Having been invited to The Prom for the second time this year, it seemed best to celebrate this time around in a frilly dress. It was especially appropriate catching a show while away on vacation and with Jordyn Linkous’s festive and glittery wig and costume design, it was easy to fit right in.
Innovatively directed and creatively staged by Niko Stamos with lighthearted choreography by Jordyn Linkous, Titusville Playhouse presents musical dramedy The Prom live and in person in Titusville, Florida through October 1. This show contains some strobe lighting and special effects. It runs two hours and 25 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.
The Prom should sound a least a little familiar since its 2020 Netflix film adaptation debut with an abundance of its own star power including Meryl Streep as Dee Dee and James Corden as Barry. Inspired by a true story, anxious Emma, depicted with self effacing humility by Delaney Sue McGough, invites a date to the Prom with none other than Myanell Enriquez as popular Alyssa, the daughter of the head of the Parent Teacher Association. Once a group of egocentric Broadway celebrities gets wind of this human interest story, they decide to make a difference in this small Indiana town. The Prom is a satirical blend of inspired true story and over the top musical comedy set in New York as well as in Edgewater, Indiana. The Prom delivers plenty of humor ranging from silly to satirical with a sincere and underlying message about helping others.
With extraordinary music direction by Spencer Crosswell, The Prom boasts strong vocals from an amiable cast. Glamour takes center stage with Mandy Kerridge as Dee Dee Allan, a self absorbed and award-winning actress. Kerridge’s impressive vocal range and wonderful belt is on full display for It’s Not About Me and The Lady’s Improving. Along with Steven J. Heron as warm, lovable, and lauded actor Barry Glickman, Danny Sanchez as no nonsense PR rep Sheldon, Corey Evans as openhearted Trent, and Sarah Ruth Joyner as inspirational Angie Dickinson, these seemingly shallow thespians bring some humorous moments, but their real charm is exposed by the people they meet in this fish out of water production.
Lit with soft and cheerful multicolored lighting by Davis Vande Steeg , The Prom features a dynamic set design by Niko Stamos including a digital screen that transforms settings in an instant including the store front of a 711, a monster truck rally, and the glittering festivities of a Prom. Some clever staging includes the transformation of an Applebee’s to a balcony seat during a beautiful rendition of We Look to You as well as veiled and translucent staging for the number, Tonight Belongs to You.
The Prom deals with some serious topics including betrayal, but balances it well with the show’s overall optimistic tone. It is positive throughout, even in the face of Emma’s most difficult challenges. McGough’s chiming vocals in forlorn yet earnest number Just Breathe is a compelling revelation while Holly Fuller’s tight lipped delivery proves fitting for tough and immutable antagonist Mrs. Greene. Emma’s high school classmates are painted as shallow and insensitive and as far as storytelling, it might have been nice to have at least one of them sympathetic to Emma’s plight from the start.
The Prom contains a wealth of welcome, inside Broadway humor and references as well as notable choreography including a sweet rendition of You Happened and the Fosse-inspired choreography of Zazz. The Prom provides a message driven and sparkling escape to fun and frivolity if only temporarily from the realities of life.
Titusville Playhouse presents The Prom live and in person in Titusville, Florida through October 1. This show contains some strobe and special effects and runs two hours and 25 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.