Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The Segal Centre for Performing Arts will present the world premiere of Prom Queen: The Musical, a new Canadian musical inspired by the true story of Marc Hall, the Ontario teenager who took his Catholic school board to court when they refused to let him attend prom with his boyfriend.
Performances will run October 27-November 20. Opening night is set for November 3.
Directed by Marcia Kash, Prom Queen: The Musical features a book by Kent Staines with lyrics by Akiva Romer-Segal and music by Colleen Dauncey, a Toronto songwriting team.
“The real-life story came complete with a charismatic hero, a national controversy and an uplifting message,” said book writer Staines. “With so much grand emotion and joy packed into one event—and with such an empowering universal message, Marc’s story just had to be turned into a musical.”
According to press notes, “In 2002, Marc Hall took the Durham Catholic District School Board to court when they refused to let him attend the prom with his then-boyfriend Jean-Paul Dumond. What ensued was an international media frenzy that brought to light a fundamental human rights issue. Hall’s court battle inspired people around the globe and set a great example for others facing similar struggles. Prom Queen: The Musical brings this important piece of civil rights history to life. Above all, Prom Queen is the story of a community coming together to support one of their own and realizing the importance of being true to yourself. It is a true celebration of individuality and diversity.”
Prom Queen is not to be confused with The Prom, the new musical that recently took shape in Atlanta and is aiming for Broadway.
The production will star Alessandro Costantini as Marc Hall; Jonathan Cullen as his boyfriend, Jason; Katee Julien and Sylvain Scott as Marc’s parents, Emily and Audy, respectively; and Sydney Scotia and Kolton Stewart as Marc’s best friend Carly and the guy after her heart, Boomer.
Rounding out the cast are David Silvestri, Zachary Counsil, Stuart Dowling, Gabi Epstein, Alexia Gourd, Hailey Lewis, Jamie Mayers, Lucas Meeuse, Mike Melino, Patrick Park, Stephanie Sy and Jonathan Whittaker.
Joining Kash in shaping the production are Mark Camilleri (musical director, orchestrator and band leader), Sean Cheesman (choreographer), John C. Dinning (set and costumes designer), Luc Prairie (lighting designer), Peter Balov (sound designer) and Luciana Burcheri (stage manager).
Produced by the Segal Centre in association with producer Mary Young Leckie, this original production has been workshopped with Sheridan College’s Canadian Music Theatre Project, at Theatre Aquarius and twice by the Segal.
The Segal Centre for Performing Arts is located at 5170 chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montreal, H3W 1M7. For more information and tickets, visit SegalCentre.org.
By Michael Gioia for www.playbill.com.
2016-10-07
Montreal: Toronto songwriting team's musical "Prom Queen" to premiere October 27