REVIEW: Deeply Inspiring “Prom” at Moline’s Music Guild Dazzles With Heart and Humor
Partly because I’m a writer, I love reading director’s notes in theater programs.
They give you insight into what you’re about to see, and are helpful especially if you’re not familiar with a show. “The Prom” at Quad City Music Guild is one of the best shows I’ve seen at the Moline theater, for many reasons, and director Mike Turczynski articulates the importance of the peppy, inspirational, profoundly moving musical.
He says it’s a story about “acceptance, authenticity, and the courage to live your truth,” both joyously entertaining but with a foundational message that feels more urgent now than ever. Turczynski (who obviously shows deep affection for both the hammy, flamboyant characters and the down-to-earth, lovely teenage couple at its center) says we’re living in such a polarizing, divisive society today.
Addie Jorgensen, left, as Emma and Shay Schehl as Alyssa in “The Prom” at Music Guild.
Unfortunately, our current federal government is showing cruel, unjustified disdain for all efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion, particularly hurtful toward the LGBTQ community.
“The Prom” holds up a mirror to society and reveals how to make a real, positive impact. The Broadway stars in the story – narcissists with a heart of gold played to perfection by Tim Dominicus, Shana Kulhavy, Melissa Anderson Clark, and Daniel Williams – arrive in small-town Indiana with good intentions, to help the 17-year-old lesbian Emma (a glowing, winning Addie Jorgensen). Turczynski says that while they first aim to help their own careers, what makes their journey meaningful is when they understand their allyship requires humility, listening and showing up consistently.
“The Prom” features (L-R) Mike Van Belle, Addie Jorgensen, Luke Vermeire, Shana Kulhavy, Daniel Williams, Melissa Anderson Clark and Tim Dominicus.
The director describes Jorgensen’s beautiful, sensitive performance precisely – “Her strength is not loud, but it is unwavering.” In a musical, with bright lights and brassy songs, it’s often hard to stand out, but the triumph of Jorgensen as Emma is dazzling because of that quiet dignity, that she just wants to be who she is and love who she loves, and she emerges victorious after that struggle (especially crushing at the close of Act I). We see that intolerance and acceptance should not be up for debate.
In his note, Turczynski says acceptance and empathy are our responsibility. “It requires more than words. It asks us to act with kindness, to be uncomfortable sometimes, and to continue showing up even when no one is watching.”
Michael Van Belle as Principal Hawkins, and Shana Kulhavy as Dee Dee Allen.
“The Prom” premiered on Broadway in 2018, with a lively, tender, very funny book by Bob Martin (“The Drowsy Chaperone”) and Chad Beguelin (“Aladdin”), based on an original concept by Jack Viertel, and Matthew Sklar (“Elf The Musical,” “The Wedding Singer”) wrote the great music. While it’s got such a serious, good-for-you, vegetable-like center, the show is surrounded by a sparkly, sugary, candy-coated surface.
I loved this show so, so much for its unruly heart, bountiful humor, its inspiring message, infectious energy, and both the big, over-the-top personalities, and rooting for the unpretentious, sweet-natured, very human girls who just want to enjoy their prom. Partly because I had a disastrous prom at my own high school, I envied the happy ending promised here, after witnessing the drama, tears, and hard-won battle to get there.
Addie Jorgensen, a 2023 Geneseo High alum, plays Emma Nolan in “The Prom.”
We begin with the Broadway stars Dee Dee (Kulhavy) and Barry (Dominicus), who initially celebrate the opening of their musical based on Eleanor Roosevelt (he played FDR), but they’re deflated after friend Sheldon (a wonderful Luke Vermiere) reads the pivotal New York Times (my bible) review, which eviscerates the couple, in gleefully withering prose. One great line says the show is like paying a “gay drag queen to shove an American flag down your throat,” and that patrons would be better off using that money to buy a rope to hang yourself.
Sheldon tells them the problem wasn’t the show (which closed after opening night) but the actors themselves, since no one likes selfish narcissists. Barry (who is gay in real life, and becomes a mentor to Emma) refuses to give up and wants to find a cause that the quartet can champion to get the public back on their side. They learn about Emma, and storm into her high school, brandishing big protest signs, including one that proclaims “Bi-Furious.”
Tim Dominicus and Addie Jorgensen.
Jorgensen shines initially in Emma’s “I want” song, “Just Breathe,” about how it sucks to be gay in Indiana – two of my favorite lines: “It wouldn’t be high school without a test,” and “like we’ve discussed, just breathe.”
Shay Schehl plays her girlfriend Alyssa, who is more shy and afraid to come out publicly, particularly since her mom (a strong, strict conservative Julie Hummel) is the PTA president opposed to allowing gay students at prom. One of the many musical highlights is their glorious, heartwarming duet, “Dance With You,” which shouts out their love and showcases great harmonies between the young actresses.
Another beauty of “The Prom” is that the rich, accessible score (music directed here by Bailey Connors) gives each of the main characters a substantial spot to soar in a solo song, and the ensemble numbers are exhilarating with sharp, exciting choreography (here by Tori Hofer).
Williams seems to have a ball as the full-of-himself Trent, leading the two big preachy songs – “The Acceptance Song” and “Love Thy Neighbor,” showing the wisdom of not being a total dick, but a welcoming human. I loved the line about him playing Jesus three times, so he was crucified three times on stage, but 12 if you count the critics.
In a scene from “The Prom” (L-R), Dan Williams, Luke Vermiere, Melissa Anderson Clark, Shana Kulhavy, and Tim Dominicus.
Melissa Anderson Clark always is a joy to see perform, with her megawatt smile. As the stylish Angie, she shares a Bob Fosse story about the original “Chicago,” and leads this show’s version of “Razzle Dazzle,” with “Zazz” at the top of Act II of “The Prom,” giving advice to Emma. Kulhavy stands out in “The Lady’s Improving” and Dominicus bonds with Emma’s character, helping her find a prom dress and then celebrating in “Barry Is Going to Prom.”
Michael Van Belle is touching and identifiable as the sympathetic hero, Principal Hawkins, who takes on Emma’s cause as a civil rights issue, standing up to Mrs. Greene, and romancing Dee Dee along the way. He definitely speaks for me when he says straight people love Broadway too, and he pours his heart out to her, urging her to never give up, in the show love letter to theater, “We Look To You.” It is more than a distraction, but an escape that helps us heal. When the curtain comes up, it’s like we’re coming home; when the answer to each problem is to burst into song, and no one questions why people dance in thrilling unison.
The exuberant ensemble (led by Raelyn Bjorkman as Shelby and Mia Ward as Kaylee) shows that tremendous energy and enthusiasm in “You Happened,” “Tonight Belongs To You,” “Love Thy Neighbor,” “Unruly Heart” and the finale, “It’s Time to Dance.”
I honestly wish I could live in the world of “The Prom,” but if you’re lucky, you’ll get a chance to visit it. Music Guild performances will continue Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 20 at Prospect Park Theater, 1584 34th Ave., Moline. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under, available at 309-762-6610 or by visiting www.qcmusicguild.com.
The cast of Music Guild’s “The Prom,” running through July 20.
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