UCM Theatre and Dance, Music Present 'The Prom'

WARRENSBURG, MO – Enjoy a memorable and fun night of entertainment as University of Central Missouri (UCM) Theatre and Dance and UCM Music present the new musical “The Prom.” Based on the novel by Bob Martin, book and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and music by Matthew Sklar, the show will be presented during two weekends at the Highlander Theatre with curtain times at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov 11-12 and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-19. A matinee is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13.

“The Prom” is an exciting new music full of great songs and dancing, wonderful, meaningful story, lots of humor, and memorable characters. The Sunday, Nov. 13 matinee is Pay-What-You-Can (minimum $1) and on Friday, Nov. 18 there will be an ASL interpreter for the hearing-impaired. The show is for ages 12 and up and includes profanity and mature themes. 

“The Prom’s” story surrounds four eccentric Broadway stars who are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time 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 has a date with destiny.

When asked about the show, Director Ashley Miller-Scully stated, “It’s a sweet, funny and important story.  When I first saw it, I really loved it and thought it would be great to bring to the Highlander stage, and then I found out that the rights had just been released, which was really exciting. There are a lot of memorable moments and the characters are all really distinct and different. And there is a lot of excellent music and songs and opportunities for big dance numbers. I just think the audience is going to love it - this one is not to be missed!”

“The Prom” includes a live orchestra with musicians from UCM Music and a professional music director from Kansas City, Daniel Doss.

Concerning the opportunity to have a live orchestra for the show, Miller-Scully said: “You can’t beat it.  They are all so talented and sound so good - I’m always amazed by what UCM Music can do - we are proud to be in the same school with them and collaborate on artistic projects like this. And Daniel is a consummate musician and professional - I think that people are going to love the songs in the show and be humming some of the tunes for days after!”

The cast includesMcKenna Sanford as Emma Nolan, Rachel Curry as Alyssa Greene, Nik Baumert as Mr. Hawkins, Alyce Wilson as Mrs. Greene, J. Will Fritz as Barry Glickman, Paige Showen as Dee Dee Allen, Riley Given as Trent Oliver, Kierra Kellum as Angie Dickinson, Holden Childress as Sheldon Saperstein, Jace Nielsen as Kevin, Luke Englert as Nick, TiJhana Hines as Shelby, and Shanna Sinow as Kaylee. The Ensemble features Kayla Addison, Grace Clark, Katie Kaminski, Rosalyn Schuster, Maxwell Brennan, Maleena Johnson, Miranda Muenz, and Kennedy Reisdorph. 

Members of the orchestra are Daniel Doss, conductor/piano; Connor Sloan, bass; Eli Parris, guitars; Gabe Petree, drums; Joey Carter, percussion; Mekdelawit Keller, violin; Cameron Selbe, cello; Tylee Parsons, flute/ piccolo/alto flute; Luna Jackson, clarinet/alto sax/tenor sax; Zoe Eledge, clarinet/bass clarinet/tenor sax/baritone sax; Tyler Rumore, trumpet/flugelhorn; Ve Carrender, trumpet/flugelhorn; James Florkowski, trombone. 

Crew members are Ashley Miller-Scully, director; Madeline Otero, assistant director and wardrobe crew; Alannah Trigg, stage manager; Madeline Clark, assistant stage manager; Allison Duncan, choreographer; Gabrielle Moore, assistant choreographer; Daniel Doss, music director; Spencer Musser, scenic designer; Cassie Kay Hoppas, costume designer; Hollie Neumann, hair/makeup designer; Katie Marshall, assistant hair/makeup designer; Seth Tommy Sneary, lighting designer; Gracie Heath, assistant lighting designer; Jamie Gresens, sound designer; Stephanie Heathcock, props designer; Alyna Mathews, assistant props designer; Jay Walker, dramaturgy; Kyp Bellis, light board operator; Cal Hoffman, sound board operator; Kennedy Keele, spotlight operator; Jared Dosch, run crew; Riley Wyatt, run crew; Thomas Clark, run crew; Jacob Collins, wardrobe crew; Molly Jones, wardrobe crew; Haley Lavelle, wardrobe crew; Raegan Weber, wardrobe crew: Maryn Edwards, pattern maker; Hollie Neumann, Cydni Stafford, Kennedy Keele and Kennedy Reisdorph, stitchers; Rosalyn Schuster, Alyna Matthews, Gracie Heath, Jared Dosch, Luke Habjan and Brittany Brandt, scene shop assistants, stagecraft class and theatre practicum students; Joseph Clark, Claire Groos, Maleena Johnson, Arianna Kendrick, Madeline Otero, McKenna Sanford, Alannah Trigg, Ryan Verheek, scene shop workers; Dr. Aaron Scully, publicity and marketing director; Mallory Griffin, social media marketing specialist; Holden Childress, trailer director, graduate shop assistant; Dalima Kapten, Lars Jepsen, office professional; Jennifer White and Mekdelawit Keller, office assistants. 

Tickets are available at the UCM Theatre and Dance Office in Martin 113, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, by calling 660-543-8811 or online at  theatre box office website https://ucmboxoffice.universitytickets.com.  Individuals who have questions about tickets, should please call 660-543-8811 or email boxoffice@ucmo.edu.