‘The Prom’ – Music and Lyrics by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. Book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin. Directed by Paul Daigneault. Music Direction by Paul S. Katz. Choreography by Taavon Gamble. Scenic Design by Jenna McFarland Lord. Costume Design by Miranda Kau Giurleo. Lighting Design by Karen Perlow. Sound Design by Andrew Duncan Will. Presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company at the Calderwood/ Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, Boston through June 10, 2023.
by Linda Chin
Though their Broadway show closed on opening night and the critics wrote them off as “aging narcissists,” co-stars Dee Dee Allen (a dee-lightful Mary Callanan), and Barry Glickman (an effervescent Johnny Kuntz) are determined to stay in the limelight. Joined by fellow #wasOnBroadwaynowOff actors Angie Dickinson (a zazzy Lisa Yuen) and Julliard alum Trent Oliver (a hilarious Jared Troilo), the group decides to become “celebrity activists,” who selflessly support a cause, and are “the kind of stars the press adores.” With publicist Sheldon (a charismatic Meagan Lewis Michelson) along for the adventure, the five “liberal democrats from Broadway” head to Indiana to help a teenager whose story is trending on Twitter: “a girl who wanted to take her girlfriend to the high school prom and the PTA went apeshit.”
Trouble (with a capital T) ensues when the thespians arrive to “save the lesbians.” PTA Head Mrs. Greene (a deliciously villainous Amy Barker) claims to be heartbroken about canceling the prom – she would have preferred banning the student, or same-sex couple, from the event – but heeded the advice that there might be legal repercussions. Fortunately, Principal Hawkins (a poignant Anthony Pires, Jr.) manages angry students and parents, relentless reporters, and parking lot riots with ease and leads with empathy. He helps student Emma Nolan deal with unwanted media attention and harassment as well as unaccepting family and community members.
Local actor Liesie Kelly, who studies musical theater at Boston Conservatory, makes a stunning SpeakEasy debut as Emma. The lovely-voiced Kelly’s solos soar, and their duet ‘Dance with You’ with Abriel Coleman, who plays Emma’s closeted girlfriend Alyssa Greene (and is the PTA Head’s daughter) is dreamy. To their credit (and also to Paul Daigneault’s directing prowess), Kelly also rises to the high acting bar set by the professional actors in the company. Angie helps Emma’s confidence grow with a Fosse tutorial (‘Zazz’), jazz hands and all. Hawkins works with the State’s attorney to hold an inclusive prom. And in a heartwarming scene with Barry, Emma (who has broken things off with Alyssa) asks him to go. Barry reveals that he never went to his own because he was too scared to ask a boy, and excitedly accepts.
After promposals, the biggest question on high school seniors’ minds is “What are you going to wear?” With experience with high school proms (my kids’ proms, not my own) and musical theater (my kids and my own), I can attest that at SpeakEasy’s Prom, the sparkly promsembles absolutely shine. And I’m not referring just to the fabulous costumes, designed by Miranda Kau Giurleo, accentuated by Jenna McFarland Lord’s and Karen Perlow’s colorful set and lighting. The musical number ‘Barry is Going to Prom’ is a show-stopper, as is the glittery tux that has been in the closet for decades, and the older actors also get decked out.
It’s the promsemble of 8 performers who play high students, the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, monster truck event attendees, reporters, “back up” the leads, sing their hearts out and dance their faces off. The promsemble that makes musical numbers including ‘Changing Lives,’ ‘It’s Not About Me,” “The Acceptance Song,” and the finale, “It’s Time to Dance” pop, who execute the exciting choreography by Taavon Gamble. Special shoutouts to standout dancers Tori Heinlein (Kaylee, the main mean girl) and Victor Carrillo Tracey (dance captain), and creative team members Paul Katz (music director) and Andrew Duncan Will (sound design).
While a bunch of politically incorrect remarks (part of Barry’s character) and repetitive bits (Trent talks endlessly about himself and drops the name of his prestigious alma mater, Julliard, at every opportunity) made my interest wane and contributed to a (longer than necessary) run-time of two hours and twenty-five minutes (including a 15-minute intermission), The Prom is a fun romp and a cause for celebration. For tickets and information, go to: https://speakeasystage.com/shows/2023/05/the-prom/
