Review: Uptown Players' The Prom is poignant and on point!

The Prom

Based on the book written by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin

Lyrics by Chad Beguelin

Music by Matthew Skla

Directed by Penny Ayn Maas

Music Direction by Vonda K. Bowling

Choreography by Evor Wright

Produced by Uptown Players

Audience Rating: PG mild language and adult situations

Run Time: 2 hours 20 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission

Accessible Seating: Available 

Hearing Devices: Not Available, ASL Performance July 14

Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available

Production Sound Level: Comfortable Volume 

Noises or Visuals to Prepare For: None of Note

Reviewed by Jenny Wood 

Inspired by a true story, The Prom tells a tale as old as time – a quartet of self-proclaimed narcissistic actors in need of some good press descend upon a small town in Indiana to save the lone lesbian from oppression.

Uptown Players presents the regional premier of the musical, inspired by a 2010 incident wherein a Mississippi school board canceled prom to prevent a student, Constance McMillan from bringing her girlfriend as her date. 

After the ACLU intervened, a district sanctioned prom was held – but only attended by a handful of students because local parents held a second, secret separate prom for the rest of the students at a separate location. 

But the press did find out, and Celebrities rallied, and the very real result was the Second Chance Prom, a project of the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition.

 

The Prom is a bright pageant of this story, and with book and lyrics from Bob Martin of The Drowsy Chaperone and Chad Beguelin of The Wedding Singer it is unquestionably funny. 

The humor pulls no punches - the opening number depicts our core group of celebrities - aging co-stars Dee Dee (Cara Statham Serber) and Barry (BJ Cleveland), eternal chorus girl Angie (Erin Bowman), and former sitcom star Trent Oliver (Trey Tolleson) – articulating their own best and worst attributes then concocting a plan with publicist Sheldon (Jason Robert Villarreal) to change their public image.  

We then cut to another expository number introducing the central highschooler, Emma, played with sweet authenticity by Maya Michalski.

These two numbers establish the cadence of the show – big bold numbers sprinkled with traditional Broadway Easter eggs alternating with pop-ier, often bittersweet, modern numbers. 

The pace is quick, and the ensemble cast is very strong both vocally and in execution of Evor Wright’s choreography. 

Act 2 brings a series of poignant vignettes, handled deftly by the principle performers – the company’s emphasis is clearly on spotlighting the issues at hand, and all involved avoid the trap of heavy handed spectacle.

 

David Lugo as high school principal Tom Hopkins is charming in his pursuit of Dee Dee. Julia Rose Hartman’s conservative PTA President Mrs. Greene is somehow both hateable and relatable. 

Where the production is most successful, though, is in its ability to maintain the delicate blend of commentary and celebration in a tone that feels very true to the issues addressed. 

The Prom continues through July 28, UptownPlayers.org for Tickets.

Cheers!

Jenny