FOOTLOOSE WILL LOOSEN YOUR SOUL!
I preface this review, with the fact that this is a High School Production, and "Footloose", Music by Tom Snow, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford, is no easy shoe to tie!!
However, with that said, Union Endicott's Musical Theater Department, led and Directed by a brilliant Joe Brainard, who does not come without an impressive education, and background in theater and music, holds degrees from Broome Community College, The Impressive Crane School of Music, and the well known Stony Brook University! Joe has performed in many venues in the area, and his talent is popular amongst patrons in the Southern Tier. Here, at UEHS, Joe wears many hats, as the music teacher, an instructor for the Tigers' Pride Marching Band, Theater Manager, and the 7th and 8th grade band director! Is there anything this gentleman can not do?? Well, he sure showed off what he is fully capable of tonight, at the Saturday night Production of "Footloose", stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie.)
Josh Wahl, and Danielle Zareski, were the lucky draws to take on the highly challenging vocal, and acting roles of Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon), and Ariel Moore (Lori Singer). Josh Wahl put forth a very energetic, athletic performance, and his acting was keen, and on the mark! He and his buddy Willard, made a great pair on stage, with obvious mutual respect for each other offstage, as they stepped up the rough physical action to a level, that brought on gasps from behind and in front of me....Now, that's great acting!! Josh weaved his way through the melodies, and gave the audience a fine effort! Danielle Zareski played the role of Ariel, very differently from the original movie character. I have never seen this musical production, nor heard the soundtrack, but Danielle created a sassy, and high boot-kicking lady, mature beyond her years. Danielle's acting ability, and lovely voice show she has worked hard over the years to obtain this role, and surely has a nice future ahead of her!
Not necessarily in order of appearance, or importance in the show, I would feel only right to next take up the roles of Willard Hewitt, and Rusty. The years of experience that Conor Haynes, and Khala Hurd hold behind them showed brighter than the Northern Star tonight! These two amazing, talented, incredible, stunning, and entrancing performers stole the show from beginning to end. But, they did not go out of their ways to do so!! Sometimes, it just happens in musical theater, naturally, such as the Thernadiers, of Les Miserables, have many times brought down the house with their number, "Master Of The House", more than any other number in the show! Musicals, sometimes, have a habit, in their writing, to boost up the supporting characters a little more with incredible scenes, intense moments, and perfect numbers! Conor Haynes, was the devout professional as Willard Hewitt, and I certainly would have loved to have seen him in the movie instead, playing that role the way he did. Much reverence, and honor, but perfect toughness, obtuseness, and heart! Something, that I know Conor can pull off with as well as buttering a slice of bread!! Khala Hurd is still BROADWAY BOUND in this writer's previous, and present opinion. However, she has been accepted to Cortland for another line of education! If Khala were my daughter, who is quite close to her in age actually, only a year behind, I'd beg her to go to NYC or Los Angeles, where she would surely become an A-List star, with her rich, powerful, and beautiful voice, and great dancing, and energy, perfect role changes emotionally throughout the show, and a stage presence that shines like a "Candle In The Wind" (Elton John)! Khala soared, and rocked her way through her solo, "Let's Hear It For The Boy"! Certainly, the mostly mid-aged crowd, joined with me in foot tapping, smiling, and remembering the old days of the 80's! So, how do I know when someone has what it takes to be the best? You should have heard the crowd when she finished her number, with the rest of the cast, superbly filling in behind, whom I can't wait to get to in a bit! Hoots, hollers, whistles, call outs of acceptance, and basically, the biggest crowd reaction of the show! Bravo to the entire cast on that number, as well as the opening, which always needs to be strong, as well as, the amazing, audience immersive, "Somebody's Eyes"! Here most of the mixed chorus stood along the outside aisles, and created a symphonic sound, that caressed the audiences ears, certainly, with what sounded like ocean waves at night, rippling upon the shore!
