Review by Neal Newman
May 26, 2024
The Sunday afternoon performance of THE PROM at Steel River Playhouse was a smash. The audience howled with laughter and joy as the production, directed by David Williams, scored success after success with design, music, choreography, and performances. And it’s terrifically written musically as well.
THE PROM is based on the true story of a Mississippi teenager who informed her high school authorities that her prom date would be another girl and she would dress in a tuxedo. The horrified officials then canceled the prom rather than face any legal compilations. The bookwriters for the musical (Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin) took this idea and added a little showbiz pizzaz.
This plot now brings the New Yorkers in collision with the local natives, whom they refer to as “rednecks” and “hicks.” Then, they meet the two teenage lesbians, Emma and Alyssa, who are outcasts by the townspeople, except for the kindly high school principal,
THE PROM opens at Sardi’s with the opening of a flop musical. Dee Dee is a two-time Tony Award winner on the Downward Skids. Like a typical diva., she believes the world revolves around her and lacks empathy for anyone else. Her costar, Barry, is the typical outré theater gay with the same misconceptions. They are joined by Trent, a waiter who believes his Julliard credentials prove he is a great actor though he has a tendency always to act. Also, there is Angie, a newly unemployed chorus girl. These enormously self-involved narcissists decide to revive their careers by doing a good deed for society (and themselves.) So off they go to Indiana, where the local prom has been canceled.
Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin’s book is one of the drollest ever. Like FORUM or MORMAN, every line seems to elicit honest laughter. Amazingly, this gives the characters unexpected depth and adds a profound poignancy. This is difficult to achieve, but remember that Bob Martin co-created and co-wrote the most outstanding theatrical narcissism/pain work, the beloved mini-series SLINGS AND ARROWS.
Matthew Sklar’s varied composing is up to the comic genius of the book, with upbeat anthems praising the theater and tender ballads for the “hicks.” In this short excerpt, Dee Dee explains that her visit to a red state is purely selfless:
I wanna tell the people of
Whatever this town’s now called
I know what’s going on
And frankly, I’m appalled.
Stealing the rights of a girl
I Who is an LGBQ-Teen
I’ve been far too angry to google what those letters mean.
Yes, it’s that funny!
One of the outstanding achievements of David Williams’ direction is how the performers divide the red and blue states: the teen heroines (Edwina Vargas and Naysa Felix) and their principal (Adam Dienner). sing and act with quiet honesty, in contrast to the New Yorkers who will chew any stage anywhere. Donna Dougherty’s Dee Dee nails every comic bit and somehow wins the audience’s heart. Trent (Tyler Macready) and Angie (Alyssa Dienner) mine every nugget of gold in their roles, while Hunter Chandeayne is a first-rate Barry. But I have one suggestion for Barry: hold back on your marvelous energy in the first act. Then, when you have the eleven o’clock number “Barry Goes To Prom”, pull out all the stops and surprise the audience when they discover you have so much more to give. All community theaters should consider THE PROM. There’s an excellent script, great music, and many memorable smaller roles, all superbly cast here.
Barbara Newberry conducts the “hot” orchestra with excellent singing throughout, credited to musical director Jake Leonowitz. Scenic and lighting designer Dakota Adams gives the show all the needed theatrical energy, variety, and tenderness, even though the script demands more settings than a small theater can comfortably provide.
Special kudos to customer Teal Knight and Choreographer Amanda Morrell. Their work together approaches memorable with the worst possible “let your freak flag fly” rendition of GODSPELL” ever. That’s a compliment. The theatrical coup comes with the two proms. The first, at the end of the first act, reveals the town’s clunky bad taste, with the worst costumes and dance imaginable. It’s no spoiler to reveal they reverse it in Act Two. Morrell’s dances show the influence of Fosse (Zazz), GODSPELL, and pure musical theater (Love Thy Neighbor). Knight’s costumes include the Indiana Christian majority, the suburban teenagers, and the glitz expected of good old New York..
Steel River has powerfully contributed to the community with this production. We are a swing state and more polarized than ever before. Everyone is a little bit intolerant. The performance reminds me of Charles Ludlam, who asked why there were so many “straights” at his high-camp productions. His answer was, “We are all united by laughter.”
THE PROM runs through June 9,” at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA. Tickets can be obtained at www.steelriver.org or by calling 610-970-1199.