The production of the “The Prom” by the Evergreen Players showed students an insightful look at the reality of queer love in society.
Loyola’s Evergreen Players presented “The Prom” at McManus Theatre this April. The production is one of Broadway’s musical-comedies, following washed-up Broadway actors making their way to Indiana to help a student whose prom was canceled when she wanted to bring her girlfriend as her prom date.
The show debuted on Broadway in October of 2018. It quickly became a hit, with Netflix making an original movie based on the plot.
The musical’s plot covers high schoolers who are facing the backlash of homophobic parent-teacher association (PTA) members at the expense of their freedom of sexuality. The musical covers topics of identity, sexuality and feeling seen by those in your community.
Mary Kate O’Callaghan, who plays the role of Emma Nolan in “The Prom,” talks about her experience working with the Evergreen Players and the show itself.
“It’s so important to normalize queer stories, and this musical was based on real events, not with all the broadway stars, but it did happen. This is a thing that happens everywhere. This show really shows the pressure that some parents put on their children to be the perfect image,” O’Callaghan said.
The Evergreen Players started working on this show in late January with auditions. Rehearsals started in early Febuary. After auditions and cast lists came out, the Players did a read through of the script, asking questions of how and why their characters are portrayed.
The show was a hit on campus. The Players hosted four showings, Thursday to Saturday night and a matinee on Sunday.
“The Prom” was a meaningful story. It was a way for our students to acknowledge the trouble that queer students face throughout the country especially in states like Indiana, where their sexuality is not celebrated.
“It’s so important to share these stories because they are real things that have happened to real people, that a lot of people don’t know about. I think a lot of the messages in the show are really going to resonate with parents, because I know there are a lot of parents out there who are not as supportive of their queer children,” O’Callaghan said.
As the playbill said, “In that sense, The Prom is equally fantastical. If only reaching across our ideological and political divides were as easy, or fun, as the show Portrays it to be! The prom shows us the world as it could be and celebrates the queer joy at its center.”
Musical theatre is an important way for students across campus to celebrate their stage achievements as well as giving others a perspective of different lives and storylines. “The Prom” does a fantastic job at incorporating the modern day problems with music and celebration.
“From this show expect a lot of laughs, a lot of funny moments. And there are also a lot of heartfelt moments. Expect to laugh and to cry,” O’Callaghan said.
For further information on the Evergreen Players, follow the Instagram https://www.instagram.com/loyolamdtheatre. More information on the show and further events from the Players will be posted there.
