THE BASICS: THE PROM, a musical by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar, directed by Doug Weyand, presented by MusicalFare, 9/4 – 10/6, Wed – Thu 7:00, Fri 7:30, Sat 3:30 and 7:30, Sun 2:00 at MusicalFare Theatre, c/o Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, NY 14226, 716-839-8540 musicalfare.com
RUNTIME: 2 hours 45 minutes including one intermission
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Four incredibly self-absorbed, self-centered Broadway actors, lamenting their days of fame, with two of them recently blasted in the New York Times for their narcissism, decide that they need to prove that they do have empathy. After rejecting such schemes as volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, they hit on hitching a ride with a traveling tour of GODSPELL to a small town in Indiana to “help” a student banned from bringing her girlfriend to the prom. They’re ready to put a spotlight on the issue… but mostly on themselves.
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: It’s as if MusicalFare, after having their plans for a new theater in Amherst scuttled, didn’t mope. Instead, they must have said “Okay, let’s show the Town of Amherst exactly what they’re losing… let’s put on one of our BEST SHOWS EVER!” And, by gosh (or whatever they say in Edgewater, Indiana) they did.
One thing MusicalFare has is a really fine collection of local actors on speed dial. And one thing about THE PROM is that, instead of just one or two leads, it has nine, and director Doug Weyand knew just how to cast those nine roles (and the eight ensemble roles, too)!
Now, the four out-of-work Broadway characters we see on stage know that they lack empathy, and they know that theater is supposed to strengthen our empathy muscles, but they just don’t know how to overcome their narcissism to do that. Fortunately, the very talented actors on the MusicalFare stage do know how to connect with us. And we in the audience care about each and every one of them. That’s no easy trick in these polarized times, to get an entire audience to care about so many people. But we do.
Sam Crystal as Emma, the lesbian who wants to take her girlfriend to the Prom is, as always, delightfully goofy and I was quite taken with her singing! Emma’s girlfriend, Alyssa Greene, is played by Alexandria Watts, who always presents as so damn nice that you really feel for her dilemma, which is that she hasn’t come out to her demanding mother, the president of the PTA; well played by Davida Evette Tolbert. Watts’s big number about having to be the perfect daughter, are filled with lines such as: “Just have everything perfected / By the time you reach eighteen / Don’t ask how or why when you’re Alyssa Greene.” For me, it’s not a musical unless I get choked up, and that song did it for me.
Jake Hayes embodies the hard-working, practical, and empathetic school principal, Mr. Hawkins, to a tee and makes the perfect counterpart for “Dee Dee” (the very embodiment of narcissism), played by Jenn Stafford, with her special brand of insouciance covering up a vulnerability that disarms audiences completely.
The rest of the Broadway crew do, in quiet scenes, find it in themselves to reach out to Emma, including Louis Colaiacovo who gets huge laughs as “Barry” but really does want to help; MusicalFare favorite Marc Sacco as Trent who can’t help but mention that he went to the Juilliard School for acting, but who ultimately is able to relate to the the high school students; Nicole Cimato as Angie, the kick-ass dancer with the, as short little Emma calls them, “antelope-like” legs; and Dave Spychalski as Sheldon, the Broadway group’s PR guy.
I was impressed with the choreography of Michael Oliver-Walline who not only had to create dances for the “Broadway” crew but also for the high school students. Oliver-Walline’s special sauce, I believe, is bringing the best out of his cast and making it all look like fun (although obviously these folks worked like hell over the summer).
Applebees Jake Hayes, Jenn Stafford, Lizzie Arnold, Davida Evette Tolbert
Dave Spychalski, Jenn Stafford, Louis Colaiacovo, Nicole Cimato and Ensemble
Alexandria Watts and Davida Evette Tolbert
Love Thy Neighbor Marc Sacco and Ensemble
Photo credit: Doug Weyand
And the costumes designed by Kari Drozd were fun when they needed to be fun and sexy when they needed to be sexy. The set, lighting, and, most importantly, the projections (how does he do that?) by Chris Cavanaugh brought it all together. The off-stage pit musicians, led by Theresa Quinn, were inspired.
