“The Prom”

[rating=4]”The Prom” opened at a time it NEEDED to be available, but then Covid hit and the theaters closed down. This is a high energy spirited story that we have needed so that America can see just how ancient their views are on LGBTQ issues. When the theaters closed down, Netflix took over and most of our lives were at home watching TV specials, series and films. “The Prom” was one of the highlights, if one can call anything during a pandemic a “highlight”. The film was star-studded and opened up some eyes. We all know that there is no way to reach everyone, but each time we change one person’s attitude, we move forward.

Chicago was chosen as a key to the Broadway Tour , but since they could only get one week of availability, this is a very short run,

If you are unfamiliar with the story, it takes place in a small town in Indiana, called Edgewater. FYI- the play is based on an actual event that took place in 2010. Constance McMillen, a high school senior in Mississippi, a lesbian, planned on bringing her girlfriend to the prom, She also said she would wear a tuxedo (a boy’s traditional garment for this event) and the school board banned her from attending. After a publicized challenge, the board decided rather than fight and make world headlines, it would be easier to cancel the event.

McMillan and the ACLU sued the school district and a federal court found that her First Amendment rights had been violated. The judge did not force the issue and let the cancelled prom stand. The board did allow for a prom to take place, but an abbreviated one with only 7 students attending.

Meanwhile, some celebrities saw this as an opportunity to get their names in the press so that they would be noticed and with social media assistance were able to have a “second chance” prom and have the memories that we are all entitled to. That is the story, except in the stage version ( compared to the real situation), the “Prom” that Emma ( Kaden Kearney is dynamite in this role) went to was just Emma and her Broadway “helpers”.

One must understand that what the Broadway “helpers” were doing was more for them, than for Emma. As the story progresses, these people Barry ( the hysterical Patrick Wetzel), Dee Dee Aller ( played to perfection by Courtney Balan )Trent ( Bud Weber ) and Angie (the seductive Emily Borromeo) who had made the trip to Indiana in hopes of  getting their careers back, find themselves truly caring about the issue and the teen lesbian whose prom has been spoiled. The other major roles are Kalyn West as Alyssa ( Emma’s girlfriend),Sinclair Mitchell as Mr. Hawkins the school principal, Shavey Brown as Sheldon Saperstein and Ashanti J’Aria as Mrs. Greene.

This is a powerful story with a book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin), music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin that takes us into a world that many are unfamiliar with, including the power of social media which Emma uses to show the world her story.

The cast is energetic with some great dances choreographed by Director Casey Nicholaw. Most of you know that I say the ensemble is a key to a musical production. This one proves that point with many of them playing all types of roles and I do have to say that whoever is helping with costume changes, you are amazing!!!. The ensemble members Thad Turner Wilson, Josh Zacker, Brittany Nicole Williams, Laxie Plath, Adriana Negron, Christopher McCrewell, Brandon J. Large, Braden Allen King, Chloe Rae Plath, Marie Gutierrez, Megan Grosso, James Caleb Grice, Jordan DeLeon, Maurice Dawkins, Olivia Cece, Ashley Bruse  Gabriells Beckford and Jordan Alexander.

This is a road company so the sets are much simpler (Scott Pask) so that it can move from town to town and adapt to each stage. All in all, this is a slick production that may just open your eyes to our world today.

During Covid many of us watched the Netflix version with a star studded cast of actors and of course a film can be edited and shot over and over. This is live! This is what theater ought to be! This is entertainment.

“The Prom” will continue at The Cadillac Palace Theatre, located at 151 West Randolph Street thru April 24th.

Performances as as follows: