By J.E. Ballantyne Jr.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Millennial Theatre Company has made a pleasant habit of producing Broadway quality musicals since they started up quite a few years ago. Their production of the Matthew Sklar, Chad Beguelin, Bob Martin musical, “The Prom” is certainly no exception.
The plot follows four has-been actors, all of whom are more self absorbed than a sponge. When “Eleanor: The Eleanor Roosevelt Story” starring Dee Dee Allen (Brandy Johanntges) and Barry Glickman (Ty Hanes) bombs on Broadway on opening night, they team up with two other has-been actors, Trent Oliver (Nate Beagle) and Angie Dickinson (Jackie Collins), to find a cause that will make them look good.
They find Emma on Twitter, a teenager in Indiana, whose prom has been cancelled because she wanted to bring her girlfriend to the event as her date. The four narcissists travel to straight-laced Indiana and wreak havoc in their attempt to better their image.
Brooke May, who wowed audiences earlier this season as Carole King in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” plays Emma. From start to finish, this is May’s show. As I stated in the “Beautiful” review, she has larger than life talent in a small compact frame. She made Emma an instantly lovable character and a character that obtained instant empathy from her audience.
Through every production element – acting, singing and choreography –May once again wowed the small but very appreciative crowd. Her strong belting voice grabbed the audience with “Just Breathe” but showed the softer and more sensitive side in “Unruly Heart.” She gave soul and humor to Emma, who was battling tough circumstances in her life.
Brandy Johanntges turns in her customary strong performance, this time as the self-absorbed Dee Dee Allen. With sharp cutting wit, and a no apologies approach to the character, Johanntges gives a towering performance. And Johanntges can belt out a number or two with “It’s Not About Me,” and “The Lady’s Improving.” She has Allen wallowing in a pool of self-importance so thick and grimy that she leaves a trail wherever she goes. When she attempts to make a change for the better, Johanntges’ skill comes through by making it clear that the attempt will probably be futile.
Ty Hanes as Barry, perhaps the most flamboyant of the washed up quartet, presents a character that seems to take the entire project they have chosen more seriously than the others, probably because Barry is the worst actor of the four. His relentless desire for self importance makes everything the four has-beens do in “trying to help” even worse. Hanes is a source of much of the foursome’s comedy but also presents a dimensional character.
Stage veteran Nate Beagle turns in another first rate performance as Trent Oliver, an actor whose career left him in the rear view mirror long ago and is now working as a bartender. Beagle always lays out a smooth believable performance in every character he plays. This could have been difficult – with a character this extremely over the top – but Beagle makes it as real as anything you will see anywhere. His humor and comedic timing is superior and he makes Oliver a real and likeable albeit self centered person to a point.
The last of the loser quartet, Angie, played by Jackie Collins, is a long-time chorus girl in the musical “Chicago,” who laments losing her chance at the lead role in the show. Collins makes Angie the uplifting force in Emma’s life as she attempts to encourage Emma to stand and fight to right the wrong that was done to her. In “Zazz,” Collins shines as she gives Emma a quick lesson in how to handle her situation.
Brianna Rae Quinn, as Alyssa, Emma’s girlfriend, does a wonderful job with a character that has more going on than just a canceled prom. Still closeted even from her family, Quinn gives Alyssa a sensitivity and an awkwardness that plays well opposite Emma. Another “Beautiful” alum as Cynthia Weil, Quinn gives the same strong professional performance that won her praise earlier in the season.
Colleen Chance as Mrs. Greene, Alyssa’s mother and head of the PTA, is staunch in her stand that the prom must conform to school rules or be canceled. Her duty to the school and her love for her daughter collide giving Chance a wonderful opportunity to show some depth to the character. She handles it with great skill, being careful to not make Mrs. Greene a real villain even though she is looked upon that way.
Every school has to have a principal who gets caught up in the controversy and John Cox gives a good balanced performance as Mr. Hawkins. Cox has to balance many things in this role. From conforming to what he is hired to do to understanding and showing empathy for Emma’s plight, he is a strong but likeable character who is trying to make everybody happy. Cox’s mild approach to the character makes you wish you had him as your high school principal.
He initially fights the intruding foursome but then comes around, through some coaxing from Dee Dee to fighting them again. Cox has a lot on his principal plate but handles it all very well.
Ben Doss as Sheldon Saperstein, a publicist for the actor group, is the man in the middle, so to speak. He gets pushed and shoved by both sides in an attempt to get Emma’s story on TV. Doss plays the part well.
The show boasts a great and energetic ensemble which adds a great deal to the musical numbers. Without them, musically, it would be missing the punch that they provide. It helps balance the unfortunate canned music.
Joe Asente has directed an excellent production, which is as professional and polished as any the Millennial has done. He is also responsible for an efficient set comprised of both wagons and drops – lending great looks to each scene along with a flashy lighting design. Ryan Lamb did well as music director and getting the most out of all of his singers.
Choreography by Danielle Mentzer was adequate but unfortunately didn’t quite match the quality of the rest of the production. There seemed to be a blandness to many dance numbers. Costume design was workable.
The Prom will continue Jan. 4, 10, 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 5, 12 at 2:30 p.m.
Pictured at top: The cast of Millennial Theatre’s production of “The Prom” includes Jackie Collins, Nate Beagle, Brianna Rae Quinn, Brooke May, Brandy Johanntges and Ty Hanes.