The article discussed a high school production of the musical “The Prom” by West Orange High School’s Thespian Troupe 1983. The show’s themes of acceptance and tolerance were well-executed by the ensemble, including Callie Huffman as the antagonist Mrs. Greene and Luciana DeFelice as Shelby, who also served as the Technical Director and choreographer. The crew, led by director Tara Whitman, put together an impressive show with seamless set changes, outrageous costumes designed by Cadence Zenkel, and fantastic music directed by John B. Dehaas. The high school students who participated in the production demonstrated the power of theater to change lives and inspire hope, even in the face of adversity. The article also touched on the importance of fighting for acceptance and tolerance in a world that sometimes tries to marginalize the LGBTQ+ community. Overall, the West Orange High School cast, crew, and community should be incredibly proud of their work.
West Orange High School Thespian Troupe 1983 Makes History With Their Production of THE PROM
The West Orange High School Thespian Troupe 1983 has achieved a historic milestone in Florida’s theatrical community with their production of THE PROM at the state Thespian festival in 2023. The show, with music by Matthew Skylar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and book by Beguelin and Bob Martin, is a courageous musical to perform, especially in Florida, considering the current state of mind.
The state Thespian festival attracts thousands of teenage theatre enthusiasts to downtown Tampa every year. During the festival, they are adjudicated in acting, musical theatre, and tech categories. Some of the high school shows, known as “mainstage productions,” are adjudicated beforehand by professionals and theatre educators and then brought to Tampa to be viewed and celebrated by their peers. This year’s fantastic lineup includes Brave New World, Boeing Boeing, Mamma Mia, The Crucible, and the highly buzzed-about production of THE PROM by West Orange High School.
Directed by Tara Whitman, a celebrated theatre teacher, West Orange High School is the first high school in the United States to stage the buoyant and flamboyant musical. The show heartily puts the gay in gaily and is a feel-good rainbow flag of a performance that is both thrilling and heartwarming. The young cast’s splendid work on the stage, combined with the reactions of numerous teenagers cheering the show and its gayness, make for an unforgettable experience.
Performing THE PROM is an act of bravery in the current state of Florida and mind. It is a show that depicts a beloved gay musical and is presented by a high school with a top-performing arts program. The feeling of performing this show in Florida in 2023 is akin to going back in time to 1965 in Selma, Alabama, to perform Dutchman or venturing to 1930s Germany to stage Cabaret. However, the West Orange High School Thespian Troupe 1983 has made history, and we give them our kudos.
THE PROM: A Feel-Good Musical That Tackles Current Issues
THE PROM is a show that makes your soul feel good, but it also tackles the reality of our current situation in Florida, much like the fictional James Madison High School in Indiana. This show is a poignant representation of what many high schools in Florida are experiencing today.
The story revolves around seventeen-year-old Emma, a lesbian who wants to take her girlfriend, Alyssa, to the Prom. Unfortunately, the homophobic Powers That Be cancel the festivities altogether. Enter a group of New York celebrities, including diva Dee Dee Allen and the ultra-gay Barry Glickman, who come to Indiana to help Emma. This sets off a chain of events that leads to the opening of a clandestine Prom, where everyone else in school, including Emma’s closeted girlfriend, shows up.
This plot may seem bizarre, but it is based on the true events that occurred in Mississippi in 2010. The cast and crew of this gigantic undertaking at West Orange High School are to be applauded. This is their third mainstage in recent years, with Pippin just last year and Bright Star a few years back.
While the acting and singing range from “oh-my-God” stellar to passable, it’s the goodwill and the breathtaking energy of the piece that make it worth seeing. The young performers on stage and the hardworking crew bring the show to life, and the joyous smiles on everyone’s faces leave a lasting impression. The performance, led by high school senior Megan Stringer as Dee Dee Allen, is a testament to the remarkable talent of these young actors.
Despite the lull in the beginning of Act 2, the show’s clever songs and the high energy of the performers keep the audience engaged. Megan Stringer’s crack comic timing and exceptional singing abilities make her portrayal of Dee Dee Allen unforgettable. As her partner in their Saving the Gays crusade, Kevin Mercier is hilarious as the scene-stealing Barry, wearing a colorful jacket that looks like a Jackson Pollack action painting.
Overall, THE PROM is a feel-good musical that tackles current issues, and West Orange High School’s Thespian Troupe 1983 has done an outstanding job of bringing this story to life. Their production of THE PROM is a historic milestone in Florida’s theatrical community, and their courage in performing this beloved gay musical is commendable.
West Orange High School Tackles Homophobia with THE PROM
West Orange High School’s Thespian Troupe 1983 made history by becoming the first high school in the country to tackle THE PROM, a buoyant and flamboyant musical that heartily puts the gay in gaily. The show revolves around seventeen-year-old Emma, a lesbian who wants to take her girlfriend, Alyssa, to the Prom. However, the homophobic Powers That Be cancel the festivities altogether. Enter a group of New York celebrities, including diva Dee Dee Allen and the ultra-gay Barry Glickman, who come to Indiana to help Emma. This sets off a chain of events that leads to the opening of a clandestine Prom, where everyone else in school, including Emma’s closeted girlfriend, shows up.
