‘The Prom’ dances into Littleton in a high-octane production

In a production that will appeal to a wide-ranging audience, both young and old, straight, and gay, The Prom arrives just in time for grad season and Pride Month. Dancing its way into Littleton’s Town Hall Arts Center, the musical follows four washed-up Broadway stars descending upon small-town Edgewater, Indiana, hoping to make a renewed name for themselves, reigniting their fading careers.

A Colorado premiere, it is directed by Nathan Halvorson and features music by Matthew Sklar, as well as a book and lyrics by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin.

Based on real-life events, Emma (Megan Schraeder) wants to take her girlfriend, Alyssa (Kiara Butts), to the high school prom and meets intense opposition from the homophobic PTA headed by Mrs. Greene (Sonsharae Tull).  To save the day and their reputations, a group of narcissistic performers from a recently failed Broadway production descend upon Edgewater to rally around the cause and help Emma achieve her dream of taking her girlfriend to prom.

As the “stars” arrive in Indiana, Dee Dee Allen (Maggie Lamb), Barry Glickman (Timothy Campbell), Angie Dickinson (Piper Lindsay Arpan), Trent Oliver (Gavin Juckette), and their publicist Sheldon (Hayes Burton) swoop in only to make a further mess of things. Fortunately, they are met with a certain amount of approval by the high school principal, Tom Hawkins (Jozeph Mykaels).

Initially, little goes right, and much goes wrong for the misguided group from the Big Apple. The pushback from parents and the students is extreme, leaving poor Emma a nervous wreck as prom season approaches. Trying their best to correct the situation, Dee Dee and the others fail miserably, leaving Emma to step up and do it her way — creating a secondary prom advertised as inclusive of everyone and every relationship. Eventually, everyone comes around and dances to Emma’s newfound love and acceptance in a rousing finale.

Photo: RDGPhotography

Standout cast

As Emma, Schraeder heads the cast in a commanding and touching performance. She is the perfect protagonist who often waits for the other shoe to drop. The audience is on her side from beginning to end, and her sincerity is front and center throughout.

Other standouts in the cast include Lamb as Dee Dee, the two-time Tony Award winner and self-centered diva who hysterically learns great lessons about her overwhelming self-absorption. Campbell, as Glickman, gives a fun, over-the-top performance that provides laughs all along the way. Both Mykaels as Principal Hawkins and Tull as Mrs. Green add strong characters, fleshing out the true-to-life storyline as friend and foe to Emma. As usual with Town Hall productions, the ensemble is top-notch.

Returning from directing last season’s La Cage Aux Folles, Nathan Halverson directs The Prom with a singular eye on the prize – love and acceptance. He has brought together a delightful cast of unique characters and moves them swiftly through their paces, leaving little time for anyone to catch their breath.

The Prom has a winning score by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar, with many hummable tunes, including “Dance with You,” “Unruly Heart” and “Tonight Belongs to You.” The cast is up to the challenge vocally and is provided strong accompaniment by music director and tracks coordinator Donna Debreceni. With choreography by Carrie Colton, the dancing is robust and highly polished.

I saw the Broadway production of The Prom five years ago and immediately fell in love with its energy and storyline. Town Hall has replicated this in a high-octane production that will tug at everyone’s heartstrings.