PROGRAM NOTE
Gina Vernaci
T
Enjoy,
playhousesquare.org
he musical The Prom takes us to the time in our lives where we began to transition from teenager to adulthood. Whether it was five or fifty years ago, or has yet to arrive, the rite of passage that is senior prom is a milestone in many of our lives. With my glittering tiara and long white dress, along with my prom date in his spiffy tuxedo, we were off for the most highly anticipated night of our lives — the senior prom. In addition to donning our formal wear, everyone was wearing a big smile. We were united in our glee. This rite of passage at St. Francis Borgia included our parents. They too attended the dance, then escorted us to Mass and afterwards we ate a late dinner together. Our theme, The Emerald City, made creative use of green paint on cardboard, with vibrant yellow sponge prints to simulate a stone façade. Our medieval-inspired castle was topped with two not-quitestraight turrets and was complete with a gatehouse, through which we made our grand entrance. The crowning touch to our enchanting kingdom was a slowly rotating mirror ball. With the lights strategically dimmed along with a healthy dose of air-freshener, the essence and look of our school’s gymnasium was transformed into something magical. And so was the Class of ’74. Proms, short for promenades, were originally rooted in colleges and universities. Eventually, the tradition was taken on by high schoolers to recognize their emergence into a new phase of their lives. Although these traditions in some instances were considered specifically exclusionary, the intent for us was to celebrate our twelve years together before going off to new adventures. Prom, like other rites of passage, can be a time to shape or confirm your identity. The Prom, based on a true story, explores what can happen when a community’s norms are challenged by an individual who claims her identity and finds support from an unexpected and unlikely place. With a big heart and plenty of laughs, The Prom is the perfect return to BWY in CLE.
Gina Vernaci President & CEO, Playhouse Square
27
