Guest Post: Footloose in Zilker Park

It's been three days since I attended Austin's 53rd Annual Zilker Summer Musical and I'm still singing, "Everybody cut, everybody cut!"  The energetic production of Footloose at the Sheffield Hillside Theatre in Zilker Park was so fun I had a hard time not jumping up and dancing along.  But I have that problem whenever I hear '80s music.  (When Toni Basil's "Hey Mickey" played over the speakers at intermission, I may have embarrassed myself a little, by singing too loudly).  And this musical has three great '80s tunes: "Footloose," "Let's Hear it for the Boy," and "Almost Paradise."


Every year, I think the cast and crew of Zilker Summer Musical perform better than the last.  For a play that is free to attend, the quality is amazing.  Footloose boasts a talented cast with strong vocals.  The live orchestra makes the performance even more enjoyable.  And the choreography with big musical dance numbers seals the deal.  It's a great way to spend an evening, relaxing on a blanket in the park, watching the sometimes poignant and often humorous tale of a troubled teenage boy unfold. 


There are a few things you may want to consider before taking small children to the musical:

• The play starts at approximately 8:30 p.m. and does not end until 10:45 p.m.


• There is some violence - the main character's uncle hits him in the face and the teenage boys are always itching for a fight.


• There is some innuendo - the main character says, "You make her horny" and two characters talk about doing "it."


• There is quite a bit of talk about alcohol and drugs.


• There is minor language - "He can kiss my butt"; "Where the hell where you?"; "Can I please kick his butt?"

Footloose plays Thursday through Sunday nights at Sheffield Hillside Theatre, across the street from Barton Springs, through August 13, 2011.  The play is free but you may need $3 for parking and donations are accepted at intermission.

For more information, visit the Zilker Theatre Productions website.


Guest blogger Heidi Gollub loves exploring Austin with her four kids. You can find more of her adventures at Free Fun in Austin.