Lyric Theatre celebrates LGBTQ+ community with Oklahoma premiere of the musical 'The Prom'

Saxon Neal grew up in Oklahoma with two moms, and for many years, it felt like "growing up in the shadows."

"They were together before gay marriage was legal ... so they would always very discreetly hide the fact," Neal said during a break in rehearsals on Lyric Theatre's upcoming production of "The Prom."

"When gay marriage became legal, it was a great thing for them, because then they could finally really be who they really wanted to be without having to hide themselves in a lie. So, when I was growing up, I was also taught really great things about acceptance."

The themes of acceptance and empathy are more than just the sparkly trim on Lyric Theatre's Oklahoma premiere production of the "The Prom," the second show on the long-running professional theater's summer season at Civic Center Music Hall. The Oklahoma City nonprofit arts organization, which is in the midst of its 60th anniversary season, is performing the Tony-nominated show July 11-16 in downtown OKC.

"'The Prom' is going to be a really big moment, as it's a musical about celebrating the LGBTQ+ community," said Lyric Theatre Producing Artistic Director Michael Baron, who is directing the show.

"It is one of my favorite shows I've seen in a long time."

What is 'The Prom' about?

Based on an original concept by Jack Viertel, the riotous show follows four past-their-prime Broadway stars who travel to Indiana to insert themselves into a small-town controversy making national headlines: a lesbian student's fight for the right to bring her girlfriend to her high school prom. 

With its book by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin, lyrics by Beguelin and music by Matthew Sklar, the show is loosely based on several real-life news stories about gay teenagers who were barred from bringing their same-sex dates to their proms.

"As a young teenager, it wasn't even an option that I could take who I wanted to to the prom," said Baron, who is gay. "I still had a fine time with a friend, but people don't understand that that means there wasn't the possibility of a kiss at the prom, of holding hands at the prom ... or starting your journey toward being an adult and finding romance when everyone else did and everyone else does."

"The Prom" debuted on Broadway in fall 2018 and closed the following summer after playing 23 previews and 310 regular performances. It was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including best musical. The production didn’t win any Tonys, but it was named outstanding musical at the Drama Desk Awards.

Emmy-winning director Ryan Murphy ("Glee") adapted the musical into a star-studded 2020 Netflix movie featuring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, James Corden, Ariana DeBose, Keegan-Michael Key, Jo Ellen Pellman and Tulsa native Mary Kay Place.

"It doesn't shy away from the fact that there are people out there that disagree with gay relationships," Baron said. "People should know right away what Lyric's shows are about, and then they can decide if that's something they want to see. But I don't ever want to present something, and someone shows up and not be prepared for what we're presenting — and the conversations that we're hoping people have."

How is Lyric Theatre is bringing young performers and theatergoers to 'The Prom?'

As is to be expected for a show called "The Prom," Lyric Theatre's cast of almost 50 entertainers features several professional performers and college students who look young enough to play high-schoolers.

But the show also includes eight teenage apprentices, including Neal, as well as a 16-member teen ensemble that's appearing in the prom scenes, as well as performing in the Civic Center lobby before showtimes.

"This isn't just a story of this one girl. This is a story of young people — and I love having young people on stage. And I want young people in the audience," said David Andrews Rogers, the music director for Lyric's production of "The Prom."

Lyric Theatre is offering complimentary tickets to high school students to see "The Prom" through the run of the musical. Students can receive a free ticket to the performance of their choice by visiting the Civic Center Box Office with their student ID (or driver's license, learner's permit or other ID that has a date of birth) the day of the show.

"The message is why I wanted to be a part of the show — to accept people," said Neal, an OKC teen who is one of the show's eight apprentices.

"It's been really special because I feel like I'm getting to help tell a story that's really important to my generation, but also to older generations who grew up in a very hard time that are getting to see change that lots of people never imagined that they would ever see."

The OKC teen isn't the only "The Prom" apprentice who has close family members who are LGBTQ+.

"My brother's gay ... but as a straight person, you don't understand what someone's going through, even though it's not as obvious anymore. So, sure, the homophobia isn't as evident anymore. Maybe it's more hidden. But it's still there. So, the message is still important," said Sutton Willis, of Norman.

How are 'The Prom' teen apprentices hoping the musical can change the world?

Based in Frisco, Texas, teen apprentice Evan Jennings said being a part of Lyric's "The Prom" is giving him the chance to apply some wisdom he gained working with seasoned stage and screen actor Lou Diamond Phillips earlier this year on a production of the musical "Miss Saigon" at Fort Worth's Casa Mañana.

"One of the things that he said that really stood out to me is that, as storytellers, it's our job to ... create change in the world. Even though it seems like, 'Oh my kick line's not gonna do that,' it is important to remember that as storytellers and as actors and artists, there's a reason that we do the things we do," Jennings said.

"There's a reason that this story needs to be told — and there's a reason it needs to be told in this moment with this cast to the people who are coming to see it."

Apprentice Talyn Nolan, of Edmond, said that playing a disapproving high-schooler in the celebratory show has proven quite the acting challenge while rehearsing some scenes.

"I was trying so hard not to just smile. I had to furrow my eyebrows so much," she admitted with a grin.

Lyric Theatre's 'The Prom'

When: July 11-16.

Where: Civic Center, 201 N Walker.

Tickets: https://lyrictheatreokc.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: To celebrate LGBTQ, Lyric Theatre Oklahoma to premiere 'The Prom' in OKC