Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reviewed Saturday 23 August 2025).
Footloose The Musical is a story about relationships and the healing power of dance.
Based on the 1984 film, a single mother and her teenage son, Ren, have arrived in the fictional US town of Bomont, hoping for a fresh start. Ren’s love of dance and self-expression clashes with Bomont local Reverend Shaw, who imposes his own unreasonable laws on the town after experiencing personal tragedy. This clash spills over into the classroom as Ren finds it difficult to make friends and hold down a job without being accused of being a good-for-nothing radical. Tensions become more strained when Ren begins a relationship with the Reverend’s rebellious teenage daughter, Ariel.
The stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie is based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, with music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.
PACA Productions has delivered another hit thanks to wonderful collaboration with a talented cast and many creative people behind the scenes, including executive producers Rodrigo Medina Noël and William Pulley, director Kate Gandy, choreographer Arnold Andrews and musical director William Yates.
The song list on the night included the classic Footloose and Let’s Hear it for the Boys. All of the catchy tunes were naturally huge crowd pleasers.
My favourite songs on the night were the quieter, more reflective songs that added tone and contrast to the upbeat mood. I cried during the duet by Julianne Horne (playing Ethel McCormack, Ren’s mother) and Jessica Zamprogno (playing Vi Moore, Ariel’s mother) in Learning to be Silent – a song about women feeling trapped, belittled and ignored while striving to be good wives and mothers.
Lachlan Leighton’s performance as Reverend Shaw revealed a strict disciplinarian tempered by fear of losing everything. His song set was humbling and real, including Heaven Help Me about coming to terms with his misguided saviour complex, his deep love for his family and his strained relationship with his daughter.
The song Somebody’s Eyes was memorable in both tone and choreography about people who would rather conform and shun others out for being different. The shrugging of the shoulders was an inspired choice to convey indifference and ‘giving the cold shoulder’.
The delightful set design by Marcelo Zavala-Baeza moves effortlessly from scene to scene, taking us from a classroom, to a burger joint, to the interior of the Shaws’ home and Sunday mass. These transitions are fun and visually appealing.
The favourite acting couple on the night was hands down Rusty (played by Cassidy Lobb) and Willard (played by Miles Farrell, with a perfect Southern drawl). Their awkward blossoming teenage romance was meet-cute. The actors playing Ren McCormack (Cameron Mayhem) and Ariel Moore (Emily van Ameyde) were excellent too and in top form.
Footloose is more than an entertaining musical – it’s a celebration of the ups and downs of life. It also carries a wholesome message on how to have mature conversations and effect change in a positive and healthy way.
Footloose The Musical is playing at The Concourse in Chatswood till Saturday 30 August. For tickets and showtimes, go to https://paca.sydney/footloose/
CREDITS:
Images: Grant Leslie