Since its inception, Pinewood Bowl Inc. has created a tradition of bringing the worlds of movies and musicals together under the summer sky at Pioneer's Park: "The King And I," "My Fair Lady," "High School Musical" just to name a few.

For its 60th anniversary, the Lincoln community and the people behind Pinewood decided to continue that tradition with the 1984 musical classic "Footloose."

"Footloose's" originally flimsy movie plot line is actually well-served here; the lack of detail and originality that derailed the film works surprisingly well in musical form.

Even so, there always has been a distinct difference between musical and movie formats, and inevitably many aspects of each get lost in translation.

What passes as subtle angst on screen is drowned out by bright lights and blaring music from the pit. What seems a nonsensical dance interlude on screen makes total sense on stage. This often makes a musical suffer from a disconcerting mix of Broadway-style exuberance and movie-style realism.

Even with the challenges an adaptation can bring on, it should be known that from the moment the "Footloose" cast bursts onto the stage in neon and sequins, it is clear that while young, they are talented in both dance and vocals.

With a tight ensemble cast, it was easy for the leads to shine. (Though, from what I remember, Chuck was a little more smarmy and a little less redneck, Ren a little less comical and a little more tough and Ariel a lot more city vixen trapped in a country bumpkin's world.)

Standout vocalist Sammie Ware had a supporting role as Ariel Moore's brazen sidekick, Rusty, but she stole the spotlight with her knockout voice and a presence that seemed to push everyone else on the stage to the wings.

Michael Cleveland, who stars as Ren McCormack, has the movement of a man cut out for the stage: He can dance with ease and fluidity, so much so that he almost makes you forget about his occasional issues with the role's virtuosic vocal range.

And Kellyn Wooten, a vocal performance major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, plays Ariel Moore with an innocence that translates well on stage but leaves most of the sass to her bright red boots.

Though both Wooten and Cleveland pulled their weight as the leads, when the two paired up on stage, it left you wondering whether they really were going to end up together. Blame it on their age or the fact that the musical is catered toward a young, family-oriented audience, but the passion and chemistry between Wooten and Cleveland was about as hot as tepid water.

With musical following the basic story line of the movie, there is inevitably room for a lot of comparison. But given the young cast and Broadway-infused sing-alongs, there really is none. When you go to Pinewood Bowl, there's always an expectation of good, clean, Midwestern entertainment, and that's exactly what you're going to get with "Footloose."