Thespianism Rules High Power, High Impact Show About Acceptance With No Exceptions.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BROWARD COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — In a state where members of a certain political party want you to believe that it’s not okay to “say gay” in public school, the choice of Broward Center’s resident theater company to stage “The Prom” as prom season approaches is as daring as two girls fighting small minds in their quest to — as they sing — dance with each other.
While the show is set in Indiana, it could just as easily be current-day Florida, where communities once open to alternative lifestyles are now overrun with fear and hate — often led by politicians seeking the spotlight of conservative-leaning networks financed by paranoia. In the show, it’s not politicians that are fighting two high school girls in a relationship, it’s a PTA-version of what Florida knows as “Moms For Liberty” — an all knowing self-righteous, anti-gay group that believes it can dictate what’s best for parents and their children. (Of course, in the real-life Florida version, one of the female leaders of anti-gay Moms For Liberty was in a secret three-way relationship with her female neighbor in Sarasota. No word if that will become a musical called “The Hypocrite.”)
The one-time Broadway hit, which launched a national tour just before COVID struck, was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical. It nabbed the Drama Desk award for Outstanding Musical in 2019. The Slow Burn Theater Company’s version will easily be a contender for the local Carbonell awards.
Slow Burn’s “The Prom,” under the always solid directorial leadership of Patrick Fitzwater, features a top-notch cast that owns the stage. Regina Brown (Emma Nolan), Sarah Lash (Alyssa Greene), Henry Haines (Barry Glickman), Darius Manuel (Sheldon Saperstein), Margot Moreland (Dee Dee Allen), Michael Hunsaker (Trent Oliver), Shelley Keelor (Mrs. Greene), Chaz Rose (Mr. Hawkins), and Shannon Mullen (Angie Dickinson) all deliver knockout performances that make you believe that what you are watching is real.
Slow Burn’s ensemble makes The Prom feel big — turning in performances worthy of Broadway. Lauren Abraham, Dalton Bertolone, Tim Canali, Austin Carroll, Daniella Castoria, John Cavaseno, Madeline Dunn, Melissa Goldberg, Kevin Hincapie, Nicole Piro, Joey Rodriguez, Emily Tarallo, Paul Tuaty, Ashley Valent, Corey Vega, and Anneliese Wolfange.
A live orchestra hits The Prom home: Ryan Crout (Musical Director/Keyboard 1), Karen Nagy (Keyboard 2), Julie Jacobs (Drums), David Winograd (Bass), Chris Vallone (Guitar/Banjo), Ricardo Esquilin (Trumpet), Mike Baloch (Trombone), Rick Kissinger (Reed 1), Kevin Shinskie (Reed 2), Georgetta Miller (Violin), Madalina Macovei (Cello).
Slow Burn’s “The Prom” is a spectacular display of music and message, with superb singing, acting, and choregraphy. The show runs through April 7th at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Buy tickets here. And you can say “gay” as much as you want.
