Honest Review of The Prom on Broadway - Is It Worth Seeing?

Opening on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on October 23, 2018, the new musical The Prom has quickly drawn attention.
This comedy centered on a lesbian teen explores the pressures and joys of high school life in a way that invites comparisons to shows like the 2017 Tony winner Dear Evan Hansen.
Two of our staff were invited to attend, so here is a detailed report covering the synopsis, highlights, and candid impressions of The Prom.

The Prom tickets and show details

About LGBT and The Prom
Theatre guide
Official merchandise
Detailed seating guide
Honest review
Discount tickets

About LGBT and The Prom

Many readers will be familiar with the umbrella term often shortened as LGBT that refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. While laws and social attitudes have advanced in many places, prejudice and barriers still exist in others. This musical follows two high school girls in love as they navigate their community, their school traditions, and their own identities.

The Prom dramatizes how bias can be challenged and changed through courage and visibility. For a fuller synopsis and key highlights, see the detailed page below.

Detailed page for “The Prom” >>

About the performance venue

Longacre Theatre

Built in 1913, the Longacre blends a Beaux Arts aesthetic inside with a lively, neon lit exterior that fits the Times Square streetscape.

Address: 220 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036

Designed by noted architect Henry Herts, the interior features ornate classical detailing. For history and architecture notes, see the theater page below.

Longacre Theatre details >>

Inside the Longacre Theatre

Classical wall detailing in the Beaux Arts style

Beaux Arts ornament in pink and gold tones

A generous view of the mezzanine and balcony levels

Caution! Restrooms and the main bar are on level 4

Bar and restrooms located on the fourth level

The primary bar and restrooms are on the fourth level. Follow the signs past the mezzanine and balcony levels. The staircase is a long spiral and the climb from the orchestra can be strenuous.

Plan a visit with extra time so you don’t miss the curtain.

Check out The Prom official merchandise

The merch stand is one of the fun pre show stops. For this production, it is set up in the lobby at the entrance rather than deep inside the house.

Because it hugs the doorway, it is easy to miss during entry. The area also gets crowded before curtain, so consider visiting at intermission or after the show. Small items start around $10, T shirts around $30, and hoodies around $65.

Our seats for this performance

How to read the ticket: MEZZO B 22

Our seats were front mezzanine left, row B

Mezzanine Odd = front mezzanine, odd numbered side left
Row B = second row, seat 22

With a capacity of about 1,095 across three levels, the Longacre has a fairly steep rake above the orchestra, so most seats offer a broad view of the stage.

Seat width is moderate. If you prefer extra space, the aisle or a front row can feel roomier.

Longacre Theatre seating and sightlines

View from the orchestra

From the front to mid orchestra, you can see the stage cleanly. In the rear orchestra, the mezzanine overhang can cut into the top of the proscenium as shown in the photo.

The rake on the orchestra floor is gentle, so sightlines from the back rows can be blocked by taller patrons ahead. If choosing the orchestra, aim for front to mid rows.

View from the mezzanine

The sweet spot is the front center of the mezzanine. The height is comfortable, and you can take in full width dance numbers with ease.

In The Prom, large ensemble formations span the entire stage, which can feel cramped from the orchestra but read beautifully from the front mezzanine. Rear mezzanine gets quite high and becomes a steeper top down angle.

View from the balcony

From the third level, you are clearly looking down. The gap between the mezzanine and balcony is large, placing balcony rows near the ceiling.

Prices are lower here for a reason. Those with a fear of heights may want to avoid this level.

Instagram ready spot on level 4

Level 4 offers more than the bar and restrooms. There is a photo corner where you can pose with show boards and leave playful messages, a perfect souvenir shot.

Even with a 20 minute intermission, we happily lost track of time here. It feels like a hidden nook that matches the show’s playful spirit.

After-show thoughts on The Prom

Overcoming bias against sexual minorities

The story follows a lesbian couple determined to attend their school prom together, pushing back against resistance from peers, parents, and administrators. Beyond asking society to recognize their identity, the show spotlights how communities can change when people speak up and listen.

Rather than dwelling only on prejudice, it focuses on how others learn to accept what they once judged. It is a lively reminder of the value of embracing those who are different from ourselves.

A rush of high school nostalgia

Set at a small town high school, the show taps into familiar memories of teenage anxieties and campus life. The music is by Chad Beguelin with choreography by Casey Nicholaw teaming up again. The upbeat numbers and full company dances make it hard not to clap along.

Classic crowd pleasing American comedy

While it engages with topics like identity, social media, and politics, the tone stays bright and irreverent, packed with quick punch lines and cheeky gags.

Laughter rolled through the house from start to finish. If rapid fire English leaves you behind for a moment, just enjoy the energy and laugh along.

Keep an eye on the four Broadway has-beens in the plot

Top left Brooks Ashmanskas, top right Christopher Sieber, bottom right Beth Leavel, bottom left Angie Schworer

The plot kicks off when four down on their luck Broadway performers chase headlines by swooping into town to support the prom cause. Their vocals, dance breaks, and comedic timing are essential to the show’s charm.

In real life, all four boast impressive resumes. Read up before you go for extra appreciation.

1. Dee Dee: Beth Leavel

A veteran of more than a dozen Broadway shows, she won the Tony Award for The Drowsy Chaperone and Baby it is You, and starred in hits like Elf, Mamma Mia, and Hello, Dolly. At 63, she still delivers sharp dancing and powerhouse vocals.

2. Barry: Brooks Ashmanskas

A past nominee for both the Tony and Drama Desk Awards, he lands many of the biggest laughs. His dancing combines comic warmth with precision.

3. Trent: Christopher Sieber

Another Tony and Drama Desk nominee, he has appeared on popular TV series including Law and Order and Sex and the City. Openly gay and married since 2011, he brings heart and wit to the role.

4. Angie: Angie Schworer

Known for glamorous roles across stage and screen, she has even played Roxie Hart in Chicago. There is a playful Chicago inspired moment in this show that brought huge applause.