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Picketwire Theatre's Footloose: The Musical Delivers High-Energy Performances
Description: Photo by: John Lockhart. See why this energetic production featuring outstanding singing, dancing, and local talent is a must-see. Performances run July 9-12, 2026. Read the Full Review...
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La Junta is Rocking This Weekend as Footloose Opens
at the Picketwire Theatre
Picketwire’s theatre explodes this summer with their production of “Footloose: The Musical." It opens Thursday, July 9 and runs through Sunday, July 12 at the Picketwire Center of Performing and Visual Arts in La Junta.
“Footloose” isn’t just a musical, it is a full-blown feeling. There’s music, youth rebellion, and dancing, dancing, dancing! Longtime Picketwire director, Tracey Salzbrenner has done it again – produced a hit summer musical!! Musical Director Dean Rees was brilliant in his direction of lead actors and ensemble singers. Choreographers Rena Ruiz and Desiree Goheen truly outdid themselves. Audience members are not just going to be tapping their feet, they’ll be dancing in the aisles.
There is so much talent on the stage during this production. From the opening note, the voices blend and excite as they tell the story of city kid Ren McCormack who is relocated to the small town of Bomont to live with relatives after his father leaves the family. Andrew Benjamin plays Ren with all the frustration, angst and fun that teenagers feel. Ren does not understand the town’s law of no dancing and does his best to try and change the law and the heart of its citizens. His feet never stop moving throughout the show, and his singing is wonderful.
Ariel Moore, the minister’s daughter, becomes his love interest. Kaydence Salazar is fabulous as Ariel. Kaydence’s singing, dancing and acting is taken to new professional heights with every production she does at Picketwire. She illustrates Ariel’s playful side in “This Girl Gets Around” and a couple songs with her girl posse: Rusty (Rena Ruiz), Urleen (Audrey Leitner), and Wendy Jo (Phoebie Sullivan). Her hurt and anger come through when she sings “Learning to Be Silent," a song she sings with Ren’s mother (Amie Jones) and her own mother Vi. Her duet with Andrew Benjamin in “Almost Paradise” is lovely.
Vi has so many layers and the veteran actress Heather Pidcock Reed peels them all away, little by little. She is the devoted minister’s wife, a grieving mother who is trying to support her husband, but exhibits some defiance as she struggles to keep her family together. Heather’s rendition of “Can You Find It in Your Heart” is heartbreaking. Hearing Heather’s voice in any production is always a treat.
Her husband Reverend Shaw Moore is played by Jonathan Colson. Even though it was the Reverend who instituted the no dancing rule after a horrific accident that kills four teenagers, he questions his actions and looks for a better balance in “Heaven Help Me." Jonathan’s rich voice strengthens the story with both solo and ensemble numbers.
The second Act opens with a rousing number at a dance hall (in an adjacent town). The dance (and flirting) was so much fun and the perfect amount of energy to get the audience fully engaged. Cowboy Bob’s band added a lot of playfulness to fit the scene – especially the back-up singers: Maranatha Hoyt, Briley Mayhoffer, Maria Lavin, Adalynn Hart, and Arian Spoon.
The character of Willard Hewitt, who becomes Ren’s first friend and Rusty’s love interest, is so much fun. Aidan Rapp is a natural actor, and the calming voice during some tense moments on stage. His rendition of “Mama Says” is a delight.
There are so many wonderful actors, singers, and dancers in multiple roles; they all stand out in their own way. Then, there is Rena Ruiz. From the opening number to the finale, it is hard to keep your eyes off her as Rusty. Her comedic timing is stupendous, only to be outdone by her singing and dancing. Fun! Fun! Fun!
As we mentioned earlier, Director Salzbrenner has another hit on her hands. Assisting her in production are Assistant Directors Cameron Salzbrenner and Desiree Goheen, Lighting Technician Zach Zamora, Sound Technician Karl Ludwig, and Stage Manager Kate Pruyn.
If you want to hear fabulous singing or see some great dancing, go to “Footloose: The Musical." If you want to remember that feeling you had going to your high school dances, get to Picketwire to see “Footloose: The Musical”!
“Footloose: The Musical” production dates are Thursday, July 9, Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 12 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at the Box Office of Picketwire Theatre (802 San Juan Avenue, La Junta, CO) or online at https://www.picketwireplayers.org/tickets.
Photos by John Lockhart
