Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) opened its 2023 season with the rousing musical, The Prom. Playing alternate nights with Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical until August 25th, the production joyously takes us into the angst-ridden teen experiences of prom season, reminding us that everyone sharing the same insecurities, burden of expectations and desire to be themselves.
With music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Bob Martin and Beguelin, based on an original concept by Jack Viertel, the musical is inspired by a similar real-life Mississippi prom cancelation in 2010.
The Prom brings together two stories of redemption. First up, a group of narcissistic, Broadway ‘stars’ are in desperate need of a PR win to counter the disastrous opening-night closure of their critically lambasted new play. Enter, Emma Nolan – brilliantly played with just the right blend of innocence and activism by Anna Pontin – a high school teenager who becomes a trending topic and the school pariah after the local PTA cancels the prom, rather than allow Emma to attend with a same-sex date.
Photo: Emily Cooper Photography
The Broadway troupe are lead by diva Dee Dee Allen – played with verve by Vancouver’s own doyen of theatre Caitriona Murphy – and her compatriot Barry Glickman brought to vibrant life by Greg Armstrong-Morris. The duo drag along their put-upon publicist Sheldon (Jessica Wong) for support. Also riding their coat-tails are Angie Dickinson (Amanda Lourenço), a leggy Chicago chorus girl passed over one-too-many-times for Roxie Hart and Trent Oliver (Matthew Valinho), a former sitcom star, longing to make it on Broadway to justify his Juilliard training. Hitching a ride on the bus of Trent’s non-equity production of Godspell, they make their way to Indiana to make Emma into their cause célèbre.
Their arrival causes a ruckus in the small town, as they put their plan in motion. There they meet some of the people of Indiana, Principal Tom Hawkins (Kevin Khonje) who is torn between helping Emma and listening to the conservative PTA lead by Mrs Greene (Amy Gartner), who’s daughter Alyssa (Brianna Clark) happens to be the unknown date Emma planned to bring to prom.
Photo: Emily Cooper Photography
Along the way the actors, learn about themselves and come to evolve from their narrow narcissistic lives and find that actually helping and caring about others in fact helps themselves. Emma and Alyssa find their own confidence and each find a way to navigate the complexities of their lives, love and situation. The chemistry between Anna Pontin and Brianna Clark emotionally and vocally anchors The Prom in reality with each of them bringing a beautiful charm to their solos and power to their duets. Their subtle delivery allows the Broadway troupe players to go all out with their performances; from Dee Dee’s oversized lead “It’s Not About Me” to overplayed humility in “The Lady Is Improving”. “Zazz” lets Angie’s high kicks and jazz-hands fly to make Bob Fosse proud. In a nod to Stephen Schwartz’s oft-mentioned musical, Trent’s “Love Thy Neighbor” has a very obvious Godspell feel, and the emotionally rousing “Barry Is Going To Prom” allows Armstrong-Morris to let Barry tear down the walls built around his heart by his own similar (albeit many years earlier) prom and family experiences. The sound on opening night produced a sibilance on some of the casts’ microphones which was a slight distraction when speaking but not enough to hinder the musical numbers.
Director and Choreographer, Tracey Power wonderfully balances the cast of veteran performers and new up-and-coming talents. Although the somewhat repetitive dance break in the finale “It’s Time To Dance” gave the troupe a long breather, the youthful ensemble of singers and dancers, many of them students in real-life are allowed to shine alongside their more experienced counterparts. Kevin Khonje, making his acting debut as Mr Hawkins expectedly appeared to carry some opening night nerves, but relaxed into the second act and certainly held his own opposite Caitriona Murphy. While she could easily be the stereotype of small-town intolerance Amy Gartner imbues Mrs Greene with complicated feelings on the subject – does she or doesn’t she know what her daughter is hiding?
Even though the basis of the book is from over a decade ago, the current cultural climate makes The Prom’s political moments feel totally topical. The witty Broadway and pop-culture references that litter the lyrics and dialogue also help to keep the show feeling fresh, but missing them would not deter from the enjoyment of the production. The fun, dazzling, glittered Prom outfit by Costume Designer Stephanie Kong played well with Set Designer Brian Ball and Lighting Designer Robert Sondergaard’s colour choices to bring the set to life just like the new found vitality Emma, Alyssa, Dee Dee, Barry, Trent and Angie find in their lives. The vibrance of The Prom allows everyone present to walk away with a feeling of light, love and hope while applauding TUTS for another great season ahead.
Running at Theatre Under The Stars at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, The Prom is in repertoire with Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical until August 25, 2023