Cut loose? Footloose?

[arykahmarye]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 8:24pm

My director just announced that our next musical is going to be Footloose.
I'm still not feeling too sure on this choice. The group i'm in isn't known for their dancing excellence.

Anyways, 2 questions.
#1: I really only know the movie, so i'm curious how faithfully the musical follows it (especially with the tractor battle). If there's any place where i can get the librett, that would be lovely.
#2: My friends involved aren't as...well, exposed to the variety that Broadway has to offer. If you can help me think of good audition songs for Ren, Rev. Moore, Ariel, Rusty, and Vi, that would be lovely.

[PJ]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 10:58pm

The musical is like the movie in many aspects. But at the same time, it's quite different. There is, of course, no game of chicken with tractors.

I did the show my junior year of high school and our ensemble wasn't dancers. But luckily, we had a choreographer that was able to make people who had never danced before look like they knew what they were doing.

The show as a whole isn't that great. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a blast doing it.

[cathyhyatt]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 10:38pm

I agree with PJ its not the great show ever but it is SOOO MUCHH FUN to be in. I had the best time being in that show. ANY part in that show would be greatttt fun. The shows just all about fun. haha thats how id describe it.

[Klem]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 3:29pm

Arykahmarye,

I wouldn't worry too much about your dancing skills. From what was said before, "Footloose" is a blast to be in. Besides, you seemed to do alright for yourself as "Mrs. Potts" last year.

We're seeing if we can get Pam in to do choreography again. She wants to do it, and she's one of the best people to teach choreography to the seemingly unteachable. She doesn't yell either, which is a perk.

Keep an open mind, and prepare for a fun Senior year finale!

[theatreguy]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 6:10pm

I just did Footloose this past summer. Like evryone else said, it's not at all a great show, but it can be a lot of fun. And the dancing is generally more about the energy and having a good time than how technically good it is. And, if nothing else, you get to wear awesome 80's clothes!

As far as audition songs, any sort of 80's pop stuff would work, at least for the kids. The adult songs are a little more Broadway-ish, though still based in pop. Ren is a high tenor, Ariel, Vi and Ethel are mezzo/altos, Rusty is a mezzo with some crazy high belting, Willard and Shaw are high baritones/tenors.

[SuddenlyTrey]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 1:56pm

Haha! Footloose! I was in Footloose about 3 years ago and it was in a Community Theater, so the dance values were varied. When we had our read thru I remember the director saying she was sad there was no Tractor race...and you just made me remember that.
The show is really not great theater, but as other people have said, it is a lot of fun to be in...I think the audience dies when the Parents come out and sing new songs, if you know what I mean...they did in our production, I suppose that is where acting comes in.
We put the show back in the 80s even though the book says contemporary style. We felt the music was too 80s sounding to get away with it.
I would say look at other TEEN shows for audition songs.

[babygiraffeboots]

Posted: 11/30/05 at 1:06pm

I agree with what everyone has been saying, it's a lot of fun to do. If the dancing is simple but clean it will be great. And hey, if my school can atempt to do ACL I'm thinking anything is possible.

[way_to_spend_the_day]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 11:06pm

Footloose is probably the most fun I've ever had doing a show. My director suggested singing a pop song from the 80's because that is essentially what the songs are. They are not typical musical theatre songs---the soundtrack of the movie became the score for the musical. Have fun! Whatever part you get you'll love!

Posted: 12/3/05 at 12:43am

I just did footloose last spring for our schools musical. I was pretty skeptical at first, because I had only been hearing negative things about it for so long, but it ended up being so much fun! I sang "strongest suit" from aida and it worked out really well for me. We had a lot of kids sing Aida actually also al ot of songs frm Songs For a New World, and of course like everyone else has said 80s pop songs lol. No matter what you're gonna have an awesome time! :)

[dancing_through_life]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 3:54pm

We're doing Footloose for our Spring musical! I'm excited about it. I'm auditioning for Rusty and I have to sing the last few measures of "Let's Hear it For the Boy" where she goes up to that ridiculous high note. . . I think I can do it though. I had to find people who had already performed the musical to get the cd and some of the sheet music :)

[arykahmarye]

Posted: 12/7/05 at 1:56am

I managed to find the music pretty well online. Listening to it just makes me more and more excited.

In looking for audition songs, i figured looking in pop/rock musicals was a good place. I know a lot of people are planning to sing Rent, some might sing Aida, but, horror of horrors, very few actually know of it. I'm trying to think of other shows with the rock music. I suppose Tommy is always a possiblity.

A friend and i thought that as an alternative to the "Chicken" scene with tractors, we could bring on riding lawnmowers, since my uncle has two.

Posted: 12/7/05 at 10:39pm

lol that parts not in the musical. The musical is a lot different than the movie actually, but the music is really fun! just a few plot differences :). Its definitely an awesome show!

[callitquits]

Posted: 12/10/05 at 2:21pm

A less well-known pop/rock musical you could do a song from is Chess, which has some pretty great choices. "Nobody's Side" would probably go over pretty well.

[BroadwayBaby315]

Posted: 12/10/05 at 5:31pm

I actually was in a teen production (as Principal Clark) and then part of the ensemble of a professional production last March/ April. Lots of fun, even for nondancers. Fun musical numbers... you'll have a great time!

[Magical_Ms._Mistoffeles_72]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 3:50pm

Hey, so a bunch of my friends made it into footloose a couple years back (2001 I think) and were required to audition using contemporary music just thought I would let you know

[arykahmarye]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 2:21am

Our auditions were a couple weeks ago, overall an enjoyable affair. I got Wendy Jo, and it's already tres fun.

[champzboy]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 3:21pm

i am footloose now at the f scott fitzgerald theater as willard and it is a BLAST to be in! so def go for it! you'll have a great time! later

[way_to_spend_the_day]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 4:27pm

Wendy Jo is such a great part! Have fun!

[noloversfool]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 3:20pm

Congrats of Wendy Jo!

My school is doing Footloose too. I am Vi Moore in the show. We just had our first rehearsal and I'm very excited!

[Magical_Ms._Mistoffeles_72]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:32pm

I love "Can You Find it in Your Heart?"

[Magical_Ms._Mistoffeles_72]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 7:35pm

I love "Can You Find it in Your Heart?"

[noloversfool]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 8:31pm

I'm very excited to do that song. I love ballads.