In Edgewater, Indiana, a local high schooler, Emma, is banned from going to prom with her girlfriend. Despite her principal’s effort to allow Emma to attend prom, his actions are not comparable with a group of washed-up Broadway actors’ songs and dance — which ultimately save the day.
That’s the premise of “The Prom” opened Oct. 24 and will continue until Sunday in Ruth N. Halls Theatre, inside the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center in Bloomington. The cast, which consists mostly of IU students, began rehearsal during the second week of classes.
"The Prom” is a light-hearted reflection on inclusion and attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community, performative activism and self-discovery.
While Edgewood is a fictional town, Indiana hits close to home for audience member Chris Woods, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
“I think it hits really hard having a show based in Indiana, performed in Indiana,” Woods said.
Woods attended Tuesday night for an assignment in his Introduction to Acting class and out of support for his friends in the cast. Being a theater fan, he frequently attends IU Theatre Department productions.
“Of course, I have a lot of friends in it, so I’m a little biased in that way, but I thought the ensemble was killer,” Woods said. “I got to say that Ryan (Skurnak) as Barry was the standout for me. He had so much heart in that role, I just loved watching him up there.”
Skurnak, a fourth-year musical theatre major, plays Barry Glickman. Glickman is an aging, narcissistic, Broadway star who teams up with his other actor friends to get more public attention. He relates to Emma, bonding over their shared community and experiences of discrimination because of their sexuality.
Madeline Pirretti, the show’s assistant house manager, said the themes of inclusion of marginalized groups stood out to her most. Her job focuses on scanning tickets, setting the house up for the show, helping students get attendance for classes and cleaning up the theater afterward.
“I think it’s really nice to have something like that on a college campus because there are so many people with such different identities,” Pirretti said.
Pirretti is a freshman finance major in the Kelley School of Business and only started her job as assistant house manager about a month ago. She’s originally from New Jersey and is still finding her place within IU.
“I know it can feel isolating when you feel like you don’t really have a place,” Piretti said. “I think this show does a really good job of saying you do have a place here, and no matter what you are, there will be a community who will support you.”
Britney Ho, a senior musical theatre major, played the role of Mrs. Greene, the mom in charge of the Parent Teacher Association. Greene was the main protester against Emma attending prom with her girlfriend. Ho was in the lobby with her parents after the show, celebrating the culmination of months of hard work.
“Honestly, we do the same thing over and over again. Once we are in front of the audience it feels new and fresh again,” Ho said. “But, sometimes, we take it for granted. Like, we can’t imagine what it’s like, but seeing people enjoy it and hearing laughter, it feels good.”
While “The Prom” contains dramatic, over-the-top satire, the message about LGBTQ+ identity and inclusion is not lost on Lucy Ferguson. Ferguson is a senior musical theatre major, dance captain of the production and ensemble cast member.
“I’m really glad we’re doing this musical here, in this time, because there’s a lot going on politically, and that my peers and friends who identify as queer get to live in a space of, like, this is my story and it’s something I want to tell,” Ferguson said.
“The Prom” will be Ferguson’s last major production at IU, and she will be doing one more show in Bloomington before graduation, which is “A Christmas Story” at Constellation Stage and Screen.
“Seeing my work ethic, and my friends — we are all musical majors hoping to do this for a career — it’s so inspiring to watch and be a part of,” Ferguson said.
“The Prom” will continue until Sunday inside Ruth N. Halls Theatre. Tickets are available online or in person at the box office.