The choreography..... wow... WOW.... INCREDIBLE!!! Thank you Rita Pilotti! There were all types of styles of dancing going on. Sometimes, they were happening at the same time! Acrobatics abound, and lead dancers that showed off excellent training, that took years of hard work to obtain! Pit Orchestra Director, Chris Weber, was a lot of fun to watch. Mr. Weber led an 8 piece orchestra, who was so professional sounding that at first, I thought it was a recording. But, then I looked up front, and saw the him conducting. Not a single note was missed all night, and I'm not kidding about that. Not only were they basically, perfect, but the lead guitarist gave us an incredible, perfectly long solo, in which he ripped up his strings, as though he'd been on tours for over 50 years!! He also, received one of the biggest cheers of the show!! Bravo!
Matt Simmons, did a fine job, in getting across the difficulty of portraying the tough attributions, of Reverend Shaw Moore. Nice job Matt! You had me swallowing hard a couple of times! Heather Hommel, is another singer who completely impressed me tonight. She must have training going back from a very young age, or a devotion to her craft beyond her years, as well! Gorgeous tone quality, beautiul vibrato, and basically, a very professional, NYC ready voice to hit all the auditions she wants!
Lydia Griffin, and Molly Pero both added very good voices to the trio with Rusty, who reminded me of the "Little Shop of Horrors" trio, with their perfect in and out harmonies. These 3 very well acting lady's, and singers, fine tuned when together, and offered very, very nice harmonies, that once the entire chorus joined in as well, became the bests sound on the stage for everyone!
Together, this group of hard working, completely memorized, and individualistically talented high schoolers, sounded like a choir that had been singing together for over 10 years! So, so powerful UEHS Theater department. Thank you for sharing the important message of love and acceptance to the parents and audience, that you gave us all! Many lessons for anyone of any age to learn, not that anyone needs to necessarily, but such a beautiful message of connection between generations!
Written by:
Colin Bruce Munro Wood
Wood News Agency
"Honest & True" Reporting and Reviews
4/2/16 - My son Ethan's 15th Birthday - 11:58PM
I preface this review, with the fact that this is a High School Production, and "Footloose", Music by Tom Snow, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford, is no easy shoe to tie!!
However, with that said, Union Endicott's Musical Theater Department, led and Directed by a brilliant Joe Brainard, who does not come without an impressive education, and background in theater and music, holds degrees from Broome Community College, The Impressive Crane School of Music, and the well known Stony Brook University! Joe has performed in many venues in the area, and his talent is popular amongst patrons in the Southern Tier. Here, at UEHS, Joe wears many hats, as the music teacher, an instructor for the Tigers' Pride Marching Band, Theater Manager, and the 7th and 8th grade band director! Is there anything this gentleman can not do?? Well, he sure showed off what he is fully capable of tonight, at the Saturday night Production of "Footloose", stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie.)
Josh Wahl, and Danielle Zareski, were the lucky draws to take on the highly challenging vocal, and acting roles of Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon), and Ariel Moore (Lori Singer). Josh Wahl put forth a very energetic, athletic performance, and his acting was keen, and on the mark! He and his buddy Willard, made a great pair on stage, with obvious mutual respect for each other offstage, as they stepped up the rough physical action to a level, that brought on gasps from behind and in front of me....Now, that's great acting!! Josh weaved his way through the melodies, and gave the audience a fine effort! Danielle Zareski played the role of Ariel, very differently from the original movie character. I have never seen this musical production, nor heard the soundtrack, but Danielle created a sassy, and high boot-kicking lady, mature beyond her years. Danielle's acting ability, and lovely voice show she has worked hard over the years to obtain this role, and surely has a nice future ahead of her!
