Singing, Dancing Toward ‘Brighter World’ At W&L
‘The Prom’ Offers Message Of Acceptance
W&L Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies and the Department of Music will jointly present the Bentley Musical 2025, “The Prom” — a comedy — on March 12-14 at 7:30 p.m. and March 15 at 2 p.m. in the Keller Theatre. Tickets are required.
Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, “The Prom” presents a message of courage, love and acceptance —harmony against segregation — through dazzling dance numbers, catchy music and endless humor.
Lighting up stages since 2016, the musical follows the story of Emma Nolan, a high schooler in the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana, who just wants to take her girlfriend to prom. But when faced with the prospect of disrupting the straight and ordered expectations of the town, the PTA decides to cancel the dance entirely.
After hearing of the trouble in Indiana, four fading Broadway stars looking for a cause to champion and a chance to resurrect their public images descend on Edgewater bringing music, comedy and a splash of personal ego. They are determined to challenge the town’s prejudices and give Emma Nolan the night of her dreams. What ensues is a showdown between the Broadway activists and the townspeople — ending with a message of how we might overcome differences and celebrate life.
Director Stephanie Sandberg is thrilled to share the musical with the W&L community. “In dark times, laughter isn’t just medicine — it’s resistance. When we laugh together here at Lenfest, we forge solidarity against exclusion,” she said.
After almost risking her career with “Seven Passages” — a play she wrote and staged advocating for LGBTQ+ rights over 20 years ago - Sandberg is profoundly grateful for the opportunity to bring “The Prom” to the stage at W&L in celebration of artistic freedom and unconditional love.
With Patrick Summers as musical director and Sandra Meythaler as choreographer, “The Prom” promises to be a musical to remember, said a W&L spokesperson. W&L student actors include Ka’Mya Clark as Emma Nolan and Rebecca Goldman as her girlfriend, Alyssa Greene. Self-proclaimed “cultural disruptors” and Broadway stars Dee Dee Allen (Ana Montano Martinez); Angie Dickinson (Caitlin McAvoy); Trent Oliver (Anthony Kahn); and Barry Glickman (Lexington community member Rob Mish) are also featured. Alyssa’s mother and head of the PTA, Mrs. Greene will be played by community member Monica Burke and high school principal and ally Mr. Hawkins will be played by W&L actor Daniel Reiter.
Sandberg offers a note of optimism and community that reflects to soul of the musical: “Let’s sing and dance toward a brighter world — one laugh, one heart, one prom at a time.”
Tickets are available online at https://my.wlu.edu/lenfestcenter/ the-prom with a credit card or in-person at the Lenfest box office. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $8 for students.
Box office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Forms of payments include cash, check or credit card. Patrons can contact the box office by calling (540) 458-8000 or emailing [email protected].
