The 2023 Leman Main Stage will be a production of The Prom, an inspiring story about self-discovery by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, first performed in 2016.
Following the lengthy audition process, the cast list was announced on November 6th, leaving many Leman students thrilled. Alina Garcia and Alex Scotti return to the stage joined by Paloma Alonso and Dylan Rivera-Thomas as washed-up Broadway stars who attempt to salvage their careers by taking on Emma Nolan (played by Caelyn Osbern) as a social justice cause. Emma has to face the struggles of a forbidden love with Alyssa Greene (played by Audrey Eusebio) as the two meet the challenge of being a gay couple in a small, close-minded town in Indiana. The show follows their journey of self-discovery as they seek to fight for acceptance and open the hearts of their peers.
The Broadway group, joined by their manager Sheldon (played by Colette Mondschein), challenges Mrs. Greene (played by Stella Tretter), Alyssa's homophobic mother and the president of the PTA. They also receive support from the school's principal, Mr. Hawkins (played by Matthew Jeffers) in taking on the discrimination directed at Emma.
Camila Passos, who is playing Shelby, said this about the audition process, "It was a new experience for me since I've never done an audition before, but I really enjoyed it. People were very nice and supportive, especially during the callbacks. It was very animated, and really just a lot of fun." She then talked about how the story was significant to her, "The story of The Prom is a very important for our community. It touched me because I suffer a lot from discrimination. Nowadays, people are much more supportive, but it means a lot how she fights against discrimination."
The story of The Prom' is very touching for many students, as it talks deeply about themes such as self-identity, sexuality, and gender. Ensemble member Zachary Grant said, "The Prom is significant to me because the story makes me think about my friends, classmates, and other acquaintances that I have who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. It also allows for plenty of creative outlets as I create a character that fits into the universe of The Prom, and it will be an experience that I can continue to take with me."
The musical was then adapted into a movie in 2020, starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and James Corden. With a talented cast, uplifting music, and heartwarming themes of self-discovery, The Prom is sure to be a hit when it comes to the Leman Stage with performances starting March 2nd.
Ms. Partee, head of the props crew, added, “The process has been really exciting! I have just taken on the role of props coordinator and so I've got a student crew working on the props and we have parent volunteers … I think anybody who has ever worked on a show knows it is always a lot of hard work for everyone involved, but it's such a team effort. I’m also excited to see the students who are not on stage, students who are working backstage, behind-the-scenes, sort of that invisible force making everything happen. I’m looking forward to getting to see their work as well.”
When asked about the outcome Ms. Partee says, “In terms of what I think the outcome will be, I know it's going to be amazing. I absolutely know without a doubt that it's going to be a meaningful show. It's going to resonate with the audience on a lot of different levels. I think the audience will laugh a lot, there's so much comedy and funny moments but it's also a very poignant story with an important message”
The Prom will have three performances on March 2nd, 3rd and 4th. With its empowering and relevant themes, The Prom is sure to be an unforgettable experience.