Star of Many Stages

By Suzanne Chessler
Special to the Detroit Jewish News

Jana Robbins has portrayed Jewish mothers, most recently in Richard Greenberg's Hurrah at Last, but she comes to the Fisher Theatre as a non-Jewish mother in Footloose, a musical about teen-age rebellion.

"Ethel McCormick is feisty, funny and very much a force behind her son," says Robbins, who will be in town Oct. 26-Nov. 14. "My character wants to see him persevere and be willing to work toward what his goals are. This musical is uplifting, and people leave the theater wanting to dance."

Footloose, in its first national tour, is the story of a free-spirited kid who brings dancing back to a small town where the minister has forbidden it. The high-energy show follows the film version, which starred Kevin Bacon and John Lithgow.

The soundtrack - written by Dean Pitchford in collaboration with Kenny Loggins, Tom Snow, Sammy Hagar, Jim Steinman and Eric Carmen - featured six "Top Forty" songs including "Let's Hear It for the Boy," "Holding Out for a Hero," "Almost Paradise" and the title song, "Footloose."

"The musical is great family fun and has a lot of lively entertainment, says Robbins, who has been at the Fisher in Man of La Mancha and Good News, and in the city to make industrial films for the auto companies."

"It really circles around and focuses on the kids more than the adults. I'm singing one number in this show, a duet with the minister's wife. The kids sing numbers that are more or less rock, and then all of sudden this stunning, almost Sondheim-like ballad, 'Learning to Be Silent.' It's about maintaining relationships and knowing when not to speak."

Performing only one song in a show is unusual for Robbins, who played Mama Rose in Gypsy across the country and as the frequent fill-in for Tyne Daly on Broadway, but it's not unusual for her to take on a strong personality.

"Most of my television work has placed me as a high-power attorney, which is what I played on 'General Hospital,' "says Robbins, who also has been on "Jag," "Cheers" and "Roseanne."

Robbins, who has been in the films Haunted Heart with Olympia Dukakis and Executive Target with Roy Schieder, never wanted to do anything but perform. She took a cue from her mother, who danced with Gene Kelly in their small Pennsylvania hometown.

Robbins earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Stephens College in Missouri and won her first Broadway role at her first New York audition, joining the chorus of South Pacific. That first job led to national tours, and she enjoyed returning to Broadway for I Love My Wife, Crimes of the Heart and Romance/Romance.

Her one album, "Jana Robbins: Face to Face" consists of songs written by Brian Gari, Eddie Cantor's grandson, who saw her in Gypsy and asked that she make the recording.

"Acting is what I wanted to do my entire life, and it's what I've done my entire life", says Robbins who also has her own company, Better World Productions, to take on uplifting theater and film projects. "I'm almost always working. I grew up with a lot of family values, got married out of college and managed to raise a son, who now is a cameraman in California."

Although single, Robbins maintains a close relationship with her former mother-in-law, Dorothy Rosenwald, a past national vice president of the National Council of Jewish Women.

"Dorothy got me a membership, but I never was able to find time to become involved," says Robbins, who changed her name from Marsha Eisenberg at the suggestion of managers in the early years."

"I've been very involved with the Jewish Home for the Aged in New York City, and I've spent a great deal of my time either being a friendly visitor or entertaining."

"There's something incredibly wonderful about volunteering. I'm very happy to be the free entertainment and bring some light into people's eyes. I hope I have that opportunity in Detroit."