You can predict what the reviews will say before the next notice arrives!
These YA-kids over are STAR Ltd. are nightly changing lives! It’s such an important show to be producing right now that literally every theatre and their mother is doing it. Including STAR Ltd. (And they’ve got the ‘Apples’ and ‘Bees’ cast and this reviewer saw them both!) and their YA summer production, in partnership with the Chesapeake Arts Center. It’s the show of 2023 (every year gets one, folks…) and this year it’s The Prom. The show itself truly is groundbreaking, earth shaking— and really tragically relatable to everything that’s happening in our country. And these STAR kids are doing such a fantastic job of telling the story; you should go and see the prom that they’re building! Directed by Lauren Lowell with Musical Direction by Andrew Stewart with Choreography by Claire O’Donnell, this very, very popular musical lands loud and proud with STAR Ltd. this summer.
There’s some low-key scenery, some super LGBTQ+ affirming light designs, and lots of sparkly costumes. Those are all check-check-check when it comes to the must-haves of The Prom. And STAR Ltd. ticks those boxes with ease. The beautiful inclusive bunting that gets hung for the prom near the end of the show is really encouraging and supportive and that rainbow balloon arc is wild. Technical Director Kevin Bochinski keeps the set simple (which eases the overall flow of the production so that things keep moving along swiftly.) Elizabeth Fitzpatrick’s lighting design has a lot of wonderful moments that really brighten up the overall production experience, using a myriad of colors— including but not limited to the iconic colors of the gay rainbow flag and the lesbian/bi-sexual colors used against the big blank scrim during poignant musical moments— Fitzpatrick uses lighting to augment the overall performance, adding that splash of color when and where appropriate. Costumer Cami Neary matches the energy and efforts of the show’s lighting with lots of sparkle and sequins for all the various prom dresses that get featured throughout the performance. And Neary’s Godspell costumes are channeling that inner-free-spirit like nobody’s business.
Choreographer Claire O’Donnell focuses on the enthusiasm and energy levels, keeping the routines simple— with a lot of matching-partnered-foot kicks. The foot-kick in pairs seems to be a signature move found frequently throughout this production and is really fun to watch. O’Donnell features Elinor Bower, Zoe Kazanzides, Vivian Coolahan and Katie Bartles during “Tonight Belongs To Us” with fancy dance moves like a ‘coffee grinder’ and a cartwheel. In addition to all of the energetic and enthusiastic dancing, you get a great sound coming from the show’s live, three-person pit (MD and conductor on piano Andrew Stewart, Chris Pierorazio on drums, and Sean Brennan on guitar.) Stewart is fantastic at vamping in-between scenes to make sure that everything is just right and set and ready to roll on stage. And the sounds that he pulls out of these kids when they’re singing together is really powerful.
One of the most striking moments— a combined effort of Director Lauren Lowell’s blocking and Andrew Stewart’s musical direction— is during “Unruly Heart” with Emma Nolan and five feature performers (Liam Kuchinsky, Amelie Lauderbaugh, Kiryn Gioia, Amber Broadwater, Lily Viets) who all step forward, underlit by the glow of their phones, singing this beautiful, emotionally evocative song, and the rest of the cast fill in on the pyramid risers in the shadowy background, adding their voices to the mellifluous mix.
Where Director Lauren Lowell really succeeds with the production is in translating the age-gap. The show is very specifically written for ‘aging Broadway stars’ to be going against teens. (Obviously when you’re working with a teen-theatre program you’re only going to have teens) but the humors of the older characters don’t feel lost, and the comedic timing and delivery from these young performers is surprisingly spot-on. The give the show the emotional gravitas it deserves whilst still finding the heart and humor; it’s a solid production— with both the ‘Apples’ cast and the ‘Bees’ cast.
