Themes of acceptance and embracing each other’s differences are at the center of the hit Broadway musical “The Prom,” which opened at Porthouse Theatre July 21 and runs through Aug. 6.

As the final production of the season for Kent State’s covered outdoor theatre, the musical comedy was nominated for six Tony Awards and was the Drama Desk Award winner for outstanding musical in 2019. It was also adapted into a Netflix movie that was released in 2020.

The story follows four Broadway actors fading in the spotlight who are desperate to get back in the scene. While searching for a “cause” to support to boost their image, they discover Emma, a high schooler who is banned from bringing her girlfriend to her high school prom in Edgewater, Indiana, simply because she is a girl.

While the plot isn’t based on a specific event, it’s inspired by several incidents of exclusion from proms across the country, according to playwright Bob Martin, co-writer of the Broadway book and screenplay for the movie.  

Terri Kent, Porthouse Theatre’s producing artistic director and director of this musical, said that the show has an inspiring message.

“It’s a story about what happens when four Broadway actors venture to a small town in Indiana to help a young courageous woman go to prom,” Kent said. “At its core, it is a musical comedy about love, understanding and acceptance, not only about who you are, but who you could be.”

Lane LaVonne, who plays Emma Nolan in the show, said that their experience working on the show has been rewarding and fulfilling.

“My experience has been nothing short of wonderful and affirming in every sense of the word,” LaVonne said. “The community at Porthouse jumped at the chance to tell a story that needs telling, and playing this role alongside such a supportive group has been so healing and really a dream come true.”

LaVonne, a rising junior musical theatre student at Rider University, urges people to see and hear this story.

“I hope audiences see how incredibly human this story and message really is,” LaVonne said. “I hope audiences see that showing up for their fellow humans with support and respect, similarly to how patrons show up at the theatre, is what people like myself need right now.”

Porthouse Theatre’s “The Prom” will through Aug. 6 at Porthouse Theatre in Cuyahoga Falls.

Aden Graves is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].