Chloe Summer/Staff Reporter
The musical theatre program has reached the midway point for the production of the year end show the Prom that will be performed in May. Directed by Justin Maller who also teaches Gleneagle’s drama, guitar, and theatre production classes. Choreographed by Candice Kerr, a professional choreographer living here for a year for work. Kerr is also a Gleneagle 2017 alumni.
The musical “the Prom” is loosely based on the true story of Constance McMillen, a young female high school student in Mississippi. After McMillen tried to buy a ticket to take another girl as a date to the school’s prom, the school cancelled the prom to prevent her and her girlfriend from coming. After the school faced backlash for their discrimination towards McMillen, they planned another prom that they told the public McMillen would be attending. But there was a second secret prom planned without McMillen and her girlfriend. So, when McMillen showed up to the prom there were only five other people, all of which were kids who were bullied at the school for being different.
This led to many LGBTQIA+ celebrities speaking out for McMillen. Ellen DeGeneres brought McMillen on her talk show “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Dan Savage an American author and LGBTQIA+ activist asked his fans to reach out to the school. McMillen filed a lawsuit against the school district. On July 20, 2010, the school district settled the case out of court by paying McMillen US$35,000, which is equivalent to CAD$65,008 in 2022.
In the musical adaptation of McMillen’s story, the character based off her is named Emma Nolen. After the parents of the school find out Emma wants to bring a girl to the prom, they cancel the prom. A group of 4 narcissist Broadway actors, Barry Glickman, Dee Dee Allen, Trent Oliver, and Angie Dickenson, go to stand up for Emma to help redeem their reputation. The school PTA decided to reinstate the prom because of public pressure and the threat of a civil rights lawsuit. Emma, feeling excited, lets the Broadway diva Barry Glickman help her get ready. When Emma shows up to the school gym for the prom, she walks into a room with drooping streamers, a sad disco ball, dim lights, and her devastated principle sitting on a chair. Emma finds out a second secret prom was planned, and everyone tricked her. Emma tells her story online and gains a lot of attention around the world. There is a happy ending of Emma planning a new prom for people around the world. An inclusive prom for people of all genders, sexualities, abilities, and races.
The show will be performed on May 3-5, 10-12, and two matinee shows for the local middle schools on May 2 and 9.