If you’re a fan of the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic Footloose, chances are the soundtrack has been

stuck in your head for decades. One familiar lyric is enough to transport you back to the fictional

town of Bomont, where teenager Ren McCormack moves from Chicago and struggles to find his

place.

As he grieves the loss of his father through divorce, Rev. Shaw Moore—Bomont’s spiritual

leader—grapples with the grief of losing his son in a car accident. These emotional wounds set the stage for a compelling cultural clash.

Hale Centre Theatre’s stage adaptation of Footloose delivers all the nostalgia, minus the outdoor

Utah County filming locations. In the Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday cast, Ren Cottam stars as Ren,

with Kersey Whitney as Ariel Moore, daughter of Rev. Moore (played by John Rex Kochkerhans).

Supporting roles are filled out with strong performances by Teaira Burge (Vi Moore), Weston Wright (Willard), Rachel Martorana (Rusty), and Melody Baugh (Ethel McCormack). Under Dave Tinney’s direction, the production tackles themes of grief, freedom, and generational tension with heart and energy.

As always, Hale Centre’s production quality shines. The dynamic set design—with pieces that rise

and fall around the center stage—is impressive, and the live music brings the show to life. The décor, including a whimsical collection of tennis shoes, adds charm to the experience.

The choreography is tight and energetic, particularly notable given the size of the cast and the stage. While some new musical numbers were added for the stage version, many fan favorites remain. Highlights include “Holding Out for a Hero,” a vibrant “I’m Free” basketball sequence, and of course, the iconic “Let’s Hear It For the Boy” and title track “Footloose.”

Cottam and Whitney are well-cast as the leads, with Whitney’s vocals especially standing out. Burge and Baugh bring gravitas and warmth to their roles, while Wright and Martorana add humor and heart. Kochkerhans is commanding and ultimately compassionate as Rev. Moore, grounding the story’s emotional core.

Footloose runs Mondays through Saturdays at Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy (9900 Monroe

Street)through August 30. It’s a spirited, feel-good production that honors the original while carving out its own space on stage.