Pines Dinner Theatre delivers an energetic, fun and tuneful production of the rocking hit musical “Footloose.”
More than a dozen performers fill the Pines’ stage with rousing music and dancing in the musical that features several popular hit songs, as well as new songs.
“Footloose” is playing through Aug. 16, at the Pines’ new location in Cedar Point at 315 S. Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown.
Asher Cooper is appealing as Ren McCormack, the big city transplant from Chicago, who is shocked to find dancing is illegal in the small town of Bomont. Cooper aptly conveys Ren’s cocky defiance and gritty determination as he tries to shallenge the rules. He leads the cast in an enjoyably raucous rendition of the title song “Footloose.”
Gabrielle Hondorp’s Ariel Moore is tough but engaging as the preacher’s smart, but angrily frustrated daughter who is rebelling against her father’s overreach by dating the town bad boy. She is especially poignant on “Holding Out for a Hero.”
As the controlling Rev. Moore, Sean Cullen Carroll is rigid and closed off from his family at first, but ultimately lets his feelings show through.
Beth Linzer’s Vi Moore is heartbreaking as she tries to hold her family together and reach her remote husband.
Particularly wrenching is the trio of Linzer, Hondorp, and Moriah Faith as Ren’s hapless mother, on the lovely harmonies on “Learning to be Silent.”
Noel Cruz is funny and delightful as Ariel’s supportive best friend Rusty who shines in the fun “Let’s Hear it for the Boy.“ Cruz and sidekicks, Maggie Dean as Urleen and Paige Horvath as Wendy Jo, harmonize nicely on the haunting “Somebody’s Eyes.”
Max Evans makes the goofy hillbilly role of Willard Hewitt grow on you. His “Mama Says,” backed by Josh Bridges as Lyle and Jack Warnke as Travis, is a humorous highlight.
Max Wetherhold is arrogant and menacing as bad boy Chuck Cranston who is willing to use violence to get what he wants.
The set by director Oliver Blatt is basic, but effective, using projections to change scenes. However he takes it up a notch with a large train trestle set piece that rolls in for the duet by Cooper and Hondorp on “Almost Paradise.” Blatt is particularly clever in his use of the small stage with a larger cast.
A four piece band led by Stacy Bechtel is behind a sheer scrim at the back of the stage and gives the show a full, rich sound.
Show times are 6 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show Fridays; noon dinner, 1:30 p.m. show and 6 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show Saturdays; noon dinner, 1:30 p.m. shows Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Tickets are $42. Food is available ala carte. Patrons may bring their own bottle.
For information, call 610-433-2333 or go to Pinesdinnertheatre.com.