THE PROM was nominated in 2019 for seven Tony® Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, and when you go, you’ll hear why. Now, you may have seen the Broadway Tour of THE PROM when it opened the Shea’s season back in 2022. And that was good. But this production is better. Can I prove that? No, it’s my opinion, but it wouldn’t be the first time that the more intimate MusicalFare venue with 136 seats has offered a better experience than the 3,019-seat Shea’s Buffalo. I recall that was my feeling with the musical ONCE and I felt it here. So don’t deny yourself the chance to spend an evening with some very talented, nice, and funny people.
HERD OF BUFFALO RATING SYSTEM
FIVE BUFFALO: Universal Appeal! This production is pure theatrical magic – a crowd-pleaser. No prior theatre experience is necessary. Whether it’s a laugh-out-loud comedy or a heartwarming drama, this show offers an unforgettable shared experience. You’ll laugh, be touched, or amazed (depending on the genre). Grab your tickets before they disappear!
FOUR BUFFALO: Highly Recommended! This production delivers high-quality entertainment. It may have a strong script and stellar performances. While it might not be for everyone, theatre fans and those interested in the style, themes, or genre are sure to be delighted. Gather your friends or grab a date – you won’t be disappointed you went!
THREE BUFFALO: A Solid Night Out! This solid production and enjoyable evening at the theater. It’s a strong choice for a night out. Roam over and check it out if you can!
TWO BUFFALO: Intriguing! This production may not appeal to all tastes. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to blaze your own theatrical trail, this production offers a unique experience. While it may have some minor imperfections, if the genre, themes, and style align with your interests you should defintely attend!
ONE BUFFALO: If you love Theatre…Although it won’t resonate with everyone, it offers a challenging and stimulating experience. Traditional theatergoers might find it difficult to follow. While it will undoubtedly spark conversation, consider the genre, themes, and style before attending.MusicalFare’s THE PROM Shines with Stellar Cast and Big Heart in Intimate Setting
Review by Peter Hall
THE BASICS: THE PROM, a musical by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar, directed by Doug Weyand, presented by MusicalFare, 9/4 – 10/6, Wed – Thu 7:00, Fri 7:30, Sat 3:30 and 7:30, Sun 2:00 at MusicalFare Theatre, c/o Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, NY 14226, 716-839-8540 musicalfare.com
RUNTIME: 2 hours 45 minutes including one intermission
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Four incredibly self-absorbed, self-centered Broadway actors, lamenting their days of fame, with two of them recently blasted in the New York Times for their narcissism, decide that they need to prove that they do have empathy. After rejecting such schemes as volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, they hit on hitching a ride with a traveling tour of GODSPELL to a small town in Indiana to “help” a student banned from bringing her girlfriend to the prom. They’re ready to put a spotlight on the issue… but mostly on themselves.
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: It’s as if MusicalFare, after having their plans for a new theater in Amherst scuttled, didn’t mope. Instead, they must have said “Okay, let’s show the Town of Amherst exactly what they’re losing… let’s put on one of our BEST SHOWS EVER!” And, by gosh (or whatever they say in Edgewater, Indiana) they did.
One thing MusicalFare has is a really fine collection of local actors on speed dial. And one thing about THE PROM is that, instead of just one or two leads, it has nine, and director Doug Weyand knew just how to cast those nine roles (and the eight ensemble roles, too)!
Now, the four out-of-work Broadway characters we see on stage know that they lack empathy, and they know that theater is supposed to strengthen our empathy muscles, but they just don’t know how to overcome their narcissism to do that. Fortunately, the very talented actors on the MusicalFare stage do know how to connect with us. And we in the audience care about each and every one of them. That’s no easy trick in these polarized times, to get an entire audience to care about so many people. But we do.
