Marriott's rousing 'Footloose'...

There is a lot of great talent onstage for "Footloose," now receiving its first revival in 14 years at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire...

...Now the 1984 film "Footloose" seemed like it would have been a natural for its 1998 movie-to-Broadway musical adaptation. It's got strong brand-name recognition, plus the film is already packed with catchy pop hits like "Almost Paradise" and "Holding Out for a Hero" that still get heavy rotation on oldies radio stations and as background music at supermarkets and doctors' offices.

But much of that 1980s nostalgia for "Footloose" is really more for its Top 40 music and its breakout star Kevin Bacon. It's not so much for the film's silly plot. Remember? It's the one about the fictional and geographically vague small town of Bomont where there's a law against dancing.

Director Gary Griffin's energetic take on "Footloose" for the Marriott starts promisingly enough. Media designer Liviu Pasare utilizes two big video screens showing road signs mentioning late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington before switching to the nightclub Medusa.

That's where we first meet the singing and dancing teenager Ren McCormack (Aidan Wharton). Ren breaks the bad news to his club friends that he and his newly single and jobless mom, Ethel (Heidi Kettenring), have to move in with her sister's family in Bomont in order for them to get back on their feet.

But rather than being embraced in Bomont, Ren and Ethel are largely ostracized for being big city outsiders. They're also stifled by the religiosity of Reverend Shaw Moore (Jim Stanek), who has a grip on the ever-watchful townsfolk (as vividly detailed in the song "Somebody's Eyes").

So of course Ren has to rail against Bomont's ban on dancing, while also picking up a love interest with Rev. Moore's rebellious daughter Ariel (Lucy Godinez). Meanwhile, Rev. Moore's wife, Vi (Johanna McKenzie Miller), slowly and patiently tempers her hard-line husband for the inevitable happy ending.

Where "Footloose" largely works is with its big production numbers tied to hit songs from the film. Choreographer William Carlos Angulo has a rousing time with the game cast, especially in the country club number "Let's Hear It for the Boy." That's when Ariel's talkative friend Rusty (Monica Ramirez) cheers on laconic hayseed Willard Hewitt (Ben Barker) as he breaks free from his two left feet...

...So if you're looking for general nostalgic 1980s fun, "Footloose" should fit the bill. The Marriott's revival is filled with rousing moments and strong performances all around...