a way to cut loose and kick off their Sunday shoes in Westfield High School's Footloose?

Footloose, penned in 1998, was based on a 1984 film of the same name. Tom Snow composed the music and Dean Pitchford wrote the lyrics and book. The story follows an ordinary teen, Ren, as he and his mother move from Chicago to a small town named Bomont. Ren finds that life is different in Bomont as he learns of the town's strict rules, most notably the ban on dancing. Ren also discovers the reason for these laws: a car accident that killed four kids on their way home from a dance years ago. As Ren befriends some classmates and even develops a crush on Reverend Shaw's daughter, Ariel, he begins to fit in. Ren needs all the help he can get from his new friends to convince the powerful Reverend Shaw to let him throw a dance; will it work? Footloose opened on Broadway in 1998 and won four Tony Awards for Best Book, Original Score, Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, and Choreography.

The cast and crew of Westfield's Footloose created the fun, colorful, rebellious world of Bomont beautifully. The ubiquitous thematic use of red to symbolize the church as well as the students' desire for freedom popped out in the different technical facets. The phenomenal vocal performances throughout the production fostered the show's entertaining atmosphere.

Molly Van Trees played Reverend Shaw's rebellious daughter, Ariel. Van Trees displayed her sinewy vocal prowess throughout the musical as she excelled in "Learning to Be Silent" and "Almost Paradise". She also had great chemistry with her bad boy boyfriend, Chuck (Embrey Grimes), as they performed the steamy song, "The Girl Gets Around". Connor Rudy played the newcomer, Ren. He showcased his fantastic dancing through his incredible technique. He also portrayed the character's awkwardness well as he and Van Trees skirted around sharing their feelings.

Keegan Garant stole the show in his performance as Willard. Garant's stellar vocal and physical choices were superb; by the end of the show, his adorable goofiness had every audience member yearning to be his best friend. Ariel's powerful posse of friends owned the stage. Their commanding stage presence dominated in their powerhouse performances of "Somebody's Eyes", "Holding Out for a Hero", and "Let's Hear It for the Boy". Shaina Greenberg's portrayal of Rusty stood out among the group. Greenberg's best moment was in the midst of microphone issues; she strutted upstage and grabbed a handheld mic. It was a simple cover yet seemed perfect for the scene. Eni Oyeleye's depiction of Reverend Shaw captured the character's psychological complexities; his scenes of grief over his son's death contrasted with those of lighthearted humor.

The production's technical elements brought the show together. The collaborative efforts in the use of red throughout the show effectively represented the struggles of the students for freedom. From hints of red in the costumes to diverse hues in the lighting design, the color was consistently present. The central point of the set, the stained glass window, was strategically lit during the production to subliminally convey the church's oppression of the town. The rest of the set's fun colors and various settings transported audience members all over Bomont.

Westfield High School's performance of Footloose doled out smiles as it rocked the stage and proved that dancing truly isn't a crime.

Kelly Farmar
Paul VI Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

"Bomont? Where the h*%& is Bomont?" ring the voices of Chicago teenagers as Ren, played by Connor Rudy, prepares to leave the big city for the small, rural town of Bomont. Bomont is a quintessential small town with one major twist- dancing is illegal.

Westfield's Footloose shares the story of a stubborn boy and a repressed town just itching to "cut-loose". The head of the anti-dancing movement is Reverend Shaw, played by Eni Oyeleye. Oyeleye's outstanding performance of the emotionally conflicted preacher and father was one of the most believable performances of the entire show. His daughter, Ariel (Molly Van Trees) is the opposite of a "good preacher's daughter". She portrayed the character's rebellious teenage nature with excellence and her impressive vocal control stood out.

Van Trees and Rudy were strong leads but the show would not have shone so brightly without the marvelous supporting cast. Keegan Garant as the ditzy farm-boy Willard was by far the most impressive performance in the show. The detail and commitment he put into his character came across as professional and his comedic song "Mama Says" was a standout. The supporting female, Rusty, played by Shaina Greenberg, had excellent vocals and brought a fun, youthful energy to the show.