Sam Crystal as Emma, the lesbian who wants to take her girlfriend to the Prom is, as always, delightfully goofy and I was quite taken with her singing! Emma’s girlfriend, Alyssa Greene, is played by Alexandria Watts, who always presents as so damn nice that you really feel for her dilemma, which is that she hasn’t come out to her demanding mother, the president of the PTA; well played by Davida Evette Tolbert. Watts’s big number about having to be the perfect daughter, are filled with lines such as: “Just have everything perfected / By the time you reach eighteen / Don’t ask how or why when you’re Alyssa Greene.” For me, it’s not a musical unless I get choked up, and that song did it for me.
Jake Hayes embodies the hard-working, practical, and empathetic school principal, Mr. Hawkins, to a tee and makes the perfect counterpart for “Dee Dee” (the very embodiment of narcissism), played by Jenn Stafford, with her special brand of insouciance covering up a vulnerability that disarms audiences completely.
The rest of the Broadway crew do, in quiet scenes, find it in themselves to reach out to Emma, including Louis Colaiacovo who gets huge laughs as “Barry” but really does want to help; MusicalFare favorite Marc Sacco as Trent who can’t help but mention that he went to the Juilliard School for acting, but who ultimately is able to relate to the the high school students; Nicole Cimato as Angie, the kick-ass dancer with the, as short little Emma calls them, “antelope-like” legs; and Dave Spychalski as Sheldon, the Broadway group’s PR guy.
I was impressed with the choreography of Michael Oliver-Walline who not only had to create dances for the “Broadway” crew but also for the high school students. Oliver-Walline’s special sauce, I believe, is bringing the best out of his cast and making it all look like fun (although obviously these folks worked like hell over the summer).
And the costumes designed by Kari Drozd were fun when they needed to be fun and sexy when they needed to be sexy. The set, lighting, and, most importantly, the projections (how does he do that?) by Chris Cavanaugh brought it all together. The off-stage pit musicians, led by Theresa Quinn, were inspired.
THE PROM was nominated in 2019 for seven Tony® Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, and when you go, you’ll hear why. Now, you may have seen the Broadway Tour of THE PROM when it opened the Shea’s season back in 2022. And that was good. But this production is better. Can I prove that? No, it’s my opinion, but it wouldn’t be the first time that the more intimate MusicalFare venue with 136 seats has offered a better experience than the 3,019-seat Shea’s Buffalo. I recall that was my feeling with the musical ONCE and I felt it here. So don’t deny yourself the chance to spend an evening with some very talented, nice, and funny people.
Rating: FOUR AND A HALF Buffalos
HERD OF BUFFALO RATING SYSTEM
FIVE BUFFALO: Universal Appeal! This production is pure theatrical magic – a crowd-pleaser. No prior theatre experience is necessary. Whether it’s a laugh-out-loud comedy or a heartwarming drama, this show offers an unforgettable shared experience. You’ll laugh, be touched, or amazed (depending on the genre). Grab your tickets before they disappear!
FOUR BUFFALO: Highly Recommended! This production delivers high-quality entertainment. It may have a strong script and stellar performances. While it might not be for everyone, theatre fans and those interested in the style, themes, or genre are sure to be delighted. Gather your friends or grab a date – you won’t be disappointed you went!
THREE BUFFALO: A Solid Night Out! This solid production and enjoyable evening at the theater. It’s a strong choice for a night out. Roam over and check it out if you can!
TWO BUFFALO: Intriguing! This production may not appeal to all tastes. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to blaze your own theatrical trail, this production offers a unique experience. While it may have some minor imperfections, if the genre, themes, and style align with your interests you should defintely attend!
ONE BUFFALO: If you love Theatre…Although it won’t resonate with everyone, it offers a challenging and stimulating experience. Traditional theatergoers might find it difficult to follow. While it will undoubtedly spark conversation, consider the genre, themes, and style before attending.
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