By Michael Buzzelli
When a series of bad reviews pummel a group of narcissistic actors, they decide to champion a cause to garner good publicity in “The Prom.”
After an internet search, they find Emma Nolan (KB Bradley), who wants to take her girlfriend to the high school prom. The local PTA, headed by the homophobic Mrs. Greene (Nikki Young), rallies the parents together to cancel the prom. Her classmates blame Emma for the cancellation of the prom.
That’s when Dee Dee Allen (Jess Whittington), Barry Glickman (Dixie Surewood), Trent Oliver (Chad Elder), Angie Dickinson (Tonilynn Jackson), with their agent Sheldon Sapperstein (Randy Dicks) in tow, invade the small Indiana town to “help” Emma.
The unwanted attention is freaking out Emma and her secret girlfriend, cheerleader Alyssa Greene (Alawna Mallory), daughter to the town’s biggest bigot.
Meanwhile, Dee Dee strikes up a fast friendship with the high school principal, Tom Hawkins (Steve Bruno).
The actors continue to meddle with disastrous results, however, each of the actors finding newfound empathy and compassion along the way.
Director Nik Nemec fills this version of “The Prom” with Zazz with a capital Z! His cast is tremendous, and he squeezes every ounce of humor out of every performer.
Bradley’s Emma was a joy, playing the role with unvarnished sincerity.
Whittington sparkles as Dee Dee Allen in every scene. She plays the character as bigger than Broadway and it works. She’s better than Meryl Streep in the movie version (Whittington can sing).
Surewood’s Barry Glickman steals every scene, even amongst a repertoire of scenery chewers. He’s big, bold and audacious, the quintessential Glickman. Its also a rare treat to see Dixie Surewood in boy drag.
Elder crushes his songs, especially the divinely-inspired, but deeply comical, “Love the Neighbor,” where he scolds a group of teens for their biblical hypocrisy in the most joyful way.
Jackson channels Bob Fosse with “Zazz,” a number she performs with Bradley. It pops.
Every actor in the show has their moment to shine, including some of the background characters. The cast is so committed.
Chelsea Fredrickson’s jazzy choreography is exuberant.
Frendt Projections provides magnificent projection design. It leveled up Jeff Way’s set in amazing ways. Everything was bright and beautiful, even the rundown motel and local Apples and Bees.
It’s the queerest, most joyful show, bursting at the seams with faith, hope and love. Trent Oliver would, most likely, quote Corinthians 13:13, “the greatest of these is love.”
“The Prom” is a triumph for Stage 62, the director, cast and crew.
-MB
“The Prom” runs until July 27 at the Greer Cabaret Theater, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For tickets and additional information, click here.
