An Inspiring Message from "The Prom"
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman sends a message of inclusion
The Prom opened at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman in Pitman, NJ, and I was fortunate to see the opening night performance. Let’s talk about this show and its incredible message.
But first, I stopped across the street from the theater at Alaura Kitchen, home to amazing homemade lunch/dinner foods and ice cream! This is The Hungry Transit Fan, after all…
The Prom was inspired by a real-life controversy in Itawamba County, Mississippi where an openly lesbian student named Constance McMillen was prohibited from attending her high school’s prom, prompting the involvement of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The incident drew international attention and brought support from many celebrity names, including Ellen Degeneres, Lance Bass, Wanda Sykes, and Green Day. The show’s plot contains parallels to parts of McMillen’s story.
The Prom’s development combined a few well-known creative minds. It was conceived by Jack Viertel, who has contributed to shows including After Midnight and Hairspray. In addition, he served in administrative roles at The NY City Center and Jujamcyn Theaters, overseeing the production of countless shows. The writing team included Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, most famous for their collaboration on Elf: The Musical and The Wedding Singer, along with prolific actor/writer Bob Martin, who previously worked with the two on Elf: The Musical.
The show first tested in Atlanta in 2016 before opening on Broadway in November 2018. It only ran for just over 300 performances, but it left its mark in that time. The cast recording produced hundreds of thousands of listeners and, in a short time, inspired a film adaptation. After pandemic-related delays, the film was released in late 2020. A delayed US tour also had a relatively short run across 20 cities in 2021-2022.
The show has since been licensed and had its first regional production in 2022. To say that this writer was excited when the Broadway Theatre of Pitman (BToP) announced The Prom for this year’s season would be an understatement. The venue has become a destination for its varied selection of both classics and more modern shows, and the production quality is always dazzling. Being familiar with the cast recording and film version of The Prom, this show was highly anticipated in the current season. There are so many to list, so I’ll note that the entire production team (including so many longtime staff names) put together a great show. One special note, though (and you’ll understand when you see the show), the Conductor, Michael Armstrong, and the show’s orchestra give a special energy that leaves a lasting impression.
So, let’s dive in (and I’ll try to keep the spoilers to a minimum). The show opens with an immersive setting on a rooftop bar in New York City. Speaking to the set design/painting of Shawn McGovern and Melody Rossiter, respectively, this opening scene was incredible. The backdrop utilized the entire stage to place the audience in perspective of the NYC skyline. This was a precursor to future set backdrops, which were equally as vibrant and detailed.
On a related note, the overall design and interweaving of set pieces made for quick scene changes and seamless environments. In particular, it speaks to the design and direction that the gym scene (during “You Happened”) dynamically uses set pieces to make a scene within a scene. This, along with the lighting design (also by Shawn McGovern) helped to capture the emotion of the moment and made this perhaps a favorite scene of the entire show.
Now, on to the cast. Those who’ve been to one or two BToP shows will recognize some familiar faces (Ten alumni, by my count!), as well as a few folks from other recent regional productions (Olivia Manlove from Heathers at the Ritz Theater in Oaklyn and Vinnie DiFilippo from Spring Awakening the Grand Theatre in Williamstown). I’ll note to pay attention to the showtime role notes in the preshow announcement, as some players or understudies may not have been in the program at the time of printing. If my memory serves correctly (and if my eyes can make out the tiny program headshots), Jodi Lawrence O’Connor filled in the role of Dee Dee Allen, with Olivia Manlove backfilling her role as Mrs. Greene.
While every cast member had excellent performances, I’d like to note a few standouts. BToP veteran actor/director Kyrus Keenan Westcott showed incredible comedic timing and played a character with quite a range throughout the show, requiring the utmost chemistry with multiple other actors as the show went on. Also notable was his character’s performance of “We Look To You” which blurred the lines in somewhat of a fourth-wall break (whether or not by design of the original composers, but certainly interpreted as such by this audience member), signifying the importance (again, at least to this viewer) of the escapism of theater.
At the core of the main plot, four “washed-up” actors and a publicist travel to support the main character in an attempt to revamp their image. The chemistry of these five makes them an entertaining, if dysfunctional, team. Jodi Lawrence O’Connor’s belt, Aden Siegel’s ferocity, Brooke Birbilis’s energetic “zazz”, DJ Hedgepath’s presence, and Vinnie DiFilippo’s charisma all highlighted their well-written roles as the motley crew of city folk attempt to make waves in the heart of the Midwest. One cannot mention chemistry, however, without mentioning the lead, Emma (played by Jill Saperstein), and her supporting lead/love interest Alyssa (Eve Harrison). The character of Emma gets considerably more stage time in the script, and Jill Saperstein’s performance becomes largely relatable, especially for the younger crowd from small South Jersey towns in Pitman and nearby. Likewise, Eve Harrison’s Alyssa struggles to find herself in the setting of an authoritative family and community setting, showing the challenges closeted individuals face in their daily lives. These two play off each other so well through the ups and downs and truly make the audience vie for their happy ending.
This entire cast and production were simply excellent. Without giving away much, you won’t want to miss the finale, including a surprise or two. It’s quite magical when a live production can deliver laughs, tears, and inspiration, and The Prom at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman does just that. Considering that Pride Month has just ended and the Pitman area has in recent years shown its worth as a haven of inclusion, this show extends the love and positivity that we can all embrace.
If you get the chance, you won’t want to miss this production. The show continues on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through July 28th, 2024. Selected weekend matinees and night performances are added, check the ticketing website for exact details:
https://www.thebroadwaytheatre.org/show/the-prom-the-musical/
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman is at 43 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071. It is near the NJ Transit 408, 412, and 313 bus routes, although it is important to note that these are on wide frequencies and generally don’t run after the end of a performance time. Their schedules may be best suited for weekend matinees, but be sure to check the official site for more details. Pitman has some parking, though, it’s not the most convenient and one may need to walk several blocks from available spaces. Only four more years (hopefully) until the Glassboro-Camden Line stops 1½ blocks from the theatre!
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