"When the play ends, what remains? When the play ends, what begins?" 

Rustom Bharucha

Tower Theater's 23-24 season is focused on Theater for Social Change, a way in which we elevate theater beyond art-making into a place of generating awareness for social issues facing our community. The Prom is our first step in that journey, adapted from the true story of Constance McMillen who fought for the right to attend prom with her girlfriend. But McMillen's story took place in Mississippi, not Colorado, and it happened in 2010. So how is her story relevant to us here and now?

According to the Trevor Project's 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People: 

• Fewer than 40% of LGBTQ young people found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming

• 41% of LGBTQ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year

• Nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQ young people said their mental health was poor most of the time or always due to anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation 

And, as reported in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023 LGBTQ+ Youth Report:

• Fewer than 1 in 7 (13.8%) of LGBTQ+ youth have ever been taught about LGBTQ+ history

• Almost 6 in 10 (56.9%) LGBTQ+ youth reported being verbally or physically harassed at least once in the prior 30 days

• As of July 2023, over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including 200 anti-transgender bills, were introduced into state legislatures during the 2023 legislative session, and over 80 were signed into law

Now, more than ever, McMillen's story is important. All of our students' stories are important. Their messy, chaotic, unruly hearts are in our hands. Change happens together, and this show is a reminder that it can happen with laughter and joy and love. 

We'll continue the work this season by viewing Jewish identity, World War II, and Immigration through the lens of Neil Simon's amazingly hilarious and touching Brighton Beach Memoirs (Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2) and then in the spring, by putting our attention on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness using that darkly vibrant 80s cult classic Heathers: The Musical (April 11, 12, 13).

Thank you for taking this journey with us.

Musical Numbers

Act I

Changing Lives

Just Breathe

It's Not About Me

Dance With You

The Acceptance Song

You Happened

We Look to You

Tonight Belongs to You

there will be a 5-minute intermission between acts

Act II

Zazz

The Lady's Improving

Love Thy Neighbor

Alyssa Greene

Barry Is Going To Prom

Unruly Heart

Changing Lives (Reprise)

It's Time To Dance