You can experience a bit of Broadway on Saturday, April 11, at 8pm, when Footloose The Musical appears on the Palace Theatre in downtown Marion.

Palace Executive Director Elaine Merchant encourages area residents to enjoy Broadway entertainment right here in Marion.

“This production is a great opportunity for those who wish they could make it to a Broadway show but haven’t yet," explained Palace Executive Director Elaine Merchant. "They’ll get that same great encounter but without all the expense of a trip to the City.”

Merchant offered patrons a sneak peek of this high-energy production through a video clip on the Palace website (www.marionpalace.org).

The Footloose phenomenon began in the 1980’s when Kevin Bacon, in a pair of worn out jeans and a t-shirt, stepped onto the big screen and danced his way into the hearts of women and teenage girls. The dance movie became a classic along with films such as Flashdance, Grease, and Dirty Dancing.

Footloose The Musical brings that same music and those unforgettable moves from the film to theatre audiences across the states. It is now in a 10th Anniversary Tour and is better than ever.

This exuberant, fast-paced musical has audiences across the country singing along and dancing in the aisles. The music is contagious and includes Solid Gold hits like “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” “Almost Paradise,” “Holding Out For A Hero,” “I’m Free (Heaven Help the Man),” and the title song, “Footloose.”

The musical tells the tale of Ren and his mother moving from the slick and fast-paced city of Chicago to a small farming town. The teenaged Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school but not for the rigorous local laws; including a ban on dancing. The ban is the brainchild of a preacher determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home over his rebellious daughter.

With the uptight locals eager to believe the worst about him and strongly enforce the dancing ban, Ren, along with the preacher’s daughter and some new found friends who just want to have a prom and a little fun, vigorously challenges the crazy edict.

Footloose the Musical has all the elements of a great production – it’s got the music, it’s got the heart, and it’s got everyone dancing again.

Tickets are $27, $32, $37, and $42. Patrons may purchase them at the box office at 270 W. Center St. in downtown Marion or by calling 740/383-2101 to charge by phone. Box office hours are 9:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday, 9:00am-noon Saturday, and closed Sunday. Tickets are also available online at www.marionpalace.org. Please note this performance uses haze, fog, and strobe lights.

Marion General Hospital sponsors this event.