By Marilyn Jozwik
Musicals are an escape. Seated amid all the singing and dancing you might find yourself immersed in a fantasy world, or maybe traveling back to another time. Perhaps the show sheds light on a cause, issue or a person larger than life.
In the case of “The Prom,” Waukesha Civic Theatre has created a celebration. The audience is surrounded by a joyous, unabashed celebration of acceptance and love of all the hues on the rainbow of humanity. Christopher Orth directs.
The story starts on Broadway, where two actors are scrambling for their next move after their show bombs. Reviews slam the stars, Dee Dee (Natalie Wikstrom) and Barry (Jason Peregoy), for their immense egos and inability to relate to their characters. Pairing up with two other washed-up stars, Angie (Shana Quandt) and Trent (Bennett Gillies), they decide to improve their image by lending their names and prestige to a worthy cause. They brainstorm causes after searching the Web – from Habitat for Humanity to the Electoral College – and come up with an Indiana high school girl, Emma (KyraJo Petit-Walla), who was banned from the school prom for wanting to bring another girl, Alyssa (Ryder Ruck), as her date. Rather than face further legal scrutiny, the homophobic PTA decides to cancel the prom. In the show, Emma remarks: “Note to self: Don’t be gay in Indiana.” Says Barry, “We’re going to help that little lesbian whether she likes it or not.”
A quintet from Broadway looking for a cause to help their narcissistic image come to Indiana to help Emma including Angie (Shana Quandt), Barry (Jason Peregoy), Dee Dee (Natalie Wikstrom), Trent (Bennett Gillies and Sheldon (Danny).
Along with their publicist, Shelson (Danny Slattery), the actors burst into a PTA meeting thinking their shaming of the group will help Emma’s chances to get to the prom. Instead, their presence creates even more anger and confusion for Emma, her girlfriend and the school. But the spunky Emma has an ace up her sleeve that just may punch her ticket to the big dance.
The musical, by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, with music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Beguelin, is based on true events that took place in Mississippi in 2010.
But rather than getting bogged down with the details and seriousness of the case, “The Prom” maintains lots of upbeat music (music director Thomas Dubnicka), sparkling dance (choreographer Ashley Patin) and loads of comedy. This cast is loose, but well-rehearsed so that all the energy can be centered on having fun, which translates into a good time for the audience as well.
Dee Dee (Natalie Wikstrom) and Principal Hawkins (Jeffrey Polak) share a tender moment in a scene from Waukesha Civic Theatre’s “The Prom.”
The Sunday matinee crowd was primed and pumped with hoots and hollers for many of the rousing numbers, such as “It’s All About Me,” in which Wikstrom’s Dee Dee shows off her amazing pipes as she sways her way through the Latin American vibe. We saw Wikstrom as the narrator in Sunset’s “Joseph” and she once again proves her song-and-dance talent and impeccable comedic timing.
Petit-Walla’s Emma is the perfect blend of likability and spunk in her march through the boggy paths of intolerance. Like Wikstrom, Petit-Walla is a belter and takes charge of musical numbers with gusto. Although I would have liked to have seen a softer, gentler side in “Dance With You,” as she explains, “I don’t want to be a symbol or cautionary tale” but “I just wanna dance with you.” Petit-Walla also displays some nifty dancing as she matches the sleek, slender moves of Quant’s Angie” in the “Zazz” number featuring Fosse-esque styles, à la “Chicago.”
As Trent, Gillies is a real audience favorite. His character fancies himself always in the spotlight, his conversations spiked with dramatic pronouncements. Gillies is totally connected to the audience and such a joy to watch as he milks the comedy to perfection. He takes center stage with abandon in the crowd-pleasing production number “Love Thy Neighbor.”
Alyssa (Ryder Ruck) and Emma (KyraJo Petit-Walla) try to make sense of their situation in a scene from Waukesha Civic Theatre’s “The Prom.”
All roles here are really well-done. Peregoy as Barry has some super sweet moments with Emma, especially when he gets to pick out her prom wear. Jeffrey Polak as the empathetic principal and big fan of Dee Dee contrasts all the drama with a nicely done steady, serious tone while Slattery’s broad movements and expressions give his character lots of humor.
So, if you’re looking for an escape from a cold, gloomy Wisconsin day, step inside the theater for a good time and top-notch entertainment at “The Prom.” Formalwear optional.
If you go:
Who: Waukesha Civic Theatre
What: “The Prom”
When: Through March 29
Where: 264 W. Main St., Waukesha
Info/Tickets: www.waukeshacivictheatre.org/262-547-0708