EMA Review: Prom Night '99 ★★★★★

RELIVE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS WITH PROM NIGHT ‘99!

By Erik Engman

Author, Clown and Improvisation Teacher, Theatre Critic, EatMoreArtVegas.com

IG: ErikReviewsVegas

I hated high school. Sure, I had some good friends and some positive experiences, but I was a theater, sci-fi, AV nerd. I was mercilessly teased and bullied. It was hell. Needless to say, I never went to my prom. Did I miss out on something? Some rite of passage? Well, I don’t have to wonder anymore, as last Thursday night I got the chance to experience Prom Night ‘99, a new retro immersive comedy at Majestic Repertory Theatre by writer/director Troy Heard. And I have to say, it was an amazing night.

Donning my best tuxedo t-shirt, I was immediately transported back to my youth. After checking in at the reception desk, I entered the main area, decorated with the theme of “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic.

Streamers, handmade posters, a Titanic ice sculpture, a punch bowl, and a little stage set the scene. Exploring the space more, I found other rooms: the AV Lab, the video closet, and the back, which had lockers and some “illicit activity”. The production design (credited to the Design Ninjas) was off the hook, perfectly capturing the setting. The lighting (designed by Lee Geiger) gave you the feel of a nighttime high school dance, from the dance floor to the flickering fluorescent lights out in the back. The sound (designed by Aldair Callejas) was a fantastic mix of '90s tunes, which didn’t overwhelm the action and experience. And the costumes and wigs (designed by Gabbie Kenny) completed the picture perfectly. 

But really, we’re here for the high school drama, right? And we get that in spades! There were multiple storylines, which all neatly got tied up at the end. One of the strengths of Heard is his ability to create complex archetypes without falling into the trap of two-dimensional caricature. They were all here - the jock, the loner, the activist, the class clown, the popular girl. But these were real multi-dimensional characters with internal flaws. I knew these people in my real high school days, and was constantly pairing them up with the real-life counterparts from my memories.

The entire cast was amazing, and although I wish I had the opportunity to have interacted with everyone, these were the highlights: Brooke Martino as the uptight Vice-Principal Blaine, who hilariously gave me a hall monitor badge (snitch!), Emma Newton as the overly-ambitious Amanda Whitaker with shades of Election, goth girl Chelsea Ramirez (Bailee Bob Sveen, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses), angsty activist Melora Vale (Maile Onsaga), her loner brother Joey Vale (Austin Parrales), Laney Sinclair (Carley Salway) who has my favorite storyline about studying abroad, and smoking out back with bad boy J.C. Fisher (Joey Derby). Finally, I will always have a connection with Ricky Almonte (played with nerdy perfection by Sam Ghaneian). We not only had the same shirt (!), but he was basically me at that age.  

What was amazing was that this show made me feel like I was actually back in high school. This was the high school experience I wish I had. My only gripe is that this show was too short. I wish it had been three hours, so I could explore more, interact with more characters, and just exist in that world as long as I could. It has been suggested to come multiple times to catch everything, and I would encourage that. Just standing at the front watching the characters enter was a part of the show I believe only I got to witness. Can’t wait to return and catch what I missed. One other thing… they didn’t end with Prince’s 1999? (Okay, I’m biased as Prince is my spirit animal. Ha!) So load up on some Zima, dress to the 9s (or the 99s), and have the prom you always dreamed of. Or as they say: “Did your prom suck? Redo it with us!” I did, and now I have my positive high school memory. Thank you for that.

What: Prom Night ‘99  

When: July 23 to August 30. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.

Where: Majestic Repertory Theatre104

Tickets (including fees)/website: $52.95, www.majesticrepertory.com

RATING: Delicious ★★★★★

Writer/Director: Troy Heard; Production Design: The Design Ninjas; Wig/Costume Design: Gabbie Kenny; Lighting Design: Lee Geiger; Sound Design: Aldair Callejas; Art Department: Anne Faxas, Lauren Tannehill, Whitney McCaw.