REFLECTIONS

Let’s cut loose for an afternoon of fun at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre.

“Footloose” is a 2½-hour energy blitz that features some of the top singers and dinners in the Upper Midwest.

Not only were the songs and dancing captivating, the multiple stages left one spellbound. You actually felt like you were in a railroad depot when a train passed through.

Three motorcycles came onto the scene, actually small versions that were pushed by the actors. They looked real.

Of course, the acting was expected to be top notch, and it was.

COVID landed a low blow to “The Music Man,” but it recovered and had a successful showing.

The recent viewing of “Footloose” was my first time back since COVID hit. Theatre goers were eager to return and return they did.

Some new actors made their debut in this show. The two leads were Maya Richardson as Ariel Moore and Alan Bach as Ren McCormack. They were at their best on the dance floor.

Bach is back on state after appearing in “The Music Man,” “Grease,” “Disney’s Newsies,” and “Mamma Mia!”

Maya Richardson also made her acting debut in “Footloose” at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre.

From the first scene, the show kept on gaining speed. Bach and Richardson played their parts in a robust manner.

The theme of the production centers around Ren McCormack trying to find himself after moving from Chicago and getting involved in the swinging life so normal now but frowned upon by residents of Beaumont.

The first musical number introduced the first rendition of “Footloose”. The second act picked up even more speed with the actors participating in a Bar-B-Que at a country western dance hall.

Matthew Hall steals the show as Willard Hewitt, a bumbling, aspiring wannabe cowboy. His dancing skills were second to none. Michael Gruber returns as the Rev. Shaw Moore. He definitely has those pastoral qualities.

McCormack’s goal was to promote dancing in the community of Beaumont. He convinced the community to finally accept dancing to some explosive music.

While at Chanhassen, we had the chance to hook up with Angel Whiteside, a Box Office supervisor. She whispered in our ear that the next Chanhassen production will be “The Prom.”

“Footloose” has such tremendous impact, says director Michael Brindisi:

“This is a play mostly about family, love, heartaches and trials. It also is a play mostly about survival.”

“Footloose” has been extended into February of 2023. Don’t miss this classic. Chanhassen scores again to become one of the finest theatrical entities in the nation.