Eatontown Teen Stars In "The Prom" At Axelrod PAC In Deal

EATONTOWN, NJ — "The Prom" is currently running May 5-21 at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal.

The musical stars Vicki Lewis, from NBC's "NewsRadio," and Broadway's John Scherer.

Several Monmouth County residents are featured in the cast, including Quincy Southerland of Eatontown, Sealth Grover of Atlantic Highlands, Matt Walsh of Freehold, Jillian Ann Lee of Avon, Laura Renee Mehl of North Middletown, Markos Eugenis of Ocean Township and Christie Dabreau of Farmingdale.

The story traces the adventures of a quartet of Broadway has-beens who hop on a tour bus to infiltrate a small-town in Indiana with their New York City values. There, they meet high school student Emma Nolan, who has been banned from the school dance for wanting to attend with her girlfriend.

Frequently compared to "Hairspray" for its fun, upbeat score and life-affirming message, "The Prom" was a New York Times Critic’s Pick in 2018 when its theater reviewer proclaimed that the show “makes you believe in musical comedy again.”

Nominated for six Tony Awards, "The Prom" was later made into a Hollywood film starring Meryl Streep, James Corden and Nicole Kidman.

"It’s the kind of big song-and-dance show that our audiences adore. When the show ran on Broadway, it was the sleeper of the season … the hit no one expected. It’s a real musical for people who love the theater. With its big fat heart on its sleeve, it’s a hard show not to fall in love with," said Axelrod artistic director Andrew DePrisco.