Theatre

THE PROM: A New Musical Comedy Opens Charleston Stage’s 2023-24 Season

Published

1 year ago

August 3, 2023

Featured (Left to Right): Charleston Stage Acting Ensemble Member Lara Swallen as Dee Dee Allen, Charleston Stage Resident Actor Jhonika Wright as Emma Nolan, and Joseph Spiotta as Barry Glickman in The Prom. Photo by Reese Moore Photography

Press Release

The Prom, a brash new musical comedy that took Broadway by storm and lit up the screen in the Netflix adaptation starring Meryl Streep, comes to the Dock Street Theatre to open Charleston Stage’s 46th MainStage season! From the creative team behind Elf! The Musical and The Drowsy Chaperone, this Drama Desk-winner and Tony-nominee tells the story of four Broadway has-beens in search of a way to restore their failing careers. They fly off to Indiana to help Emma, a 17-year-old who has been barred from taking her girlfriend to prom by her school’s PTA. When their messy and self-centered attempts at activism make things worse, the Broadway stars and locals alike have to face the music and look beyond their differences to discover that they’re all dancing to the same beat. The Prom’s message of learning how to form a true community, complete with show-stopping dance numbers and magnificent vocals, is sure to lift your heart.

With Book & Lyrics by Chad Beguelin, Book by Bob Martin, and Music by Matthew Sklar, Charleston Stage’s The Prom features direction by Artistic Director Marybeth Clark, who most recently directed Native Gardens and The Addams Family: A New Musical.

“At its core The Prom explores identity, self-acceptance, and others’ expectations,” stated Director Marybeth Clark. “This musical is a joyous journey through the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of adolescence. I find it a wonderful reminder that many issues that seem so insurmountable could be resolved if we took the time to consider the human element.”

Charleston Stage’s Managing Director Frank Mack added, “I’m excited for Charleston Stage audiences to see this uplifting, charming and funny musical. The Prom is a wonderful story, told through beautiful music, and I know our audiences will enjoy every minute.”

The Prom’s leading cast features Resident Actors Jhonika Wright as Emma and Gracie Brantley as Alyssa Greene. Audiences may remember Wright from her starring role as Ti Moune in last season’s Once On This Island. Other leading roles feature Acting Ensemble Member Lara Swallen as Dee Dee Allen (Tanya Chesham-Leigh in Mamma Mia!), local actors Joseph Spiotta as Barry Glickman, Clyde Moser as Mr. Hawkins (Armand Beauxhomme in Once On This Island), and Jenna Newman as Mrs. Greene, along with Acting Ensemble Members Ryan Pixler as Trent Oliver (Mal Beineke in The Addams Family: A New Musical) and Dayna Nevers as Angie Dickinson (Caroline in A Christmas Carol). Additional actors from Charleston Stage’s Resident Acting Company, Acting Ensemble and local acting community round out the 28-member ensemble cast.

Performances run August 23rd through September 17th at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. For tickets, visit CharlestonStage.com.