The ensemble— featuring Katie Bartles, Elinor Bower, Amber Broadwater, Emelyse Carney, Vivian Coolahan, Elsie Coulson, Maggie Franks, Leah Freeman, Kiryn Gioia, Nolan Hershfeld, Ben Horman, Ava Jackson, Zoe Kazanzides, Liam Kuchinsky, Amelie Lauderbaugh, Grace Marsh, Markella Meiller, Leah Pompanio-Alt, Henry Pound, Sofie Quick, Jeremiah Sacks, Lily Viets— are really bringing the supportive, fun-loving vibes all throughout the show. Whether they’re playing in the teen ensemble, the adult ensemble, the Godspell peoples, or they’re being pulled as a feature character (when principal players from the ‘Apples’ cast double-up in the ensemble for the ‘Bees’ cast and vice versa), all of these young performers are showcasing strong talent, a passion for the message behind the show, and an intense love and passion for theatre.
In the ‘Apples’ cast— there’s Katie Bartles as Angie Dickinson, Elinor Bower as Kaylee, Grace Marsh as Emma Nolan, and Sofie Quirk as Alyssa Greene. Bartles’ Angie has flare, sauce, razz, jazz, and Zazz, which she busts out with during a rousing pep-talk before leading into her big number “Zazz.” She does a full split to showcase just how much Zazz she’s working with, and her infectious razzmatazz really gets rolling onto Emma Nolan in this number. Elinor Bower as the Apples-Cast Kaylee is frigid and haughty, which makes for a really astonishing transition when a lot of the teens in town have a ‘talk-to-the-hand’ change of heart.
Sofie Quirk as Alyssa Greene is quiet, meager and reserved. You get the sense that she’s trying to be the perfect model daughter. Her voice alights with glee when she sings with Grace Marsh’s Emma Nolan, and the pair really find a burbling chemistry during their duet “Dance With You.” And you really get this sense of closeted loathing and desperate fear from Quirk’s Alyssa during her eponymous number, “Alyssa Greene.” Grace Marsh tackles Emma Nolan with emotional confidence even when the character doesn’t seem to have much confidence in anything that’s happening. She’s got an impressive range and belt to work with. Her rendition of “Just Breathe” is truly a breath of emotional turmoil that just gets you right in-line with her story from jump-street.
Over in the ‘Bees’ cast— there’s Vivian Coolahan as Angie Dickinson, Emelyse Carney as Kaylee, Markella Meiller as Emma Nolan, and Leah Freeman as Alyssa Greene. Coolahan’s Angie is delightfully vapid. It’s almost like she’s playing the character as bubbled-headed and blonde. But she’s got all the spins and twirls exactly where they should be in “Zazz” and she too drops into a wild split in that number. As Kaylee, Emelyse Carney also takes the space-cadet approach to the character, which almost gives you the impression that she might secretly be okay with Emma, if you know, it were popular to be out in Indiana.
Leah Freeman as Alyssa Greene has a hint of attitude about her character. You can see it when she almost gets to speak her mind at the PTA meeting, before her mother shuts her down. There’s a defiant pout and full-on facial protest, even if her back is to her mother, in that moment. And you feel that attitude when she tackles “Alyssa Greene” because the song becomes loaded with that sense of ‘being tired of putting up with her mother’s sh*t’ and just wishing she could live her own life. Markella Meiller as Emma Nolan plays up the milder, earnest side of Emma. The one who actually says she doesn’t want to start a riot or cause a fuss, she just wants to take a girl she likes to the prom. Meiller throws into soft-soprano head voice for some of the higher parts of Emma’s song, including “Unruly Heart” which makes it really sweet and touching to hear.
Appearing as listed in both the ‘Apples’ and ‘Bees’ cast, Zoe Kazanzides as Shelby, Nolan Hershfeld as Kevin and Henry Pound as Nick, showcase a good time during “You Happened” and really come into their own during “Love Thy Neighbor”— the transformation song of becoming open-minded. Eli Horman, playing Sheldon (the PR-agent-tagalong character?) is a refreshing breath of deadpan delivery to The Prom. Horman has this almost bland sarcasm to his delivery, which reads like a papercut— slick, unexpected, and stinging for days. It actually elevates the character to a different plane of humor with this very stoic and almost monotone approach that Horman is taking. And if you want a good character chuckle that isn’t deadpan comedy, keep your eyes and ears out for Jeremiah Sacks, who is featured as the ‘Monster Truck Rally Announcer’. He’s a scream and earns all the laughs with his announcement.