Not necessarily in order of appearance, or importance in the show, I would feel only right to next take up the roles of Willard Hewitt, and Rusty. The years of experience that Conor Haynes, and Khala Hurd hold behind them showed brighter than the Northern Star tonight! These two amazing, talented, incredible, stunning, and entrancing performers stole the show from beginning to end. But, they did not go out of their ways to do so!! Sometimes, it just happens in musical theater, naturally, such as the Thernadiers, of Les Miserables, have many times brought down the house with their number, "Master Of The House", more than any other number in the show! Musicals, sometimes, have a habit, in their writing, to boost up the supporting characters a little more with incredible scenes, intense moments, and perfect numbers! Conor Haynes, was the devout professional as Willard Hewitt, and I certainly would have loved to have seen him in the movie instead, playing that role the way he did. Much reverence, and honor, but perfect toughness, obtuseness, and heart! Something, that I know Conor can pull off with as well as buttering a slice of bread!! Khala Hurd is still BROADWAY BOUND in this writer's previous, and present opinion. However, she has been accepted to Cortland for another line of education! If Khala were my daughter, who is quite close to her in age actually, only a year behind, I'd beg her to go to NYC or Los Angeles, where she would surely become an A-List star, with her rich, powerful, and beautiful voice, and great dancing, and energy, perfect role changes emotionally throughout the show, and a stage presence that shines like a "Candle In The Wind" (Elton John)! Khala soared, and rocked her way through her solo, "Let's Hear It For The Boy"! Certainly, the mostly mid-aged crowd, joined with me in foot tapping, smiling, and remembering the old days of the 80's! So, how do I know when someone has what it takes to be the best? You should have heard the crowd when she finished her number, with the rest of the cast, superbly filling in behind, whom I can't wait to get to in a bit! Hoots, hollers, whistles, call outs of acceptance, and basically, the biggest crowd reaction of the show! Bravo to the entire cast on that number, as well as the opening, which always needs to be strong, as well as, the amazing, audience immersive, "Somebody's Eyes"! Here most of the mixed chorus stood along the outside aisles, and created a symphonic sound, that caressed the audiences ears, certainly, with what sounded like ocean waves at night, rippling upon the shore!
The choreography..... wow... WOW.... INCREDIBLE!!! Thank you Rita Pilotti! There were all types of styles of dancing going on. Sometimes, they were happening at the same time! Acrobatics abound, and lead dancers that showed off excellent training, that took years of hard work to obtain! Pit Orchestra Director, Chris Weber, was a lot of fun to watch. Mr. Weber led an 8 piece orchestra, who was so professional sounding that at first, I thought it was a recording. But, then I looked up front, and saw the him conducting. Not a single note was missed all night, and I'm not kidding about that. Not only were they basically, perfect, but the lead guitarist gave us an incredible, perfectly long solo, in which he ripped up his strings, as though he'd been on tours for over 50 years!! He also, received one of the biggest cheers of the show!! Bravo!
Matt Simmons, did a fine job, in getting across the difficulty of portraying the tough attributions, of Reverend Shaw Moore. Nice job Matt! You had me swallowing hard a couple of times! Heather Hommel, is another singer who completely impressed me tonight. She must have training going back from a very young age, or a devotion to her craft beyond her years, as well! Gorgeous tone quality, beautiul vibrato, and basically, a very professional, NYC ready voice to hit all the auditions she wants!
Lydia Griffin, and Molly Pero both added very good voices to the trio with Rusty, who reminded me of the "Little Shop of Horrors" trio, with their perfect in and out harmonies. These 3 very well acting lady's, and singers, fine tuned when together, and offered very, very nice harmonies, that once the entire chorus joined in as well, became the bests sound on the stage for everyone!
Together, this group of hard working, completely memorized, and individualistically talented high schoolers, sounded like a choir that had been singing together for over 10 years! So, so powerful UEHS Theater department. Thank you for sharing the important message of love and acceptance to the parents and audience, that you gave us all! Many lessons for anyone of any age to learn, not that anyone needs to necessarily, but such a beautiful message of connection between generations!
Written by:
Colin Bruce Munro Wood
Wood News Agency
"Honest & True" Reporting and Reviews
4/2/16 - My son Ethan's 15th Birthday - 11:58PM
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