Ridgefield Theater Barn's production of The Prom is a heartwarming and thought-provoking celebration of individuality and acceptance. The talented cast, led by Audra James as Emma, Marilyn Olsen as DeeDee Allen, Anthony Laszlo as Barry Glickman, Rachel Rosado as Angie Dickinson, and Michael Valinati as Trent Oliver deliver standout performances that captivate the audience from start to finish.
The show tells the story of Emma, an Indiana high school student that just wants to take her girlfriend to the Prom. The local PTA steps in to protect "The Children...." and it makes it to Twitter. Meanwhile, In New York City, a quartet of self-absorbed Broadway performers, coming off a horrendous opening night, decide to find a cause to polish up their images. One scroll
through Twitter (Now X) lands them in small town Indiana coming to "rescue" Emma and be her champions. Things do not go to plan, and everyone, from the ensemble to the stars, travel growth arcs of action with beautiful toe tapping music by Matthew Sklar, and a sweet parable in the book and lyrics by Chad Beguelin/book by Bob Martin.
Ms. James’ Emma anchors the show with her midwestern charm and vocal chops, reeling us in one great song after another. The duet "Dance With You" with Ms Sussman's Alyssa, is poignantly beautiful.
The Broadway "Stars" are hilarious, with all four of them at the top of their game. The
juxtaposition of their lives and narcissisms play so well against the midwestern small town, and in the end, all of them grow, and find their empathic humanity.
Mr. Laszlo as Barry Glickman walks the tightrope of camp and humanity expertly, and Ms. Olsen's Deedee is Faith Prince incarnate, with a powerhouse voice and depth of feeling that keeps this role, which could be played as a two-dimensional caricature, firmly rooted in a three dimensional tour de force.
Speaking of powerhouse voices, it is not until the 10th number and just two from the end of the first act before we hear Mr. Hawkins played by Fred Rueck sing. But sing he does in the number "We Look To You" with one of the warmest baritones around, serving tenderness and strength simultaneously.
Michael Valinati as Trent Oliver takes the ensemble to school with his hilarious 2nd act number, "Love Thy Neighbor" and Ms. Rosado in her duet with Ms. James "Zazz," is breathtaking. I would be remiss if I didn't mention Karen Warheit's Mrs. Greene. the PTA head spearheading the opposition to Emma's participation in the Prom.
As antihero's go, she does a yeoman's job of being the villain while at the same time, revealing the grey areas of the heart. The ensemble’s energy is infectious, with highlights including Zach Hudson as Sheldon Saperstein, Sarah Paschal as Shelby, Zoe Anderson as Kaylee, David Chuba as Kevin, Robert Failia as Nick, and Kristin Aug as Mrs. Greene's Friend. The supporting cast, both adult and teen, brings an incredible level of talent and enthusiasm to the stage, including Heather Burlant, Garrett Levine, Liza Kaplan Montanino, Benjamin Olsen, Carlie Zucker, Matthew Donovan, Denise Hubbard, Katie Kelly, Craig David Rosen, Jasmin Salas, Kimberly Shay, and Charlotte Walsh. Every single member of the Ensemble has a distinct character that carried through all their appearances, and just the logistics of having them all on stage dancing shows the commitment to the piece and the respect for the choreography. Director Debra Lee Failla's inspired direction, Bonnie Gregson's on-point and technically impressive choreography, and John Failla's perfect musical direction of the talented live
orchestra create a seamless and exhilarating production. The show's energy is palpable, and the cast clearly pour their hearts into every number.
Overall, The Prom at Ridgefield Theater Barn, now in its 60th season, is a must-see for fans of the classic musical. The talented cast, combined with the energetic direction and choreography, create a truly unforgettable experience celebrating love, acceptance and the power of change.
Performances take place Friday and Saturday evenings from September 6th through September 28th at 8pm, with Sunday matinees September 15th and 22nd at 5pm.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES: Friday, September 13 - Family Night! (no alcohol), including
Pre-Show Community Panel on Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth; Sunday, September 15th, Pay-What-You-Want matinee. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors/students/veterans. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Tickets can be purchased at ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org.