The Prom
My thoughts on The Prom or…no wallflowers allowed.
Sometimes a musical is so joyous, such giddy fun, so life affirming that it leaves you with the feeling that all will be right with the world. The Uptown Players production of The Prom, directed with heart and humor by Penny Ayn Maas, and with a delicious pop score delivered deliciously by Music Director Vonda Kay Bowling and the orchestra, is just such a musical. There’s an emotional connection here between the performers and the audience that is thrilling, heart tugging, and just plain dazzling.
Four down on their luck Broadway stars are looking for a “cause celebre” to give their careers a boost. They decide to travel to a small Indiana town where a young woman named Emma is being prevented by the homophobic PTA from attending the prom with her girlfriend. The stars, hoping to create publicity for themselves, vow to give Emma the prom she deserves. Sort of “To Wong Foo” sans the drag meets “Harper Valley,” but about ten times the fun as cultures and beliefs clash with great songs and incredible dancing from Choreographer Evor, whose teenage ensemble is dynamite, especially a young man named Henry Cawood who has all the right moves as Nick.
Maya Michalski is the central character of Emma Nolan. She’s the smart, reticent. loner type. She doesn’t want to make waves. She just wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend Alyssa. Michalski, with her angelic, plaintive voice is a wonderful Emma who engages the audience from her first appearance on stage and never lets us go. She’s a pleasure to watch whether interacting with the zany Broadway group or sharing sad, tender, or celebratory moments with Alyssa. The charming Presley Duyck, always a vocal standout and uncanny as an 18-year-old teenage cheerleader, is Alyssa, a closeted young woman living with her strict, vocally anti-gay PTA president mom played with almost scary ferocity by Julia Rose Hartman.
It’s the Broadway foursome who provide the lion’s share of laughs and sometimes a sweet sadness to The Prom. Dee Dee Allen is the twice Tony winning (She carries them in her purse) egotistical diva of the group. The incredible Cara Statham Serber is so totally absorbed in this role that I never saw a glimpse of her. Donning that great wig, Serber simply is Dee Dee Allen. It’s a comic and vocal powerhouse of a performance. She sings a song called “The Lady’s Improving” but this lady in this part is perfect already. I especially enjoyed the growing romance between Serber’s diva and school principal Tom Hawkins played by the always stellar David Lugo. You can’t blame Dee Dee for falling for the principal…I mean who wouldn’t fall in love with the dapper, honey voiced David Lugo?
Speaking of love, if you don’t already love DFW Superstar B. J. Cleveland, you will after you see him as Barry Glickman. Barry is a gay, flamboyant actor with a campy sense of humor, but inside he is still a lonely little boy who never went to his own prom. He bonds with Emma and is thrilled when she asks him to be her prom date. Cleveland, master actor and comedian that he is, takes us from laughter to tears in “Barry’s Going to Prom,” as Barry’s dream comes true twenty plus years later. Keep your eyes on “every little move” Barry makes as he is yet another Cleveland triumph. B.J. Cleveland is our Nathan Lane. Lucky us.
Trey Tolleson is the proud Julliard graduate and struggling actor Trent Oliver. Trent is self-important and pretentious. However, he gives the town a lesson in love and acceptance with the rousing “Love Thy Neighbor.” I’ve been a fan of Tolleson and his phenomenal voice for a few years now, but this is the first time I have seen him in a character role. I am happy to report that his acting skills are on par with his voice. More, please.
Rounding out the fabulous foursome is Erin Bowman as Angie Dickinson. Angie is a frustrated actor/dancer who has been in the ensemble of the musical Chicago for years while yearning to play Roxie. Bowman gives off a Jane Krakowski vibe which is a good choice for this part. In one of the highlights of the show Angie helps boost Emma’s self-confidence by showing her some “Fossesque” dance steps. Bowman truly shines in this scene and in the role.
Also making the trek to Indiana with the fabulous foursome is their publicist, Sheldon Saperstein played by Jason Robert Villarreal. Sheldon is a “can do” sort of guy and works to get Emma publicity. He’s a fun, likeable character and Villarreal imbues him with wit and charm.
There are several small roles that are pivotal to the plot and played extremely well by the talented cast. Audrey Beyersdorfer is Kaylee, Sophie D. Young is Shelby, and Joshua McLemore is Kevin. The vivacious Student Ensemble also includes Sam Illum, Justin Konopka, Reyna Sanchez, Sammy Swim, Kelsey Jordan Ward, and Gabriela Yarbrough.
And I don’t want to leave out the awesome Adult Ensemble who play everything from angry parents to the members of a Godspell cast. Members include Stephanie Felton, Nick Leos, Johanna Nchekwube, and Carlos Strudwick.
There’s also excellent lighting design by Scott Guenther who sometimes lights the audience drawing us into the story and Brian Christensen’s sound design was flawless on opening night. I want to give special kudos to Hair and Makeup Designer Michael B. Moore especially for the wigs. His choice for Dee Dee’s wig was spot on and the wigs he chose for ensemble member Stephanie Felton, an actor and friend I must have seen in 30 or more productions by now, made her totally unrecognizable.
After I got home from the show, I thought about the countless hours that Director Maas, Music Director Bowling, Choreographer Evor, and the entire crew, cast, and creative team put in to make The Prom the huge success it is. And even though the real world began to creep back in the next day, I want to thank them for putting me in musical theater nirvana for an evening.
Get your tickets for The Prom. Bring a date. Come stag. Or in drag. I “Prom”ise you will be delighted by this uplifting celebration of love and acceptance. Corsages optional.
