Highland Park Players’ ‘The Prom’ by rights should open doors wide for fresh talent
The Company. Photo by Highland Park Players.
When the gloriously anthemic and ballad-laden musical The Prom toured Chicago in 2021, this reviewer predicted its long future in licensing. Well, the Illinois Theatre Association selected the hilariously poignant musical for its all-state show, to be performed at Theatrefest in early 2025. But apparently, none of our fabulous regional houses has yet been convinced to host a fresh Prom.
To the rescue: Highland Park Players. The mostly professional community theatre company puts on a high-energy, praiseworthy Prom. They gray the line between community and professional theatre, and we’re willing to bend our usual professionals-only criteria, particularly due to the talent of the leading players.
Heartbreak, hilarity, bullying, transformation, tenderness, social justice, acceptance and love are just a handful of emotional roads traveled in a show that reminds audiences what Broadway musicals are supposed to be. It's particularly important these days with the ongoing political hatred thrown in the direction of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Mirroring real-life events in Itawamba County, MS, The Prom follows Emma, a student banned from prom, and Alyssa, her not-yet-out girlfriend whose mother is head of the PTA. For comic relief, into this mean-spiritedly heartbreaking story come four down-on-their-luck Broadway musical theatre has-beens and wannabes who trek to Emma’s hometown expecting publicity for trading in their narcissism to fight against the town's conservative bent.
The strength in Wilmette comes from the company’s vocal chops. Hannah Kipp as Emma and Chloe Hayes as Alyssa deliver Broadway-quality renditions of signature songs, “Unruly Heart” and “Alyssa Greene,” respectively, and “Dance with You” together. Leading the disgruntled do-gooders from the Big Apple is big-voiced Christina Pfenninger as diva Dee Dee. Casting directors, take note: her impressive local resume sets her up for next-level auditions at Chicagoland’s bigger regionals. Robin Trevino is hilarious as Dee Dee’s egomaniacal counterpart Barry; Jessica Means as a lifer ensemble dancer delivers the perfect “Zazz”; Elijah Warfield as unemployed Julliard grad Trent Oliver is terrific in both his solos "The Acceptance Song" and "Love Thy Neighbor."
In addition to these six, plaudits to Abigail Adjei-Perberg as Mrs. Greene, Alyssa’s mom and conservative PTA president. Both her character and hair arcs are memorable, as is her booming voice. So, too, does Drew Longo deliver an understatedly grand performance as high school principal and Dee Dee fan, Mr. Hawkins. His late first act ode to theatre, “We Look to You,” is simply lovely. The large cast of fine singers and dancers particularly shines with splendid harmonies in the tear-jerking “Unruly Heart.” The local production is directed by Laura Katz, music directed by Ken Preuss, and choreographed by Dominique Ruffalo.
Here's still hoping this tender, hilarious show catches the attention of Paramount, Drury Lane or Marriott, if only to deliver its important message, wrapped in wit, to larger audiences. But this summer, patrons should walk that grayed line between community and professional theatre all the way to Wilmette, where Highland Park Players is hosting an all-inclusive prom, reminding us that, indeed, “It’s Time to Dance!”
The Prom runs through Aug. 25 at the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center, 1100 Laramie Ave., Wilmette. For tickets or more information, please call (224) 212-0477 or visit highlandparkplayers.org.
For more reviews on this or other shows, please visit theatreinchicago.com.