THE BASICS: THE PROM, part of the M&T Broadway series at Shea’s, with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Bob Martin and Beguelin, is on stage now through October 2, Wednesday-Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00, Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, 650 Main Street. 716-847-0850 or sheas.org. For an impressively content-rich website loaded with extras, including a study guide for high school students, behind-the-scenes notes, videos, and more visit www.sheas.org/performances/the-prom.
Runtime: 2-1/2 hours with one intermission
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: THE PROM is a musical comedy about big Broadway stars on a mission to change the world by revealing the love that unites us all (and save their careers too)! After failed reviews, the stars look around for an opportunity to show that they are not narcissistic egos, and they decide that helping a lesbian high school girl fulfill her dream of going with a same-sex date to her mid-western high school prom is just the ticket. THE PROM has also been turned into a Netflix movie musical with some big stars, including Meryl Streep, but I don’t know if I’d watch it before I go to Shea’s. Maybe just let the real-life musical reveal its magic. Then, if you want, watch the Netflix show later.
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: The musical opens as Dee Dee Allen, an egotistical two-time Tony award-winning Broadway actress, having just opened on Broadway as Eleanor Roosevelt in the (fictional) show ELEANOR! and her co-star, Barry Glickman, another self-important Broadway actor, are devastated by their poor opening night reviews, with the kiss of death being the New York Times reporting that since these two are such self-absorbed narcissists, they have no concept of how to play their roles.
With fellow actors, Angie Dickinson, a chorus girl who has never gotten a chance to portray Roxie Hart in the musical CHICAGO, and Trent Oliver, a Juilliard graduate (as he tells everyone… often) who once starred in the (fictional) television sitcom TALK TO THE HAND, but has just signed on for a national tour of GODSPELL, they decide to engage in a selfless, charitable cause. Scrolling social media, Angie sees the story about Emma, a lesbian who has been denied the chance to attend her high school prom going as a same-sex couple. The local PTA forbids this and when the four actors (and their publicist, of course) descend upon the small town of Edgewater, Indiana to right this unrightable wrong without question or pause (they are, after all, narcissists) they only make things worse. And so, as the curtain comes down on Act I with the obligatory impossible situation, fear not, THE PROM is a Broadway musical, and so despite numerous self-effacing jokes throughout the show, by the end of Act II, the power of Broadway conquers all. I mean, this is THE PROM, for cryin’ out loud, not CARRIE.
The show is loaded with Broadway references. One touch of irony is that, in the plot, it’s a devastating New York Times review that puts the plot in motion. In real life, IRL, Times critic Jesse Green described THE PROM as “such a joyful hoot. With its kinetic dancing, broad mugging and belty anthems, it makes you believe in musical comedy again.” Another fun moment is when, in trying to get better rooms at the small town Edgewater, Indiana motel, the characters pull out the two Tonys and the one Drama Desk award that they have won. IRL this show didn’t win any Tonys (despite numerous nominations) but it did win one Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Musical).
Another fun scene has Angie (played by Emily Borromeo) tell young Emma (Kaden Kearny) a story of how Bob Fosse inspired a nervous young CHICAGO actress by telling her to bring a little “zazz” to her performance, and in that number, we get a lot of references to Fosse’s dance steps. In a show with a ton of high-energy dancing, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (2011 Tony, etc. for THE BOOK OF MORMON and 2014 Tony, etc. for ALADDIN) that was a sweet homage.
And, oh my god, that dancing. Those young legs! With only two swings on this tour (and, by the way, this is the original tour cast from 2021) I don’t know how they put on 8 shows a week. THE PROM is a little MEAN GIRLS, a little HEATHERS, a little CINDERELLA, and a little FOOTLOOSE.
Readers of my reviews know that it’s not a musical if I don’t also get all choked up and for me that moment was sung by the character Alyssa (Kalyn West) and it’s called “Alyssa Green” in which she relates how she’s expected to be perfect in everything, and endless rules apply, cause it’s do or die, and don’t ask how or why… when you’re Alyssa Greene. I got the same feeling that I get from “I’m not that girl” in WICKED. Marvelous.
Perhaps the biggest applause at the curtain came for Courtney Balan as the older character ‘Dee Dee Allen’ who was just over-the-top enough without taking it too far.
Perhaps the biggest applause at the curtain came for Courtney Balan as the older character “Dee Dee Allen” who was just over-the-top enough without taking it too far. Masterfully done and well aided and abetted by Sinclair Mitchell as the high school principal, Mr. Hawkins. Another fine performance came from Bud Weber as Trent Oliver, the Juilliard-trained actor. A fine singer and dancer.
I was a little disappointed in Kaden Kearney as Emma because she was just too loud at the end of each phrase or stanza and her voice, while adequate, was not as easy on the ears as Balan’s or West’s (Dee Dee or Alyssa). And I didn’t like the “make it gay AF” direction apparently given to Patrick Wetzel who plays the other failed Broadway actor Barry Glickman. Back in the early 20th-century vaudeville shows there was often a stock homosexual character called “The Nance” who would prance and take mincing steps and lisp. Wetzel’s performance seemed a throwback to that early era.
But those two items aside, this was a perfect way to open the 2022-2023 M&T Broadway season. Lots of fun and there’s nothing wrong with that.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!
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