It’s Time to Dance! The Prom Dazzles the Outdoor Stage in August​​

Center Stage Theatre Presents Regional Premiere of Contemporary Hit Musical

Midland Center for the Arts’ Center Stage Theatre will present the regional premiere of the hit musical comedy, The Prom on August 2 - 11, 2023. The musical debuted on Broadway in 2018, with a book by Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone, Elf: The Musical) and Chad Beguelin (Disney’s Aladdin, Elf: The Musical, The Wedding Singer), music by Matthew Skylar (Elf: The Musical, The Wedding Singer) and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The Center Stage Theatre production is directed by Bill Anderson Jr., with choreography by Gina Kearly and music direction by Matthew Conley.

After premiering on Broadway in 2018, the musical was adapted into a hit film on Netflix directed by Ryan Murphy and starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Ariana DeBose, and James Corden. Midland audiences will have the unique opportunity to experience this hilarious musical for the first time in its regional premiere on the Outdoor Stage.

Set in Edgewater, Indiana, The Prom tells the tale of Emma, a young girl who dreams of taking her girlfriend to the prom. Determined to make her wish come true, Emma finds unexpected allies in four eccentric Broadway stars desperately seeking to regain their fame. The Prom captures the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy while delivering a universal message of love and acceptance.

“Midland audiences can expect to be swept off their feet! I’m privileged to work with an exceptional cast and crew who are pouring their hearts and souls into rehearsals,” said director Bill Anderson Jr. “There is something for everyone to connect to in this powerful, fun story of love and acceptance.”

Midland Center is partnering with local LGBTQ+ organizations in promotion for The Prom. On opening night, August 2, members from PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gay Youth) will have an information table available. On Thursday, August 3, the Center’s Pendulum Lounge will be hosted by Great Lakes Bay Pride for ‘GLB Pride Night’ beginning at 4:30 PM. That night, the Harmony Diversity Choir will provide a pre-show performance.

The Prom will run for two weeks only on the Outdoor Stage, August 2 - 4 and 9 - 11, 2023. Tickets are available online at www.midlandcenter.org, by calling (989) 631-8250, or by visiting the box office at 1801 W. St. Andrews Rd., Midland.

The Prom is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide. 1180 Avenue Of The Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036 www.theatricalrights.com.

Midland Center for the Arts is a cultural hub for the Great Lakes Bay Region and State of Michigan. Imagine a place where you can experience the best of art, science, history, music, theatre, dance, and film, all under one stunning roof. This vibrant and unique institution, housed within an architecturally significant building, is a haven for artists, students, historians, and audiences alike. With its impressive 1,500-seat auditorium, 400-seat theater, interactive museum of science and art, Midland County Historical Society, and Studio School art studios, the possibilities for entertainment and enrichment are endless. Ready to explore? Visit midlandcenter.org.

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