On December 11th, Netflix released the movie musical adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical, The Prom, starring actors Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, and Andrew Rannells. They act as fictional Broadway stars who, in a frantic search for a cause after negative reviews close their show, come to a small, conservative Indiana town to help teenager Emma Nolan- The real star among the ‘stars,’ in this story. Emma Nolan, (portrayed by Caitlin Kinnunen in the Original Broadway Cast and Jo Ellen Pellman in the Netflix adaptation) is a lesbian who just wants to take her girlfriend, Alyssa Greene, (portrayed by Isabelle McCalla in the Original Broadway Cast and Ariana DeBose in the Netflix adaptation) to the high school prom. In response, the school’s PTA decides to shut down the prom entirely since it cannot ban her from it individually for being gay. In an isolating world and strict, conservative community, Emma simply wants the freedom to be true to her genuine, authentic self and the freedom to dance with her love at the prom like everyone else.
Gay rights, equality, equity, and freedom are the heart of this story; after all, it is loosely based on the 2010 story of real-life high schooler Constance McMillen who was banned from her prom by the PTA for wanting to bring her girlfriend. Many celebrities and gay rights activists, including the ACLU, rallied behind McMillen, which filed a lawsuit against the school district for violating her first amendment rights. Director Ryan Murphy faced the same dilemma, not being able to bring his date to his prom, either. This painful discrimination, homophobia, and the pressure of fitting into and abiding by the expected heteronormative narrative has been experienced and is being experienced by teenagers everywhere.
Emma and Alyssa’s love story is a breath of fresh air. Lesbian portrayal in the media has been mostly catered to the male gaze than true and fair to healthy, genuine portrayals of love. The objectification, sexualization, and fetishization of lesbians feed stereotypes and stigmas around not only how people see lesbians, but how lesbians see themselves. The emotional and psychological impact of harmful ‘representation’ is endless: perpetuating stereotypes, increasing stigma, and increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, insecurity, and isolation in the people on the other side of the screen. Queer relationships in the media often end with either death or breakups, rarely do we see the happy ending they deserve, or the happiness, celebration, and wholesome authenticity we need and deserve to see.
Representation, when done right, beholds invaluable significance, power, and importance in infinite ways, both large-scale and small-scale- which is why the casting of two queer women as the main characters, and the casting of Ariana DeBose, a queer, Afro-Puerto Rican woman as Alyssa Greene, is all the more important and beautiful. Seeing yourself represented, seeing your identity embraced and celebrated, is an excitement unlike any other.
“There were many people like myself who never really imagined that women who identify as queer or lesbian would ever be romantic leads. And yet here we are. So that’s really thrilling and exciting,” DeBose said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “That is pretty priceless because, to me, it’s a mile marker of how far we’ve come. We still have so far to go, I think this is a real symbol of progress.”
In a scene in both the musical and the movie, Emma picks up her guitar and records herself singing an original song- ‘Unruly Heart’ dedicated “for all the people out there, who love someone in a way that the world just doesn’t understand.“ As she sings, we see several others watching from behind their screens, in their rooms, listening to Emma’s words with overwhelming emotion and hope. Singing along proudly, Emma’s song is to them what The Prom is to many: a light in the darkness. A safe, comforting embrace of reassurance and light, an uplifting warmth, a reminder that you’re not alone, and a reminder that there is hope.
“I wish I had a movie like The Prom when I was growing up… …All I wanted was to be embraced for who I was, and to love whomever I wanted. The Prom has this idea at its beating heart….The Prom is for anyone who ever felt like an outsider, and for anyone who just wants to be their authentic self; which I think is a universal conceit. The love story between Emma and Alyssa is one I longed to see as a young person. if I had, maybe I wouldn’t have felt so alone.” –Ryan Murphy
“Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman have also launched the Unruly Hearts Initiative which is a resource for the young LGBTQ+ community in need of help, access to care, or financial support”
The Prom isn’t only a celebration of diversity, individuality, and pride- it’s a celebration of the vibrant and cherished world of musical theatre, where its story began. “We Look to You,” sung by Keegan-Michael Key in the Netflix adaptation, is a love letter to Broadway- hitting especially hard in 2020.
The Prom is filled with the bright, beaming brilliance and fun of Broadway musicals. Broadway has always been, is, and will continue to be an escape and a home for millions of people- a home for the Emmas and Alyssas of the world who’ve either lost their homes or don’t have one where they can feel truly safe and belonging. No amount of film adaptations will ever take away the magic of sitting before a stage, surrounded by music and song. At that moment, you aren’t in the real world, you aren’t in a theatre: you’re in a story, and its passions and brilliance radiating from the cast, the ensemble, every talented individual necessary to create a story and make it what it is. It is a joy, honor, and privilege like no other. A joy that everyone deserves.
Broadway tickets and musical tickets aren’t cheap- and, for disabled people, theaters are rarely accessible- meaning so many people struggling financially, and disabled people are often left out. Movie adaptations allow those who cannot afford theatre tickets, or disabled people who cannot attend due to inaccessibility, a spot in the family, and a seat at the show. Movie adaptations of beloved musicals expand the reach and impact of these stories, drawing in new waves of fans and introducing them to the world of musicals. With theaters shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, countless Broadway stars, ensemble members, light techs, makeup artists, set designers, musical directors, stage managers, choreographers, costume designers, lighting designers have no income. In New York, Broadway shows have been suspended through May 30th, 2021 after being shut down since March.
Please help these important individuals during this unimaginably difficult time through https://broadwaycares.