THE PROM is not just a feel-good musical. It tackles the reality of our current situation in Florida, much like the fictional James Madison High School in Indiana. Homophobia is still prevalent, and the show addresses this issue with unflinching courage.
Junior Delaney George plays Emma and delivers an incredible performance, showcasing her vocal chops and ability to tug at your heartstrings. Her songs, including the heart-tugging “Just Breathe” and meaningful “Unruly Heart,” are beautifully rendered. Gretchen Olah is also outstanding as Emma’s girlfriend, Alyssa. Their chemistry is palpable, and their “Dance with You” is exquisite.
Nicholas Poche plays Trent Oliver, a performer in a touring company of Godspell who finds a way to connect with the Indiana youth. While he sometimes speaks too fast and some lines get lost, he gets stronger as the show goes on. He’s wonderful in the preachy-but-beautiful “Love Thy Neighbors,” which solidly if not didactically argues the Bible’s teachings right back at the intolerant that use the Good Book as a misguided weapon.
The show’s supporting cast is also remarkable. Ellie Meurer struts her best Roxie Hart stuff as Angie Dickinson, and Gavin Peterson is stoic as Principal Hawkins. Nicholas Novak, dance captain Savanna Dureault, and Braeden Estep all do fine work. However, special mention must go to standout Luciana DeFelice. Not only is she strong as Shelby and a dancer to be reckoned with, but she cleverly choreographed the show and was its Technical Director.
Callie Huffman bravely inhabits the purposely heinous role of Mrs. Greene, the head of the PTA and the chief antagonist in the story. Ms. Huffman understands that to tell this story in the strongest way possible, you can’t sugarcoat a villain; you dive headfirst and let the jeers come your way.
At the end of the show, Emma and Alyssa finally kiss, and the audience’s reaction was an explosion of congratulatory, affirming, and deafening cheers and applause. This moment perfectly captures the heart and soul of THE PROM and leaves a lasting impact on the audience.
Overall, West Orange High School’s production of THE PROM is a historic milestone in Florida’s theatrical community. The show’s unflinching courage in tackling homophobia is commendable, and the cast’s remarkable talent brings the story to life. THE PROM is not just a feel-good musical; it’s a story that needs to be told, and West Orange High School’s Thespian Troupe 1983 has done an outstanding job of telling it.
A High School Production of The Prom
The musical The Prom has been described as a show that makes your soul feel good. However, the plot centers around a serious issue of homophobia in high school, and in many ways mirrors real events. The production features an ensemble of talented students who bring the show to life.
Plot
The show’s plot revolves around seventeen-year-old Emma, a lesbian who wants to take her girlfriend, Alyssa, to the Prom. However, the homophobic school administration cancels the Prom. A group of New York celebrities, including diva Dee Dee Allen and the ultra-gay Barry Glickman, come to Indiana to help Emma, and the townies eventually open the Prom back up, but with a twist. Emma attends the official Prom alone, while the rest of the student body, including Emma’s closeted girlfriend, attend a second clandestine Prom.
Cast and Crew
The ensemble cast is composed of talented students, including Delaney George as Emma, who delivers a heartfelt performance with incredible vocal chops. The entire cast, whether they play students or protestors, keeps the pace fast and remains in character throughout the production.
Production Team
The set changes are fluid, and the pacing of the show is snappy, with exception of a lull at the start of Act 2. The costumes are outrageously fun, and the sound design and lighting work well together. The show’s music, which features grand harmonies and incredible singing, is directed by Mr. John B. Dehaas, with music captains Ellie Meurer, Gretchen Olah, Reanan Ramlackhan, and Chandler Smith.
Director
The vision of director Mrs. Tara Whitman is apparent throughout the production. She leads the students of Troupe 1983 with passion, ensuring that they tell this story correctly. Being the first high school in the country to launch this show is not lost on the students, who care deeply about the message they are conveying.
Conclusion
This production of The Prom is an inspiring example of the power of young people to make a difference. It raises awareness about homophobia in high school and showcases the incredible talents of these students, who worked tirelessly to bring the show to life.
The Importance of Troupe 1983’s Performance of “The Prom”
Troupe 1983’s production of “The Prom” is not just a great achievement for the school, but for the entire state of Florida. It’s a musical that sends an important message of hope and inclusion to a world that is becoming increasingly intolerant.
The Power of Theatre
The show’s message of redemption and acceptance has the power to change lives. In fact, some audience members have come out to an adult after watching this performance. That’s the incredible power of theatre and the importance of shows like “The Prom” that showcase diversity and acceptance.
A Revolutionary Act
It’s unfortunate that a high school performance of this cheery musical in a state like Florida, where politicians attempt to marginalize and suppress the LGBTQ+ community, can be seen as an almost revolutionary act. But Troupe 1983’s performance is truly extraordinary. The cast, crew, director, school, and community should be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished.
The Importance of Hope
The show’s message of hope is a reminder that redemption is possible for anyone, even the most closed-minded and closed-hearted politician out there. Unfortunately, the politicians who need to hear this message the most likely did not witness the awe-inspiring teens of Troupe 1983’s performance.
Theatrical Magic
In the end, Troupe 1983 “happened” and created theatrical magic in a world that needs it. They made history and changed many lives through their performance. This is an achievement that should be celebrated and appreciated by everyone who believes in the power of theatre to change lives.
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