Fri 4/12-Sun 4/28
The 2016 play The Prom 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 (home of the prudish former VP Mike Pence) to advocate for a young woman who wants to defy her community by bringing her girlfriend to the prom. This leads to a social media campaign headed by the four actors which creates dissension and chaos as they try to change the minds of those voters who made Pence Indiana governor.
The play is filled with comedy, music and dance numbers, needed even more now since things have taken such an ugly turn in the last eight years and LGBTQ+ people have become scapegoats and punching bags for the far right.
Last summer Porthouse Theatre on the grounds of Blossom Music Center took on the play as their season opener. Now it’s Near West Theatre’s turn.
“The Prom asks all of its characters to work toward cross-cultural understanding, encouraging conversation rather than preaching,” says director Colin Anderson. “At the same time — and this is essential — it leaves absolutely no room for continued oppression or harm. When we leave enough room to learn about each other, we leave enough room to love each other in our entirety.”
The show runs through Sunday April 28. Get tickets at nearwesttheatre.org.
Cleveland, OH 44102