Before the curtains in Kulp Auditorium opened for this year’s musical, a few members of the cast stepped forward and spoke a few words beforehand about the selection and production process of this year’s musical. By choosing The Prom, the IHS Drama department wanted to showcase a story fitting of our times. With the current divisive political climate, it is paramount that we remember to treat others with respect and kindness. The Prom is both a perfect reminder of this and also an opportunity to open discussions about the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and tolerance.
The Prom was directed by Gabriella De Silva Carr, choreographed by Donna Fondjo, with Jon Aldave as the pit conductor, Steve Brookhouse as the technical director, Ben Coddington as accompanist, Elizabeth Kitney as costume designer, and stage management run by Dylan Maxwell ’25, Madeline Tindall ’27, and Kathryn Holloway ’26. Featuring the work of seventeen seniors and with a doubled cast, this year’s performance was a large undertaking. Rehearsals took place four times a week from 4-7 pm, and lasted from the end of January up until the performance. The hard work and dedication from the cast and crew paid off though, as IHS’s rendition of The Prom ultimately was a glamorous presentation of an incredibly moving story with emotion, humor, happy endings, and a whole lot of “zazz.”
The Prom follows the (mis)adventures of four Broadway stars who, in an attempt to come back from scathing critics’ reviews of their last performance, decide to take on a “cause” in order to dispel rumors of their narcissism. This leads them to travel to Edgewater, a small town in Indiana where Emma Nolan, a teenager attending the local high school who just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom. What follows is a story full of laughs, tears, and growth. The Prom touches on many themes, such as the importance of unconditional acceptance, the importance of selflessness, and how love—in all of its forms—conquers all.
Both Chloe King ’25 and Ella Monroe-Wood ’25 (for the purple and green cast respectively) gave heart-rending performances as Emma Nolan. With moving songs like “Just Breathe” and “Unruly Heart,” both actors provided the audience with a window into the character’s experience as an LGBTQ+ teen in an unaccepting environment.
Zadie Wang ’26 (green cast) and Myn Adams ’25 (purple cast) both gave heart-wrenching performances as Alyssa Greene, Emma’s girlfriend. The central romance between Emma and Alyssa was incredibly sweet, with both casts giving lovely performances of the romantic ballad “Dance With You.” The actors for Emma and Alyssa in both casts broke hearts with the heartbreaking phone call scene in “Tonight Belongs To You,” as Emma faces homophobia and bullying while Alyssa struggles with coming out to her controlling mother.
Watching Mrs. Greene, Alyssa’s mother and the initially intolerant head of the PTA, grow and learn to accept her daughter was one of the most moving elements of the play’s story. The emotionality of Mrs. Greene’s arc is thanks to Una Kuo ’26, whose acting brought the character to life.
Throughout the performance, the troupe of Broadway stars that visit Edgewater added everything from feel-good songs, to touching moments, to clever quips and jokes. Mars Beierle ’25 (green cast) and Lex Ward ’25 (purple cast), who played Barry Glickman both gave fantastic performances of the adorable song “Barry Is Going To Prom.” Angie Dickinson, played by Roxy Nelson ’26 for the green cast and Rowan Modisher ’25 for the purple cast, stunned in “Zazz,” the opener of the second act. Sparrow Faraday ’26 and Suzzie Morey ’25 (green and purple cast respectively) delivered some of the grooviest performances in the show with Trent Oliver’s feature, “Love Thy Neighbor.” Sheldon’s frantic PR work, delivered by Fiona Batten ’28 (green cast) and Jack Bonassar ’25 (purple cast), as well as the deadpan wit of James Arnold’s ’25 Principal Hawkins added well-timed comedic relief.
Lily Ryan ’25, who played Dee Dee Allen, the Broadway diva who is “known for her belt,” gave stellar performances in “It’s Not About Me” and “The Lady’s Improving.” Over the course of the show, the audience gets to see Dee Dee Allen’s character develop and grow from a self-obsessed celebrity to a caring and compassionate person. It is impossible to not fall in love with Dee Dee Allen’s character as one watches her fumble through her lessons in being a “good person” with Principal Hawkins inside the local Applebee’s.
The ensemble features throughout the show made the performance special, as they showcased the wide range of talent in the performance. The solos and dance breaks in “You Happened” and “Tonight Belongs to You” brought the fun to the performance and gave life to all of the characters.
The production team did an amazing job of creating a polished performance. The set of the play was incredibly unique, with digital backgrounds being meshed with physical props. The costumes were not only gorgeous but also reflected their characters well. The pit, which contained a mix of professional musicians and student players, worked seamlessly with the actors onstage to support them and create musical masterpieces. Overall, the quick costume changes, mood lighting, set design, and pit music all helped elevate the performance to a high level that managed to completely immerse the audience in the story.
While watching The Prom, it is impossible not to admire the talent, commitment, and love that went into this production. It is evident that both the cast and crew put their hearts and souls into creating this performance, and it paid off in full. Bravo to all of the actors, musicians, directors, designers, and crew members. From the first curtain open to the final bow, the night truly belonged to you.
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