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The 91��������-Platteville’s Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will be returning to the stage with the hit Broadway show, “The Prom.” With a book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, the 2016 musical follows four Broadway actors as they travel to Edgewater, Indiana to help a lesbian student who is banned from bringing her girlfriend to the prom. 

Performances are Friday, April 4, Saturday, April 5, Thursday, April 10, Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 6 and Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. There also will be a special matinee at 11 a.m. on April 9. All performances will be held in the Brodbeck Concert Hall at the Center for the Arts of the UW-Platteville campus. 

Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a relevant cause to champion. When they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they decide to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town must decide who they want to be. On a mission to transform lives and celebrate love in all its forms, these Broadway actors join forces with a courageous girl to build a prom for everyone. 

“This musical is funny and high-energy,” said Ann Farrelly, professor of theatre and director of The Prom. “But at its heart is the story of a young girl who faces exclusion because of who she loves. While these Broadway stars may not start out with the most noble of intentions, they are changed by their experience and help to teach this town that inclusion not only builds a prom for everyone but also builds a better community. This show has a very important message for us in 2025. I hope we truly hear it.” 

The cast includes Grace Silvestri as Emma, Sydney Streich as Alyssa, Jay DeWees as Barry Glickman, Ella Brunner as Dee Dee Allen, Jamie Wodack as Trent Oliver, Victoria Logan as Angie Dickinson, Rawley Schulz as Sheldon, Nik Swiggum as Mr. Hawkins, El Dalbey as Mrs. Greene, Olivia Laughlin as Kaylee, Erin Lenz as Shelby, and Taylor Atchison as Kevin. Members of the ensemble include Aaron Brown, Taryn Dolan, Ema Frick, Samuel Fuchs, Elijah Fuchs, Ethan Gallo, Phoenix Johnson, Max Konop, Keeleigh Padilla and Alexis Allen-Price. Student members of the running and wardrobe crews include Matt Siekierski, Isabella Farrey, Belle Garbisch, Aurora Schmid, Sophia Rowell, Aliyta Schroeder, Guin Larson, Kyra Liske, Hannah Franzen and Skyler Halvorson.

Joining Farrelly on the production team are UW-Platteville faculty and staff Connie SaLoutos Furlan, choreographer, Jeffrey Strange, scenic designer, Sarah Strange, costume designer and Josh Lawyer, lighting designer. UW-Platteville theatre alumni involved in the production include Lizzie Haller as the music director and Chris Kott as the sound designer. Student Leila Kreul is the stage manager, and Stephanie Klein, associate director of choral activities at UW-Platteville, will be conducting the pit.  Students playing in the pit orchestra include Shannon Weir, Samantha Benz, James Levan, Meghan Conley, Andrew Guzik, Morgan Haas, Kasey Yu, Hayley Green, Andrew Melson, Emma Pawlak, Frank Fincel and Jordan Larson-Sell.

“This team is incredible, and I am so lucky to have such talented colleagues and students,” said Farrelly. “As with all our productions, students from all over campus, in all three colleges, are represented both onstage, backstage, and in the pit. Of the over 50 students involved in ‘The Prom,’ almost half represent the College of Business, Industry, Life Sciences and Agriculture (BILSA). and the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science (EMS). It truly is one of the largest cross-campus collaborations. Non-majors continue to make a major impact, and that is something that sets UW-Platteville apart from other schools—the opportunity for all students to participate in a variety of interests regardless of their degree pursuits.”

Tickets for the production are $15 for general admission and $7 for students (price includes $2 box office transaction fee). For tickets and information, contact the University Box Office at 608-342-1298 or online at . Ticket prices are the same no matter how they are purchased. This production is recommended for audiences high-school age and older (due to some strong language and adult situations). As with all shows, we encourage audience members to research whether this show is appropriate for them.