It’s Time to Dance!

The Prom

A lot of praise has to be heaped upon this glitzy, glittery musical with a heart. It’s a show that’ll put a huge smile on every theatergoer’s face within the first few moments. And then, except during a couple of tender, heartfelt scenes that may evoke a few tears, this musical is guaranteed to extend that smile into laugh-out-loud joy. THE PROM is so incredibly jubilant, upbeat and full of love that theatergoers will never want it to end. THE PROM offers a story ripped from today’s headlines, all tricked out with a memorable score of toe-tapping songs and beautifully executed choreography. This production is performed by a gifted company of triple threats who seem so realistic and likable that you’ll just want to take them home with you. And as the entire cast sings with joyful abandon, “It’s Time to Dance!”

The musical is inspired by a true event that took place a few years ago in Mississippi. Constance was a gay high school student who simply wanted to take her girlfriend to the high school prom. She’d planned to wear a tuxedo and make it a memorable, romantic evening for both of them. However, when the school board heard about this, they banned Constance from attending the dance. The teenager challenged the school board’s decision, so they responded by cancelling the senior prom entirely. When the ACLU supported Constance and the school was threatened with a lawsuit, the prom was grudgingly reinstated. However, only seven students attended this dance because a group of parents decided to hold another secret prom for their kids in a private location. This hurtful, discriminatory act inspired a barrage of retaliation by several celebrities, creating a world-wide controversy over conservative America’s homophobia and the importance of LGBT+ rights.

Talented playwright and witty wordsmith Bob Martin (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE,  ELF, THE MUSICAL) teamed up with his ELF libretto and lyric co-writer, Chad Beguelin (ALADDIN), and composer and vocal arranger, Matthew Sklar (THE WEDDING SINGER) to transform this newsworthy incident into a meaningful musical comedy about everyone’s right to be himself. Well, this is a show whose time has come and it should be seen, heard and enjoyed by everyone. 

The story primarily takes place in a tiny, conservative Indiana town called Edgewater, but first it opens in New York City. There we find ourselves among a throng actors at Sardi’s, all waiting for the opening night reviews of a show called “Eleanor!” However, this new musical about the Roosevelts is immediately declared a flop, much to the chagrin of its two stars. Dee Dee Allen, portrayed by the marvelous belter, Christine Pfenninger, and her irrepressible and flamboyant gay friend and costar, Barry Glickman, played with over-the-top manic glee by the wonderful Robin Trevino, discover the bitter truth. It seems that everyone on Broadway dislikes these two actors because they’re considered egocentric and self-absorbed narcissists. 

The two actors are joined by their producer, Sheldon Saperstein (a wildly effervescent Corey Mills), aging Fosse chorine, Angie Dickinson (the fabulous Jessica Means) and Trent Oliver, a handsome, but needy, young Juilliard graduate and New York actor, famous for a popular TV sitcom. He’s played with boundless optimism and self-confidence by the effervescent Elijah Warfield. Together this band of Broadway brothers and sisters decide they must do something to change the public’s jaded view of who they are inside.

After scouring the internet for an important cause they can support, the group runs across Emma, a lesbian high school student who’s been banned from her senior prom because she’s gay. The five actors decide that this is a cause celebre they can all get behind. Banding together, they hitch a bus ride to Indiana with Trent’s non-Equity cast of “Godspell.”. Once there, the Thespians attempt to use their celebrity status, money, star power and New York chutzpa to help Emma attend the prom. It’s not as easy as they imagine.

Brilliantly Directed by Lauren Katz, this show dazzles and delights from the very first notes of the overture, conducted by Music Director, Ken Preuss, and played with sparkle by his large, pit orchestra. The production’s excellent Choreography comes courtesy of talented Dominique Ruffalo. The production is decked out in an array of colorful and glitzy Costumes, all designed by Ray Mindas and Martha Shuford. A versatile Scenic Design comes from the imagination of Eric Luchen, with a Lighting and Sound Design by Alec Kinastowski. Each of these artists add a lot to this production.

As Emma, lovely Hannah Kipp is charming and charismatic with a trained singing voice. She’s so likable and engaging that you can’t help hoping she’ll achieve everything that life has to offer. And that includes winning over her girlfriend, Alyssa. Chloe Hayes tenderly plays the shy teenager who’s frightened to just be herself with her own mother (played by the superb actor/singer, Abigail Adjei-Perberg as Mrs. Greene, the narrow-minded PTA President). Alyssa is forced to walk both sides of the fence, in order to both fit in with her high school peers and satisfy her mother’s many expectations. She and Ms. Kipp are both so likable that their honest chemistry will keep the audience pulling for their happiness.

Drew Longo does a wonderful job as Mr. Hawkins, the school principal. An empathetic leader and gifted instructor, this socially conscious educator works tirelessly to help Emma and Alyssa in their cause. While the starstruck principal fawns over  Broadway actress DeeDee Allen, he can’t help charm and change the self-obsessed diva. And the cast of triple threats, who make up the ensemble, fool us into thinking that every chorus and exciting production number is easy. The performers are all terrific and talented, with each having his own individual moment to shine, but together blending into a talented powerhouse.

The score for this show is full of wonderful songs. The actors assembled at Sardi’s open the show, boasting in song about how playing Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt is truly about “Changing Lives.” But they’ll soon discover there’s a lot more to making a difference than appearing in a musical. Emma sings a moving ode to her own strength and courage entitled “Just Breathe;” and later Alyssa sings a gorgeous, heartfelt biographical ballad called “Alyssa Greene.” Later, Emma leads the ensemble in her beautiful original song, “Unruly Heart,” which immediately becomes a viral sensation. The song turns into an anthem on the internet for anyone who feels unseen. And then together the two young lovers treat us to the touching romantic duet, “You Happened.”

The more rousing numbers, such as “Dance With You,” “Tonight Belongs to You” and “It’s Time to Dance” are the real heartbeat of this musical. Angie and Emma pair up to show us their jazz hands and Fosse moves in “Zazz.” Dee Dee transforms into an entirely new person as she belts out “The Lady’s Improving.” Trent inspires the high schoolers to consider their bigotry and prejudice against the LGBT+ community with the brisk and buoyant “Love Thy Neighbor.” And Barry Glickman finally gets to fulfill his lifelong dream with his fabulous 11th hour number, “Barry Is Going to Prom.”

It’s a shame that this sensational musical hasn’t been produced by any of the larger professional Chicago theaters. Especially during an election year, this is a story that needs to be shared with everyone, both the young and the young-at-heart. It can open the eyes of the uninformed or offer a catharsis for those whose lives have been hurt by small-minded individuals who hurt others to make themselves feel important. Unfortunately this story keeps playing out in real life because people never seem to change. Hopefully, after seeing this professionally polished production, more folks will empathize, adjust their attitudes and finally understand. 

In the meantime, theatergoers should don their snazzy prom duds, get a nice corsage for their best guy or girl and indulge in a world where anything can happen. Listen to the bouncy, pulsating pop-rock score; and then strap on your sparkling party kicks because “It’s Time to Dance!”

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 15-25 by the Highland Park Players at the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center, 1100 Laramie Ave.,
Wilmette, IL.

Tickets are available at the door or by going to www.highlandparkplayers.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.