The Prom (On Your Feet Australia), at Teatro at the Italian Forum - 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval

The idea for this Broadway musical emerged from an ugly truth. Inclusion is the theme. Comedy is the vehicle.

The Prom has its Australian debut at a new home for musical theatre in Sydney’s west, Teatro at the Italian Forum.

A high profile, Tony Award-winning actress, Dee Dee Allen (Caroline O’Connor) and leading man Barry Glickman (Brendan Monger) are extreme narcissists.

Now, they have been hit by the karma bus.

Yet another show they star in has been forced to close due to terrible reviews. 

Photos by Robert Miniter

Still only thinking of themselves, they team up with two washed-up actors.

There is down on his luck Juilliard School graduate Trent Oliver (Thern Reynolds) and life-long chorus girl Angie Dickerson (Bella McSporran).

The four collectively look to reboot their tarnished image.

It is Angie who comes across a cause they believe they can hang their hats on.

They determine they will side with a lesbian teenager named Emma Nolan (Sophie Montague) who lives in the backwater town of Edgewater in Indiana.

Her school prom was cancelled after she wanted to bring along her girlfriend of a year and a half, fellow student Alyssa Green (Paige Fallu).

Alyssa hasn’t come out yet and happens to be the daughter of strong-willed, conservative PTA head Mrs Green (Erin Bruce).

In Emma’s court is school principal Mr Hawkins (Scott Irwin), a fan of Dee Dee Allen’s work.

So, it is that the four actors, with PR manager Sheldon Saperstein (Brad Green) in tow, descend upon Edgewater.

Proudly gay Barry Glickman immediately takes Emma under his wing.

But Dee Dee – who takes a shine to Mr Hawkins – finds it near on impossible to consider anyone but herself.

This story will take more than a few extra turns.

Emma hasn’t invited, and doesn’t like, the focus on her, but inevitably it is.

Dealing with a pair of mean girls, Kaylee (Nina Hurley) and Shelby (Abbey McPherson) is just the start.

With music by Matthew Sklar, book by Rob Martin and Chad Beguelin and lyrics by the latter, The Prom was originally staged in Atlanta, Georgia in August 2016.

It officially opened on Broadway in November 2018.

I mentioned that the musical had at its foundation reality.

That involved a senior student named Constance McMillen in Fulton, Mississippi, who in 2010 was banned from attending her school prom.

She found support from several celebrities. 

Teatro’s rendition of The Prom is a delightful hoot, headlined by one of Australia’s great musical theatre performers in Caroline O’Connor, who doesn’t disappoint.

With those golden tonsils and wonderful stagecraft, O’Connor is dynamic and showy, just as her role calls for.

Matching her, stride for stride, is the equally evocative, vocally dextrous Brendan Monger, who is so impressive as the male lead.

He leans into it as if wearing a most comfortable pair of old slippers.

Sophie Montague brings a big voice and integrity to her pivotal characterisation of Emma.

The same, critical authenticity is evident in Scott Irwin as Mr Hawkins.

Erin Bruce plays for keeps as the no nonsense Mrs Green.

Paige Fallu is vivacious at Alyssa.

Thern Reynolds and Bella McSporran make the most of their “look at me” moments, while Sheldon Saperstein is noteworthy as the pragmatic, bespectacled PR agent.

Nina Hurley and Abbey McPherson generate the desired attitude as the ignorant girls all too willing to diss Emma.

They, together the other leads and an enthusiastic ensemble, ensure that The Prom leaves a positive, indelible impression.

The chorus numbers are terrific. 

They are aided by a talented orchestra, under the guidance of musical director Craig Renshaw.

The transition between scenes is seamless and Nathan M. Wright’s choreography slick.

The glitzy costuming by Cornelia Cassimatis is so much fun, while the set design by Nick Fry is also suitably colourful.

The lighting design by Roderick Van Gelder and sound design by Niamh Sinclair hit all the right notes (if you pardon the pun).

With a solid emotional core, The Prom is a musical that is highly energetic, entertaining and engaging.

Winner of the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, it is playing at Teatro at the Italian Forum in Leichhardt until 26^th April, 2026.