The highlight number of the show was "Holding Out for a Hero". Sung by Van Trees and her posse (Shaina Greenberg, Gabrielle Moses, Aubrey Cervrich, and Kaley Haller) this upbeat classic was the anthem of the show and will be stuck in the heads of audience members for weeks.

When one thinks of the show Footloose, one thinks of dancing. Westfield's production did not disappoint. The student choreographers, Meredith Mehegan and Sarah Bresnahan, did an excellent job making the choreography complex and impressive to watch yet doable for those without professional dance training. Connor Rudy was a standout as his dancing was intricate and perfectly executed.

The set was outstanding and really added to the ambiance of the show. With a large stained glass crucifix in the middle of the stage at all times it supported the idea that the church controlled everything in Bomont. The color red appeared thematically throughout the show to portray strong emotions. The lighting choices were incredible from the swirling and flashing disco lights of the finale to red silhouettes when Ariel was being beat up by her troubled boyfriend Chuck (Embrey Grimes). The lighting was interesting to watch and was clearly well planned.

Mic problems and some lack of chemistry aside, Westfield's Footloose was an uplifting, exciting, and downright fun experience. Led by strong vocal performances from every actor and supported by the dancing that is so crucial to this musical, Footloose made everyone want to "kick off their Sunday shoes".

Hope Kircher
Tuscarora High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

They say that love is the strongest force in the world. Love can forge friendships and life-long partnerships. Love can pull people out of their past and into the future, restoring hope for tomorrow. Love can even bring different types of people together into a single loving community.

However, love can also be controlling. Love is an all-consuming emotion, one that is so powerful it can seize control of reason and cause people to do things that seem crazy otherwise. This is exactly what happened in the small town of Bomont when the community suffered the loss of four teenagers to a tragic alcohol-induced car accident. The parents of the children who died were so distraught that they banned any activity that could encourage any more raucous or dangerous behavior, including dancing.

Westfield High School's production of Footloose captured the power of a parent's love for their children, as well as the strength it takes for kids to stand up for themselves when love becomes constricting. Footloose, with lyrics by Dean Pitchford, music by Tom Snow, and the Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, first premiered on Broadway in 1998 and had a staggering 709 performances. The story follows Ren, a high school senior from Chicago as he and his classmates fight to bring dance and freedom of expression back to the oppressive town of Bomont.

Connor Rudy fully embodied the slightly awkward yet fun-loving persona of Ren thoughout his performance as the leading character. Rudy expertly portrayed with Molly Van Trees (Ariel) the excitement and comedic inelegance that comes with falling in love, and showcased his superior dance skills in the song "I Can't Sit Still" as he executed perfect fouetté turns and jumps.

Molly Van Trees played Ariel, the rebellious daughter of Bomont's ultra-protective Reverend (Eni Oyeleye), and sang beautifully and passionately throughout the performance. Trees possesses the vocal strength of a mature professional and excelled with tricky harmonies and flawlessly controlled vibrato that brought power to her belts. Ariel's posse (Shaina Greenburg, Gabrielle Moses, Aubrey Cervrich, and Kaley Haller) supported her throughout Footloose with powerful voices that blended together seamlessly. Shaina Greenburg (Rusty) stood out with her excellent high belt and commitment to her character.

Keegan Garant (Willard) was another standout actor, and stole the show with his humorous antics and hill-billy accent. His performance in "Mama Says" had the audience roaring with laughter due to his fantastic comedic timing and facial expressions. Garant was so committed to his character that it seemed as if he wasn't acting the part, but became the part, which is the ultimate goal of all performers.

Costumes were also phenomenal and extensive with each character having multiple quick changes. The contrast of Chicago's bright neon outfits and Bomont's drabber clothing helped emphasize the oppressiveness of the smaller town and subtle pops of red throughout helped show the overarching theme of freedom.

Lighting also helped highlight the theme of oppression by illuminating the church's intricate stained-glass window during pivotal moments symbolizing the ever-present watchful eye of the church and it's Reverend.

Westfield High School's production of Footloose was phenomenal and was of near professional quality. The powerful vocals, difficult choreography, and sheer energy of the students' performance culminated in a masterpiece of high school theatre.

