IVCC stages musical 'The Prom' April 13-23

Featuring a cast of community members, former and current professional actors, students and staff, the Illinois Valley Community College Theatre Department presents the area premier of the new Broadway musical, “The Prom,” April 13 through 23 in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre.

“We’re thrilled to have landed this new title,” said Director and Choreographer of Musical Theatre, Don Grant Zellmer.

“The Prom was on Broadway in 2018 and 2019, and I absolutely couldn’t have found a better cast to bring this show to life. It was so popular, Netflix produced a film version starring Meryl Streep in 2021 that received critical acclaim, as did the Broadway production when it was nominated for six Tony Awards and named a ‘New York Times Top Pick,’” said Zellmer.

The central story is based on an actual event when a high school prom in Mississippi was canceled because a senior honor student asked to bring her girlfriend to prom.

“That, however, is where the reality part ends,” Zellmer says. “The musical’s creators built on that, and created a wild storyline that begins in New York when four ego-fueled and unaware Broadway actors — whose show opens and closes on the same night — decide to become ‘celebrity activists’ to repair their images.

“They travel to conservative, small-town Indiana (where the story was relocated) and make the situation go from bad to hilariously worse,” Zellmer continues.

“The combination of these two worlds colliding skewers — and has fun — with the entire spectrum from ultra-conservative to ultra-liberal, with unexpected, side-splitting results, but common ground is discovered by a love that unites them all.”

The musical features Matt Valle, Dr. Tracey Childers, Natalie Verucchi and Jake Jakielski as the Broadways stars. Valle recently returned to the area following a long career on stage in Los Angeles and Chicago, and the others bring professional credits with them as well.

At the center of everyone’s attention are the high school seniors, Emma and Alyssa, played by IVCC students Zoe Starkey and Lexi Johnson.

“I think this may be one of the funniest and heartwarming productions we’ve produced to date,” said Dr. David Kuester, IVCC theatre and speech instructor who produces the show.

“It’s such a unique and fresh musical. From traditional big Broadway numbers to the pop score of the actual prom, it’s truly just a joyful experience. We’re honored to be one of the first colleges to be granted the royalties,” Kuester said.

The Prom plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. April 13 through 23. Tickets are $22 for adults, $15 for high school and under.

Online reservations are available at www.ivcc.edu/theatre, or may be purchased at the box office the date of each performance beginning one hour prior to showtime.

Audiences should note: The Prom contains infrequent coarse language and adult themes (PG).

The musical is directed, choreographed and designed by Zellmer, produced and costumed by Kuester, with technical direction by Chad Brokaw and musical direction by Alex Guerrero.

Cast members include Starkey and Courtney Atkinson of Princeton; Childers and Johnson, Ottawa; Ethan Darrow, Alassandro DeLeon, Bree Ninis, Madysen Koesler, Streator; Jakielski, Marseilles; Valle, Natalie Verucchi, Brian Towne, Alyce Scott and Zellmer, La Salle; Kelly Johnson, Seneca; David Zuniga, Oglesby; Jennifer Walk, Hennepin; Austin Hack, Wenona; Gennaro Piccolo, Spring Valley; and Crystal Credi and Zoe Bush, Peru.