JACKSON DE LANGE as Ren and Leilani Munck as Ariel in “Foothoose” at the Gem Theater in Garden Grove (OMP).

By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune

The red boots mean trouble.
(The good kind.)

The Gem Theater, award-winning staple of the Garden Grove community, is currently presenting “Footloose”, a musical adaptation of the popular 80’s film. Directed and choreographed by guest director Nikki Snelson, the story revolves around Ren McCormack (Jackson De Lange), a new transplant to the rustic Bomont, Utah.

Having trouble adjusting to the small rural town after growing up in the busy metropolis of Chicago, Ren finds himself immediately flagged by the locals as a troublemaker, when all he’s doing is questioning the status quo. This immediately ensnares the attention of Ariel Moore (Leilani Munck), the local “bad girl” with the red boots, who’s also the daughter of the local pastor, Rev. Shaw Moore (Jason Guffey).

But while it might seem like Ariel simply has a taste for the bad boys, as evidenced by her current flame, the boorish Chuck Cranston (portrayed by the paradoxically affable Aaron Gibbs), it’s only because she feels smothered and is looking to escape the antiquated, one-horse town.

Meanwhile, Ren is just trying to acclimate at the local high school; but while he’s still the odd man out, he’s certainly making an impression with his rebellious attitude and carefree style. And while he crosses paths with the always-eager-to-brawl Willard (Luke Gilstrap), he avoids conflict and instead becomes fast friends with the simple local boy.

It doesn’t help that Willard is smitten with the rambunctious and sultry Rusty (Kendra Barnhart), who keeps trying to make her (blatantly obvious) feelings known… but each time sends the nervous young man fleeing.

But it’s when Ren starts to show some dance moves at school, that he is immediately shut down: it seems a local ordinance has forbidden dancing within the city limits – seeing it as a vice, up there with drugs and alcohol. Traumatized by the deaths of some local students driving home after a dance five years earlier, it led the pastor and townsfolk to lay the blame primarily on the dancing, and forbidding it.

So how are the local kids supposed to blow off steam?

Ariel reveals her own method – screaming out her frustrations at the top of her lungs into the wake of a speeding train just inches away. Ren himself tries, finding it a freeing, cathartic act. And while he could make a pass at her in this intimate moment, he’s instead a gentleman and tells her he’ll hold off for that first kiss.

The fuse has been lit, and it’s burning down to a confrontation between the town adults trying to control expression, and the determined young man voicing the stifled frustrations of the next generation, priming to explode. Are they ready?

Note to the regulars of the Gem: prepare yourself for a phenomenal caliber of new additions to the One More Productions roster. And while there are many tried and true veterans of the Gem such as Gibbs, Matthew Rangel, Kara Dillard and Mike Worley working their magic on stage (special shout outs to Kyle Hill as Coach Dunbar and Ezion Garcia as the colorful Cowboy Bob), there is also a dazzling array of deftly skilled newcomers to the venue.

There are some wondrous, amazing harmonies courtesy of the triune of Kendra Barnhart as Rusty, Alanna Armelin as Urleen and Rezia Landers as Wendy Jo: their stunning rendition of “Somebody’s Eyes” (about the local gossips judging others) and energetic performance with Munck’s Ariel of “Holding Out For A Hero” cement their status as scintillating new additions to the theater.

The goofy flirtation between Rusty and Gilstrap’s Willard is genuinely hysterical, particularly when she’s obviously vamping for him and he still can’t see it. His comedic timing and delivery are excellent, and he does an incredibly fun job with the song “Mama Says.”

But the pair of leads? Breathtaking.

De Lange brings a casual, natural charisma and immense vocal and acting talents to the role of Ren: and rather than being a troublemaker, viewers can see the depth of emotion in the inadvertent outcast, clearly displaying his emotional wounds, still raw and bitter. (It makes an excellent parallel with the Reverend Moore and the town being unable to heal, but Ren able to vocalize his pain, when the townsfolk cannot.)

Munck is absolutely electric. Her extraordinary poise, presence and attitude make her Ariel spellbinding. The chemistry between the pair is undeniable, for she, too, is a rebel in her own way. Her defiance is not as much about a taste for the “bad boys” rather than being an intelligent woman looking for an outlet, an equal – a way out of the town, and into the world.
Therein lies one of the deepest themes of “Footloose”, besides working through pain: the loss of agency of the women in this community.

Arguably the most powerful song in this production may be “Learning To Be Silent”, with a triad of Munck’s Ariel, Nicole Barnhart’s Vi Moore and Jennifer Harmon’s Ethel McCormack, with the mothers and daughter weaving a moving harmony about the women of the town having to restrain themselves in this conservative community; and how the town looks down on those who express themselves or are forward, rather than reserved.

It’s an intriguing mirror to an ongoing struggle between the sexes that won’t be resolved any time soon. And yet, even while tackling these deeper emotional wounds, the production finds the perfect balance and never loses its infectious joy.

It’s a fun, energetic and engrossing rendition of an 80’s classic (but with better choreography): “Footloose” at the Gem is a marvel and a must-see. It’s running through July 12, so put on your red boots and get down there!

“Footloose”: Jackson De Lange, Leilani Munck and Kendra Barnhart star in this stellar musical adaptation of the popular film. Playing through July 12 at The Gem Theater 12852 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA, 92840. Call 714-741-9550 x221 or email boxoffice@onemoreproductions.com for ticketing information. Appropriate for all ages.