Yvonne Nguyen
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - CV

In a provincial town ruled by the overzealous presence of the church, uniform way of living, and unyielding memory of a tragic accident, it seems that nothing ever changes. Yet when a Chicago newbie moves into town, he can't help but question the oppressive and stringent rules cast over the towns' youth—especially the one that outlaws dancing. Bringing to the small town of Bomont, the spirit of rebellion and the courage to question authority, Ren McCormick shakes things up when he challenges the local ban against dancing. Westfield High School's production of Footloose shone with high stakes and high energy, proving that they sure know how to "cut loose".

Footloose originally began as a 1984 film that swept theatres across the nation. In 1998 it was developed into a stage production by Tom Snow, Dean Pitchford, and Walter Bobbie. The show opened on Broadway in 1998 and ran until 2000, racking up 4 Tony nominations.

Willard, portrayed by Keegan Garant was easily the highlight of the production. Every time Garant stepped on stage, the audience seemed to smile in unison. Garant had a huge stage presence, never holding back from his spot-on comedic timing and dedication to his country twang. From the way he walked to the hilarious facial expressions he made, Garant truly embodied his character. At times, it was easy to forget that Garant was acting. In his song "Mama Says", Garant surely won the audiences' hearts. Garant also shared excellent chemistry with Shaina Greenberg, who played the sweet and spunky Rusty. Greenberg had excellent energy and amazing vocal talent as well. During her solo "Let's Hear It for the Boy", Greenberg seemed to experience issues with her wireless microphone, yet recovered flawlessly by grabbing another microphone onstage. This showed true professionalism from a high school actress, a truly commendable feat.

Eni Oyeleye portrayed the role of Reverend Shaw, perhaps the most emotionally complex character in the show. Oyeleye brought an intensity to the show that made the plot that much more interesting. His dominating presence on stage was balanced with his softer moments of reflection. Overall, Oyeleye showed that he took the time to analyze his character's intentions and conveyed them to the audience.

The ensemble was the driving force of the show, filling the stage in large dance numbers. Although at times the energy was low, they really brought it back during "Footloose Finale" at the end of the show. Ariel's Posse in "Holding Out for a Hero" especially stood out due to their amazing vocals and fantastic stage presence. These girls really seemed like best friends and captured the dynamic chemistry of their group well.

Set in the 1980s, Footloose can be a somewhat difficult atmosphere to set. However, the neon colors of the costumes and the bright flashing lights really tied together the 80s vibe. The use of a disco ball and flashing LED lights made the entire auditorium come to life with energy. While there were some microphone issues throughout the show, the other aspects of the technology made up for the minor mishaps.

Footloose is a show that is meant to be lively, energetic, and inspirational. Westfield High School definitely fulfilled this expectation in their impressive production. It was evident that each cast member was well-rehearsed and dedicated, and thoughtful consideration had gone into all technical aspects of the show.

Isabella Whitfield
Paul VI Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Westfield High School's production of Footloose was full of standout performances both on the technical and performance scales. This fun-loving musical was a definite crowd pleaser, and had audience members clapping and getting into the music.

Based off the 1984 film of the same name, Footloose was nominated for four Tony awards. While most critics claimed that the script was not very well-written, the vibrant cast made the show a hit. When a teenage boy named Ren moves from Chicago to Bomont following his father's abrupt abandonment, he is shocked to find that dancing is illegal. This anti-dancing law was passed after four teenagers were killed in a car accident after leaving a dance. One of the deceased is Reverend Shaw's son. The Reverend's daughter Ariel, a reckless girl tired of her father's strict rules, becomes infatuated with Ren. With showstopping songs and much illegal dancing, they try to overturn the law while bringing some long overdue healing to Bomont.

One of the most impressive aspects of Westfield's Footloose was the lights. The lighting crew (Kristen Chiama, Alison Tickner, Katie Sanfield, Hallie Puckett) pulled out all the stops with their design and execution. The true fun spirit of the show was portrayed through colorful disco lights, creative wave and flower designs, and neon lights lining the edge of the stage. Also equally impressive was the set design (Kristen Chiama, Isaac Mantelli). One of the most prominent set pieces was the beautiful stain glass window which was appropriately illuminated throughout the show. The set design also had many levels which worked to create some beautiful stage pictures.