Nobody likes having to portray the villain (unless it’s a silly villain in a Disney show where the villain gets cool songs and a great costume!) but Jenna Dodge does a wonderful job at making us despise the character of Mrs. Greene. She’s a bit more physically animated than one might expect, but it actually reads as somewhat of a send-up to certain political figures of those same ideologies. Her rigid and clipped deliveries really drive home just how awful it can be when people let their fears of the unknown keep their minds closed. (Though do look out for Dodge at the finale-prom, where she seamlessly slips into the teen-ensemble in a gorgeous golden Greek-inspired dress— that dress is fierce!)
Starstruck and stumbling over himself, Principal Hawkins (Gabe Viets) is just as humorous as he is serious in this production of The Prom. Viets finds the balance between babbling and fawning over Dee Dee Allen and trying to set the world to rights for Emma Nolan at James Madison High School. And he’s got a solid, clear voice that carries well for the only solo assigned to the character, “We Look To You.” His interactions with the Dee Dee Allen character are a range of wild and entertaining, everything from their initial encounter right up to their ‘special moment’ during the finale-prom is just engaging and feels authentic.
Lily Metz is taking the caricature approach to Trent Oliver and its working out just fine. There are definitely some moments where Metz says a heck of a lot, by saying nothing at all and letting their body language and facial expressions do all the talking. It’s pretty hilarious. Metz navigates the tricky waters of playing a much older character who then has to ‘relate’ to ‘teenagers’ and does a really convincing job of it. They bring a lot of spunk and fun to the number “Love Thy Neighbor” and they really get the whole stage and audience bouncing along to this jingly, jangly, upbeat tune. They— like everyone playing ‘adult’ in this production— have a firm handle on comic delivery and timing.
Someone roll out a red-carpet runway because Matthew Dietrich is making Barry Glickman fierce and in a fun way! The facial expressions will have you busting a gut laughing, the flamboyant gestures play right into the wheelhouse of the character, and Dietrich fully understands the affectations of the character in addition to having a solid voice, which really carries well during “Tonight Belongs to You” and later during “Barry’s Going to Prom.” Dietrich never stops moving— even when the character is sitting still there is this internal vibration that makes itself felt and known— and when Dietrich’s Barry is actually moving, it’s like a busy-bee blur, which totally works for the character.
You definitely cannot silence Ella Juengst, who clearly is known for her belt. And belt her face off she does in the role of Dee Dee Allen. If you didn’t know she was a young performer in her final performance-year with STAR, you would think you were watching a middle-aged personality (who had celebrity-grade facial magic going on) roar her way through this show. Juengst masters the notion of ‘celebrity’ as defined by Dee Dee Allen, really laying that cocky-narcissist-persona on thick. When she storms the gymnasium and busts out into “It’s Not About Me” you’ve got all eyes on her. And all ears on her. (And when you’re not watching her you should watch all the kids around her going nuts at how over the top she is— it’s the perfect combination of things happening in that number.) “The Lady’s Improving” is another number that gives the audience a great showcase of Juengst’s vocal talents, and she too has a firm grasp of comedy and how to do it.
Ultimately all the young performers involved with the production bring something unique and special to the production. It’s a talented bunch of kids who sing strong and with passion and emotion, move energetically with all the enthusiasm and joy this show deserves, and they tell an earnest and honest important story that feels so important, especially right now. Don’t miss your chance to see these young performers give The Prom their all this summer!
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes with one intermission
The Prom plays through August 6th 2023 with STAR Ltd. on the main stage of the Chesapeake Arts Center— 194 Hammonds Lane in Brooklyn Park, MD. Tickets are available at the door or in advance online.
The ‘Apples’ Cast performs on Friday August 4th at 7:00pm and Saturday Aug 5th at 2:00pm.
The ‘Bees’ Cast performs on Saturday Aug 5th at 7:00pm and Sunday Aug 6th at 2:oopm.
