Footloose comes to Grace March 20, 21, 23

One thing that has always been interesting to me about Footloose - a movie that I watched on VHS tape as a kid because my friend’s older sister wanted to rewind some of the Kevin Bacon scenes over and over again - is that it is simultaneously the most timeless, AND the most 80s movie ever. 

The sets and costumes are as American as they are fun.

It’s got everything, right?  Small town versus city.  Country kids vs City slickers.  Age vs youth.  The pulpit vs the dancefloor.  Kevin Bacon vs John Lithgow.  The classic antagonisms.  

And not only is it still an enjoyable story in 2026, but the points it makes are just as relevant as ever.  In fact, the students at Grace High School make a great case for the timelessness of the script, and do a great job of capturing the politely rebellious, exuberant dance-fever of the source material. 

Ren initially finds it hard to fit in in Beaumont, Texas

 As is usually the case with the plays from GHS I’ve been lucky enough to watch, the acting skill on display is fantastic.  These kids have a lot of energy, character, and skill.  As Ren, Axel Hubbard cultivates the right mix of dry humor and self-assurance that you can’t spell Kevin Bacon without.  In a play where acting, dancing, and singing are all important it can be difficult to be equally strong in those areas, but Hubbard, along with the other leads in the musical, manage to do just that.

Bailey Mickelson is the engine of the musical as Ariel, and plays extremely well off both Hubbard’s Ren and Landry Crane’s Chuck Cranston.  All of the roles are well-cast, and the while it can sometimes be hard to “buy” kids of the same age playing a full range of fictional ages, the cast soon locks into their in-universe ages in a way to sell the effect.

The staging is clever, and uses the space well to capture some of the exterior scenes.  Costuming is on point, and on the playful side. 

Dancing is no small part of the play.

Along with the on-stage production elements, the choreography is quite well done, and keeps action clear in the larger numbers, while allowing for some improvisation throughout and focused blocking on the smaller scenes. 

The songs are pure 80s, for the most part.  It’s no surprise that they are infectious—the Footloose soundtrack is still one of the bestselling movie soundtracks of its era, and came right in the middle of Kenny Loggins’ unmatched string of soundtrack bangers, which includes “I’m All Right” (Caddyshack), “Footloose,” “Danger Zone” (Top Gun), and “Meet Me Halfway” (Over the Top).    

Performances begin March 20 at the Gem Valley Arts Center in Grace at 7:00 p.m.

The musical walks something of a line between comic and serious, but there are a lot of laugh lines, to be sure.

 The play is directed by GHS’ Eli Hubbard, along with Velvet Hubbard.  Behind the scenes production help is provided by Della Hubbard, Lila Christensen, Jaden Smith, Wade Smith, and Paden Lester.  A full cast list is as follows—(role) actor: (Ren) Axel Hubbard, (Ariel) Bailey Mickleson, (Reverend Shaw) Brock Johnson, (Vi Moore) Lexi Coburn, (Rusty) Tyelor Turner, (Willard Hewitt) Wilson Robbins, 

(Ethel McCormack) Adeline Clark, (Chuck Crantson) Landry Crane, (Lyle) Case Williams, (Travis) Parker Yost, (Urleen) Kylie Humphreys, (Wendy Jo) Josie Fox,

(Lulu Warnicker) Blayr Peterson, (Wes Warnicker) Jax Corbett, (Coach Dunbar/Cowboy Bob) Carter Robinson, (Eleanor Dunbar) Charly Ambrosek, (Principal Clark) AJ Mejia,

(Betty Blast) Daisy Mejia, (Jeter) Collin Draper, (Bickle) Hurley Hardy, (Garvin) Treyson King,

(Cop) Sawyer Andreason.  Town Council: Naomi Crofts, Clayton Hamilton, CJ Newby.

Parents/ High School Student ensemble: Sawyer Andreason, Clayton Hamilton, Paden Lester, Christian, Hyrum Smith, Holland Ball, Gage Brower, Grady Hubbard, Hayley Partain, Naomi Crofts, Emma Andreason, Brynlee Hubbard, Presley Judd, Paizlee Hatch, Bailey Stoddard, Ashlyn Welch, Malakii Foster, Bradley Schiele, Cort Spencer, Logan Packer,  Alyssa Kendall,
CJ Newby.