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About the Musical
About the Musical
This musical comedy follows four Broadway stars whose fame was coming to an end, so for their own selfish reasons pursued a social issue to reinvent their image. They travel to a small conservative town in Indiana to help a teenage girl have a prom after hers was cancelled for trying to take her girlfriend as her date.
The music is by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, based on an original concept by Jack Viertel. For more info click here.
The story is a spin-off based on a real story that happened in Mississippi, in a case that ignited attention from the world. Unlike the ending of the musical (wont give off any spoilers), McMillen took her story of discrimination and received legal justice and compensation.
(Laura Brancati)
Class reviews
Class reviews
I loved that this musical touched on social topics that are pertinent to our generation and used comedy to make the topic more inviting and approachable. The cast was also amazing. They had incredible voices and could sing while performing their difficult choreographies. This play invites more progressive and left-leaning audiences, but can appeal to a large age range. Love the LGBTQ+ representation!! (Laura Brancati)
The Prom was the definition of a fun musical. Its pacing was fast but made sense as it tells a crucial story. Even sitting in Mezzanine it was still very enjoyable. I appreciated the sign language signers that made the story 3-Dimensional, and so did the actors emotion. (Kai Okai-Brown)
Given that this was one of our first activities as a group, the humorous and upbeat tones of the show left us all smiling as we left the Kennedy Center and allowed us to bond over our favorite jokes and moments. (Meghan Smith)
The Prom was an amazing show. The music and overall visuals were incredible. I enjoyed how certain songs were clearly referential to other musicals such as Godspell and Chicago. The choreography was eye-catching, with fast paced dance numbers that had dancers spinning left and right. As well, the contemporary plotline and setting means it will appeal strongly to younger audiences. (Grace Lyons)
The show was funny but kind of cliche -- the real talent came from Barry and DeeDee and the rest left much to be desired. Still, it was queer representation so I'll take what I can get. (Abby Riemer, #2 fan of The Prom)
While the play at times indulged in pantomime representations of minority groups, it did a fantastic job of ridiculing both people who hold prejudices towards others and egotistical people who always believe themselves to be on the side of progress. From this ridiculing emerges a frenetic storyline that pinballs from dinner dates to promposals, dance-offs, and eventually a heartfelt duet between the protagonist and her love interest. To top it all off, the music, performances, and dance numbers were out of this world. A great theatre-going experience overall. (Evan W.)
Without knowing anything about this show, I was prepared for the worst possibility. However, I do now realize that it is such a great show! The topic and discussion the Prom tries to bring people focus are heavy: the LGBTQ community, and what is charity? As a musical, the music they hold is good. However, is this phenomenon? No. The musical might need a bit touch of more sophisticated composing instead of just using some chords from pop music. Nevertheless, the children-like music perfectly juxtaposes with the intense theme of this musical. Speaking of the choreography, I could not deny it brings us a vibrant and energetic vibe. Overall, 3.5 / 5. (George Shi)
The Prom was a delightful romp that playfully poked fun at Broadway's own pompousness. The musical was extremely engaging for this first-time viewer, and I was especially wowed by the uber-talented cast. Would recommend for an evening of escapism and laughs! (Sophia Moustaid)
Selfie taken in the Lobby before the show
I loved the passion every actor and actress showed. When Alyssa confessed to her mother and came to the prom to find Emma, that was the highest point in the show. I really love the actress who played Alyssa, the change she showed from before to after, the facial and physical expression she had, all lead my emotion to go with her. Very impressed!(Xiwen Liu)
Photo taken from Kennedy Center Website
"The Prom" does a great job of illuminating how cultural traditions, rites of passage, and elements of everyday life may reflect and even reinforce the biases and heteronormative structures that make up current American society. It also illustrates how things that may be taken for granted because of time, privilege, or circumstance (like allowing students of any gender and sexuality to attend their high school dances, without requiring heterosexual dates) often required significant energy to be established as the new, more accepting 'status quo'. Additionally, the show provokes thought about the remaining barriers and constructs that can make people of various identities feel as if they are not welcome in certain spaces (think about dress codes for formal events, for example, like requiring women to wear floor length dresses/skirts without considering that some who identify as female may feel most comfortable wearing pants, etc.).
This show always brings me to tears because it is so easy to find a connection with various characters' struggles. It's heart-wrenching to see Emma continually ostracized by her classmates and feeling abandoned by the people she is closest to; it's also excruciatingly painful to hear the song "Alyssa Greene" and understand the pressures and emotional depth of her need to perform, conform, and please. These points of sorrow and distress also allow the viewer to experience the joy and relief of the characters as they work toward change and acceptance in their community. (Alice Baughman)
The end of the Prom (George Shi)
Photos taken from Kennedy Center Website
Pink Pants!
Pink Pants!
Inspired by the spunky and colorful environment created in The Prom I decided to stunt these bold statement pants. I was initially hesitant to purchase these as I was unsure whether or not I would actually wear them. However, something about the energy brought to the show and the overarching message of being unapologetically yourself gave me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone and express myself freely through my style. Looking around at the audience around me I could tell I wasn't the only one who felt this way. As I walked into the theatre a young woman in a poofy ballgown and a beanie caught my eye as she jittered with anticipation for the show to start, clearly overjoyed to be experiencing the show in an outfit that made her happy. Her demeaner exuding confidence and joy and solidifying even more the inclusive experience the show strives to cultivate for the audience.
So although it sounds silly, my pink pants mean a lot more than just a fun fashion statement. To me it is a reminder to embrace everything about myself and "Wear my Crown". (Jill Preston)
I remember my own prom: I stressed over everything on what should've been a stress-free, fun night. I stressed about finding a date, I stressed about what to wear, I stressed about whether my date would pin something with pollen onto my lapel causing me to become completely and utterly non-functional. (For the record, my senior prom ended up being one of the best "farewell" events I had!)
Seeing The Prom as one of my first in-person theater experiences since COVID started reminded me about my privilege because I conformed to society's heteronormative expectations; heck, I even had a senior prom. (As an aside, I feel bad for one of my best friends, who, thanks to being born a month later than me suffered the fate of being in the Class of 2020 and, therefore, did not have a prom.) I was so lucky to have those experiences. I hope that we can recommit ourselves to including LGBTQ+ individuals in schools, because it *shouldn't* be political to want every student to have a fulfilling school experience - and yet, thanks to anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation (such as "bathroom bills") this is not the lived reality of millions of young people. (Justin Oei)
Bust of JFK, seen in the Lobby (Jill Preston)
The Hall of Nations
Other connections
Other connections
The exhibit "Girlhood: It's Complicated" at the Museum of American History complicates The Prom with this dress and its implications: The Prom phenomenon, the exhibits states, "dates to the 1920s, is enduring, expensive, a rite of passage, segregated, and heteronormative." I never went to my prom, either because I was anti-establishmentarian or because I didn't have a date. But my kids did and that was OK.
I loved the show and that it was historically based! It aksed us to think not only about gender and sexuality but also about stages of the life-span and regionalism. I think I lost weight just watching the dancing, and, did anyone catch the reference to "Carrie"? ~ Anne K. Rasmussen
An interesting thought...
During the pandemic, since so many actors are quarantining or isolating because of COVID-19 or exposures to the virus, many understudies (even those beyond the primary understudy) are being called up for their moment in the spotlight. Maybe this means some "Angie" Fosse girls who were in the chorus or ensemble of shows like Chicago are now getting their time as "Roxie"!
(Alice Baughman)
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