REVIEW: THE PROM

BY RYAN M. LUEVANO

The national tour of the 2019 Drama Desk Award winner for Outstanding Musical The Prom is now playing at the Ahmanson Theatre. The musical takes the familiar notion of a school dance, adds a touching tale of acceptance, then wraps it in a glitzy musical theater bow. It brings new life into the genre of “musical comedy” that harkens back to the golden age of musical theatre.

The show’s plot is centered on a group of Broadway actors who to invigorate their careers travel to the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana, to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to prom. It’s a showbiz show with substance. What’s brilliant about the musical is how it uses the conventions of genre (musical comedy in this case) to its advantage to tell an important contemporary story. 

Book writers Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin are smart storytellers. They managed to write a musical comedy with a vital message without stooping into preachy territory.  From the onset we meet our classic musical comedy character types: the delusional diva, the fearless older (gay) actor from yesteryear, the handsome dopey actor, and the sexy chorus girl. The vaudevillian opening number “Changing Lives” takes us into the showbiz world of these character and sets them off on their adventure. 

Soon this world collides with the more contemporary characters in Indiana. We meet our protagonist Emma and the clear antagonist Mrs. Greene, head of the PTA. It is the mixing of these two worlds that make The Prom so satisfying. The score by Matthew Sklar is a blend of classic musical theatre flavors in the style of The Pajama Game, She Loves Me, On the Twentieth Century and modern sounds of Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal in the high school scenes. 

The direction by Casey Nicholaw keeps the show moving at a steady click—we move effortlessly from scene to scene. The choreography also by Nicholaw is a captivating blend of Broadway razzmatazz and exciting pop dance moves. The high-energy dance numbers are perfectly build for the cast—they are loving every step. The costumes by Ann Roth and Matthew Pachtman add so much to the look of the show. Bright tuxedo jackets, shimmering dresses and whimsical fabrics takes us to the most fashion forward prom ever. 

Courtney Balan channels her inner Patti LuPone as the brash Dee Dee Allen. Not only is her comedic delivery impeccable, the singing in all her numbers is a treat not to be missed—“The Lady’s Improving” is one of the most satisfying moments in the show. Patrick Wetzel is another standout comedic performer whose portal of the gay bitchy Barry Glickman is riveting always veering away from caricature. Wetzel knows how to ham it up in the best possible way and what’s more the man can sing and dance. Kaden Kearney as Emma offers a complementary grounded and sincere performance complete with a dramatic voice that soars in “Just Breathe” and “Dance with You.” The large ensemble too adds so much to the presentation. Their energy is always locked in at 110%.  

Prom season has come early this year and there’s never been a better time to put on a snazzy outfit, get your hair done, and put on your dancing shoes to go to The Prom.     

MORE INFORMATION:

Tickets for “The Prom” are currently on sale and start at $35.

They are available through CenterTheatreGroup.org, Audience Services at (213) 972-4400 or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Offices (at the Ahmanson Theatre) at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

Performances run Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.