By Darrell Kirby | [email protected]

The popular 1980’s musical-dance film “Footloose” will step onto the stage as a live play at West Valley City’s Harman Theatre March 12-28. 

“We want everyone to come and enjoy it, especially those who used to come to this building when it was Hale Centre Theatre. We want people to come and enjoy this space as a theater again,” said Melanie Budge, development, marketing, and communications manager for West Valley Arts, which is producing the play. That nonprofit organization is part of the city’s Division of Arts and Culture. 

“Footloose” is based on a true story first made popular in the 1984 movie of the same name.  City kid Ren McCormack moves to a small town where dancing and rock-and-roll were outlawed thanks in part to an influential conservative reverend in town, Shaw Moore, who thought dancing and music only led to bad things among teenagers. With help from a friend and the minister’s not-so-conservative daughter, Ariel, whom Ren ends up falling for, Ren leads the charge to get the ban removed. 

The cast is led by Brock Dalgleish as Ren McCormack, Lauren Von Forrell as Ariel Moore, Rex Kocherhans as Rev. Shaw Moore, and Dianna Graham as Vi Moore, the reverend’s wife and Ariel’s mother. The actors were largely assembled from auditions advertised through local high schools and colleges. 

“We were blown away by the talent at auditions and couldn’t be happier with the cast we have. They are working extremely hard and it will show on opening night,” said director Jeanne McGuire.

An added treat to the production is that the music is played by a live six-piece band, not prerecorded.

Performances are each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. 

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youths ages 5 through 12 (kids under 5 are not permitted). They can be purchased at harmantheatre.org or wvcarts.org. 

It is the first play this year at the city-owned theater. “Arsenic and Lace” is scheduled for this fall. West Valley Arts is putting together an even busier schedule of performances for 2021.

Harman Theatre is at 3333 S. Decker Lake Dr.