Fri 7/21-Sun 8/6
Porthouse Theatre, located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, presents The Prom, with a book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, with lyrics by Chad Beguelin and music by Matthew Sklar.
The 2016 play revolves around four has-been Broadway stars who decide to attract some attention — both for themselves and the issue of LGBTQ rights — when they head to Indiana to advocate for a young woman who wants to defy local opinion to bring her girlfriend to the prom. It’s really gotten to be a serious situation since 2016 but the play is filled with comedy, music and dance numbers. So it’s pretty clear they don’t run into former Indiana governor Mike Pence, a man utterly without a sense of humor who thinks the marriage equality decision, 2015’s Obergefell v. Hodges, somehow interfered with his religious freedom. And I can’t imagine him dancing.
Some of the area’s theater heavy hitters helm the show including Porthouse producing artistic director, who directs, and noted area choreographer Martín Céspedes. Music direction is by Alexandre Marr. And returning to Porthouse to play one of the down-on-his luck actors is the former director of the School of Theatre and Dance, Eric van Baars, who retired in 2022 after acting, choreographing and directing many Porthouse productions. He says, “The Prom is a fabulous musical with a great message, lots of laughs and a huge heart. The story touches me deeply.”
Get tickets here.