Starring as Ren, Conner Rudy proved to be a technically advanced dancer by executing difficult dance moves with ease and confidence. The show's choreographers, Meredith Mehegan and Sarah Bresnahan, created fun dances that accommodated dancers with ranging skill levels. One character that stood out for his lack of dance expertise was Keegan Garant in the role of Willard. Garant had the audience rolling in laughter with his cowboy gait and strong southern accent. Garant sold every single scene he was in by fully committing to his character's bold awkwardness. In "Mama Says", Garant along with the Boy Posse put on an impressive performance both vocally and comically.


In his role of Reverend Shaw, Eni Oyeleye gave one of best vocal performances of the night. Not only was he a superb singer, but he was also able to simultaneously portray complex emotions. As the Reverend's daughter, Ariel, Molly Van Trees also gave an all-around great performance from her beautifully clear vocals to her believable stage chemistry with her character's ex-boyfriend, Chuck (Embrey Grimes).

While there were some sound challenges during the show, performers such as Shaina Greenberg (Rusty) dealt with them with absolute professionalism. In the scene leading up to Greenberg's big solo, "Let's Hear It for the Boy", her microphone was not working. With the help of another cast member, Greenberg seamlessly integrated a hand-held mic to compensate for her unresponsive face mic. She then gave a wonderful performance that gave no indication of her prior sound struggles. As Rusty, Greenberg also brought a burst of energy whenever she came onstage.

Overall, Westfield High School's production of Footloose was filled with strong performances and fun dancing numbers that made audiences want to "kick off their Sunday shoes."

Aiden Carroll
Heritage High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Happy feet, angsty teens, and grumpy parents make up Westfield HS' Footloose. Written in 1998 for the stage by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford, the script is an adaptation of the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon. The story follows the young Ren, a high school boy from Chicago who suddenly moves to the small town of Bomont. A dancer, Ren finds trouble in Bomont due to the conservative limitations on "party-related activities" (i.e. dancing). He eventually leads a town-wide effort to bring back dance as a form of self-expression and joy amongst the young people of the town. Complete with raucous dance numbers, impressive spectacle, and hilariously cheesy dialogue, Footloose is a show for audiences of all ages, beliefs, and tastes.

In every meaning of the phrase, Footloose is the quintessential dance show--the students at Westfield HS not only met this expectation, but surpassed it entirely. Each individual character executed complex choreography, moving in near perfect unison and balancing movement with tight vocals. This sort of ensemble coordination was highly impressive; however, the individualization of each personality within the ensemble was what truly captivated. In numbers like "Let's Hear It for the Boy", individual characters such as Willard (Keegan Garant) and Ariel (Molly Van Trees) danced confidently while maintaining a stark characterization.

Keegan Garant's performance as the hilariously dorky Willard was a standout from the beginning--from his first entrance, Garant carried himself with the air of a dweebish, awkward high-school hick. During group numbers, Garant blended into the ensemble of characters, contributing to hugely energetic songs such as the titular "Footloose". On his own, however, Garant completely transformed into Willard, perfectly contrasting comedic moments with his character's own desire for the vivacious Rusty (Shaina Greenburg). In solo numbers such as "Mama Says," Garant coupled standout vocals with hilarious characterization to create a truly hypnotic performance.

The Marketing and Publicity Team at Westfield HS (Allison Bush, et al.), led a strong effort to publicize this performance both near and far. Westfield's team took to social media and the streets of Centreville to publicize this performance, tweeting pictures nearly every day and reaching out to community members in order to attract greater numbers of patrons to their production. During the Saturday night performance, the auditorium was nearly filled to capacity--between the school-wide publicity, community outreach, and online presence, this feat was hardly surprising.

Overall, Westfield HS' production of Footloose was a whimsical, lighthearted production that was just plain fun to watch. Fighting the stigma of the "movie-musical," Footloose often faces comparisons to the 80s film; however, Westfield proved not only that the stage and screen versions are incomparable, but that a high school production could overshadow any professional attempt. I commend Westfield on such a high caliber, powerful production, and look forward to wherever their dancing feet take them in the future.