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Overview
Synopsis
Footloose is the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago. He and his mother move to the small town of Bomont after his father abandons them. Upon arriving, Ren finds himself at odds with most of the town, including the Reverend Bomont. The Reverend has convinced the town to outlaw dancing, which Ren finds unbelievable. With the help of the Ariel (the Reverend’s daughter) and Willard (a country hick who becomes his best friend), Ren convinces the Reverend to let the teenagers dance, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy that affected them all.
A school version of Footloose is available for licensing through R&H Theatrical’s Getting to Know series.
Show Information
- Book
- Dean Pitchford , Walter Bobbie
- Music
- Tom Snow , Jim Steinman
- Lyrics
- Dean Pitchford
- Conceived By
- Dean Pitchford
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Based on the film
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1998
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- a small farming town
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Adult, Mature Adult, Early Teen, Young Adult, Child, Elderly Characters
Context
The musical production of Footloose was based on the 1984 film of the same name which starred Kevin Bacon in the leading role of Ren. The movie also starred Broadway veteran John Lithgow in the role of Shaw as well as a young Sarah Jessica Parker as the fun and peppy Rusty. The film was the seventh highest-grossing film for its release year and the title song, “Footloose”, became a beloved classic.
The film received its stage adaptation in October of 1998 when it opened to audiences at the
to read the context for Footloose and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Ren McCormack, a “big city” teenager, decides to dance away the long work day at a Chicago nightclub (“Footloose”). Ren breaks the news to his friends, since his father left them, Ren and his mother, Ethel, can no longer afford to live in Chicago and now must move in with his aunt and uncle in the small and conservative town of Bomont.
The McCormacks are settling into sleepy life in Bomont and attend service at the local church. The pastor, Shaw Moore, gives a long-winded and
to read the plot for Footloose and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Silent |
Songs
Act I
- *Footloose - Ren and the Company
- On Any Sunday – Rev. Shaw Moore and the Company
- The Girl Gets Around – Chuck, Ariel, Travis, and Lyle
- *I Can’t Stand Still – Ren
- Somebody’s Eyes – Rusty, Urleen, Wendy Jo, and the Company
- Learning to be Silent – Vi and Ethel
- Holding Out for a Hero – Ariel, Rusty, Wendy Jo, and Urleen
- Heaven Help Me – Shaw
- *I’m Free/Heaven Help Me – Ren, Shaw, and the Company
Act II
- *Let’s Make Believe We’re In Love – Irene and her Country Kickers, *Ren, *Ariel, *Rusty,
- *Cowboy Bob, & Willard
- *Let’s Hear It For the Boy – Rusty and the *Company
- Can You Find It In Your Heart – Vi
- Mama Says (You Can’t Back Down) – Willard, Bickle, Garvin, Jeter, and Ren
- Almost Paradise – Ren and Ariel
- Dancing Is Not A Crime – Ren, Willard, Bickle, Garvin, and Jeter
- I Confess – Shaw
- Can You Find It In Your Heart (Reprise) – Shaw
- *Footloose (Finale) – The Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
The sequence of steps and movements in dance, also the orchestrated and rehearsed movements for actors, based on the script.
A restaging of a stage production after its original run has closed.
A musical theatre work using rock music.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
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