Review: 'Footloose' by Nonnewaug High School Dramatic Society

Pictured: (from left) Joshua Cocuzzo as Ren and Michael Keenan as Willard in 'Footloose' at Nonnewaug HS

REN: He's a preacher, not a teacher.
ARIEL: When you're good at it, it's the same thing. And he used to be real good.
REN: What changed?
ARIEL: His mind. He closed it.

Woodbury, CT - Nonnewaug High School Dramatic Society is proudly presenting a modern reboot of the 80s classic ‘Footloose The Musical’ this weekend. The stage adaptation was written by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie based upon the original screenplay of the film that tells the story of a town where dancing has been banned. The music was written by Tom Snow with lyrics by Dean Pitchford, with additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman. Shannon-Courtney Denihan served as both director and choreographer for the first time at Nonnewaug and worked with over 50 talented students to bring this fun show to life despite nine snow day rehearsal cancellations and numerous early dismissals that also prohibited rehearsal time.

Ms. Denihan chose ‘Footless’ for the score as well as the timeliness of its underlying message of inclusion and tolerance. She writes in the program that she also chose to set it in contemporary time because it is possibly even more relevant today than it was back in 1984 when the original screenplay was written. After thanking everyone involved in the production, the director adds, “Being part of Drama can give so much to students...No art form is truly more collaborative. Drama is such an important part of our kids’ lives and schools.” I would certainly concur and appreciate the hard work that she and the other adults involved put into this fine spring musical.

The opening “Footloose” scene in Chicago featured company members dressed in black and dancing well. I always love the “Somebody’s Eyes” sequence and this version was nicely blocked. There was some good choreography throughout; I liked the country line dancing in the Western Dance Hall that featured three cast members playing guitars on the stage and a great solo by Cowboy Bob. The gymnastic skills of Joshua Cocuzzo (Ren McCormack) were nicely showcased more than once and it added much to the role. The athletic ability of Ashley Cole, Lauren Stokes, Ashlynn Vidic and especially the fearless Stephanie Marenghi were also on display in “I’m Free/Heaven Help Me.”

The Nonnewaug students all did a very good job with their characters. Bryce Bauer, a tenth grade student who was in ‘The Addams Family’ (the last production that I saw at Nonnewaug,) played the role of Travis and a cop. Ian Bauer, who was Pugsley in ‘Addams,’ appeared as both Lyle and a terrific Cowboy Bob. Freshman Olivia Braga stepped out of the ensemble to appear as a cowgirl and Frank Cosenza, a NHS senior, appeared in his first show as Coach Roger Dunbar. Shout out to freshman Cole Cutrofello, who made his stage debut in CTAW ‘Tied to the Tracks,’ and played Garvin.

Senior Sophie Fenn simply glowed as Urleen and sang well. Michael Garvey, a sophomore who was the caveman ancestor in ‘Addams,’ played the mean boyfriend Chuck Cranston in his third show at Nonnewaug. Junior Brianna Hill played the coach’s wife and council member Eleanor Dunbar. Michael Kastilahn (‘The Addams Family’) is now a senior at the high school and took on the role of Reverend Shaw Moore. He will be heading to college next year to study either engineering or environmental science.

Michael Keenan, another senior, was a riot as the intellectually challenged but lovable Willard Hewitt. He plans to go into the wilderness therapy field when he graduates. Jacok Kelsey, a senior who was memorable as Lucas Beineke in ‘Addams,’ did a wonderful job as the school principal. Mr. Kelsey recently appeared in Naugatuck Teen Theatre’s production of ‘Working' and has also worked with the youth acting program at Seven Angels in Waterbury.

Penelope Kogan, a senior with dance training who was the dance captain, did a great job as Wendy. Mary Lasley, a junior, took on both the role of Ren’s mother Ethel and the Burger Blast worker on roller skates named Betty Blast and made both memorable. Allison Ogle, a junior, appeared as Jo and Erin Reich, a senior, played Ren’s aunt Lulu Warnicker. Sophomore Rebecca Reimold, a dancer with the Woodbury Main Street Ballet, had fun in the role of Rusty. Ally Roche, a freshman, was an ensemble member and David Schmaler, a senior, made his debut as an actor as the uncle of Ren, Wes Warnicker. Kai Spencer made his stage debut in the role of Jeter; the NHS junior is a member of the Naugatuck High School Marching Band.

Freshman Margaret Price was a standout in the role of Vi Moore, the wife of the reverend. Ms. Price, who appeared in ‘Tied to the Tracks’ in 2017, and beautifully for both “Learning to Be Silent” and “Can You Find it in Your Heart” and had a great stage presence in this motherly role.

Junior Malia Piscitelli (‘Tied to the Tracks’) had an easy stage presence in the role of Ariel Moore and sang and danced very well in her trademark red cowboy boots. Joshua Cocuzzo (an ancestor in ‘Addams,’ Conrad Birdie in last year’s ‘Bye Bye Birdie’) had good rapport with her as Ren McCormack. His gymnastic skills helped his to dance well and it was fun to see his showing off his pommel horse abilities during the scene in the gym and break dancing in the same style in another scene.

The always wonderful Todd Gorski led the musicians and vocalists as the music director, conductor and keyboard player. Six students sat in the pit along with four adult guitar and bass players and the sound was strong without overpowering the somewhat quiet singers. There were some innovative lighting strokes designed by the technical director, NHS senior Dean Jones; Mr. Jones was also in charge of sound design, helped with set construction and business/marketing.

NHS junior Glen Jameson served as stage manager for the musical. Credit for the contemporary costumes goes to Natalie Shreve and Mrs. Shannon Bauer and the great scenic design was done by Breanna Harding, Leah Hungerford and Mrs. Leeza Desjardins. Junior Jack Corso worked on set construction. There were several large pieces that must have barely fit backstage but worked well except for one lighted sign that did not cooperate when it was time to pull it up and had to be cut down with the use of a ladder, to applause of course. I loved the laser Footloose logo projected on the curtain that switched to ‘Intermission’ at the correct time.

This family-friendly show is sure to get everyone out of their seats and dying to "cut footloose!" There is one remaining performance, a matinee today at 2pm.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417