Brief Summary
The Ampliverse's Showgaz podcast reviews "The Prom," a 2020 Ryan Murphy Netflix musical about Broadway stars supporting a lesbian student banned from prom. The hosts discuss the film's merits, including its source material based on a real event, casting choices, musical numbers, and overall message. They also share personal prom experiences and debate the film's effectiveness in addressing LGBTQ+ issues and its reliance on musical theater tropes.
- The podcast reviews "The Prom," a 2020 Ryan Murphy Netflix musical.
- The hosts discuss the film's merits, casting choices, musical numbers, and overall message.
- They share personal prom experiences and debate the film's effectiveness in addressing LGBTQ+ issues.
Intro
The hosts introduce themselves and the podcast, stating that they will be discussing "The Prom," a 2020 Ryan Murphy musical. They joke about Netflix saving various shows and establish their podcast as the only one listeners need.
Emails From Listeners
The hosts read emails from a listener named Lucas, who apologizes for recommending "The Prom," describing it as a "pandemic era mid-century gay man's fever dream." Lucas also comments on a previous episode where Molly called Glee a "stain on the national consciousness" and references Sweet Charity, praising Gwen Verdon's performance and recommending a specific Fosse Verdon episode. Lucas shares his thoughts on Joker Folie and Anora, expressing a preference for Demi Moore's performance in Substance.
Viewership of Past Episodes
The hosts discuss the viewership of their past episodes, noting that their most viewed video is the Pride and Prejudice episode with 53,000 views.
Summary of The Prom
Molly summarizes the plot of "The Prom" in under a minute, detailing how Broadway stars attempt to help Emma Nolan, a student banned from prom for wanting to bring a same-sex date. The summary includes the stars' self-centered stunts, the legal case mandating the prom, Emma's closeted girlfriend Alyssa, and the eventual inclusive prom funded by the stars. Barry's backstory of parental rejection is revealed, and Dee and Principal Hawkins fall in love.
Personal Prom Stories and Initial Reactions
Molly shares that she attended an all-girls school, making the concept of checking dates seem foreign. R.J. went to prom with a friend, while Adam went with his girlfriend and attended multiple proms. They share their initial reactions to "The Prom," with Molly and Adam finding it more enjoyable than expected, and R.J. expressing initial disinterest.
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind The Prom
The hosts discuss the real-life inspiration behind "The Prom," the 2010 Itawamba County School District prom controversy involving Constance McMillan, a lesbian student who was initially prohibited from bringing her girlfriend to prom. They detail the events, including the school board shutting down the prom, the ACLU filing a lawsuit, and the creation of separate proms. Constance McMillan's story gained national attention, leading to celebrity support and recognition.
Production Details and Background
The hosts provide background information on "The Prom," including the music and lyrics by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, the book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, and its premiere in Atlanta in 2016 before moving to Broadway in 2018. They note the show's Tony nominations and general criticism of its uneven second act. The hosts also discuss the film adaptation, directed by Ryan Murphy, and its cast, release date, and initial casting changes.
James Corden's Casting Controversy
The hosts discuss the controversy surrounding James Corden's casting as Barry Glickman, a gay character. They debate whether a straight actor should portray a gay role, especially one involving trauma related to coming out. They also discuss the stereotype of flamboyant straight men and the missed opportunity to cast a gay actor like Andrew Rannells.
Critique of James Corden's Performance
The hosts continue to critique James Corden's performance, noting the lack of gay joy and wit in his portrayal. They feel he is merely performing and not connecting with the character's emotional depth, particularly in his relationship with Emma. They also discuss the decision to have Emma be kicked out by her parents, suggesting it would have been more interesting if her conflict was with Alyssa.
Casting Choices and Character Depictions
The hosts discuss the casting of Emma, played by Jo Ellen Pellman, who is queer in real life. They critique the decision to make Carrie Washington's character, Mrs. Green, black, questioning its authenticity in the context of Indiana. They also discuss the character of Principal Hawkins and how he saves the story from being a simple narrative of New York liberals versus conservative Midwesterners.
Redemption and Simplification of Issues
The hosts discuss the film's handling of redemption arcs, particularly Mrs. Green's change of heart. They compare it to the neat resolutions in "Hairspray" but note the lack of a serious, unifying moment acknowledging the weight of the issues. They also discuss the "Bible song" and its effectiveness in convincing homophobic teens to change their views.
Meryl Streep's Performance and Character
The hosts discuss Meryl Streep's performance as Dee Allen, noting her lack of a strong singing voice for the role. They compare her performance to Beth Leavel's in the original production and debate whether Streep's over-the-topness works for the character. They also discuss the age difference between Streep and Keegan-Michael Key and the lack of vulnerability in her character's redemptive song.
Critique of Musical Numbers and Character Development
The hosts critique the musical numbers, particularly "Straight People Have Feelings," and the lack of focus on Emma's character development. They feel that the film spends too much time on the Broadway stars' personal journeys, detracting from Emma's story. They also discuss the character of Angie Dickinson, played by Nicole Kidman, and her role in the film.
Nicole Kidman's Casting and "Zazz"
The hosts discuss Nicole Kidman's casting as Angie Dickinson, questioning whether she was the right fit for the role. They play a clip of Kidman performing "Zazz" and discuss the song's choreography and overall impact. They also debate whether Kidman's star power overshadowed the character's intended ordinariness.
Keegan-Michael Key and Musical Styles
The hosts discuss Keegan-Michael Key's performance and play a clip of his song, "Straight People Have Feelings." They note the song's problematic lyrics and debate its effectiveness. They also praise the film's use of different musical styles to differentiate between the Broadway characters and the younger characters.
Costume Design and Musical Theater Tropes
The hosts critique the costume design, particularly the monochromatic saturated costumes and the lack of authentic prom dresses. They also discuss the overuse of stepping in chorus numbers and the constant camera movement in Ryan Murphy's direction.
Just Breathe and Character Analysis
The hosts play a clip of Emma's song, "Just Breathe," and praise Jo Ellen Pellman's performance. They discuss the challenges of making Emma a compelling character and debate whether she should have been more of a reluctant hero. They also analyze Ariana DeBose's performance as Alyssa, noting her maturity and gravitas.
Contemporary Movie Musical Trends and Reviews
The hosts discuss the trend of stepping in contemporary movie musicals and the overuse of camera movement. They share reviews of "The Prom" from Rotten Tomatoes, Variety, and Vanity Fair, highlighting both positive and negative opinions.
MVP and Closing Thoughts
The hosts name their MVPs for the episode, with Molly choosing Keegan-Michael Key, R.J. choosing Meryl Streep and the book, and Adam choosing Jo Ellen Pellman. They also discuss their personal prom experiences and share their closing thoughts on the film.
Prom Date Scenario and Outfits
The hosts participate in a game where they spin a wheel to determine which "Prom" star would be their prom date. R.J. gets Jo Ellen Pellman, Adam gets James Corden, and Molly gets Ariana DeBose. They then describe the outfits they would wear to prom with their respective dates.
Outro
The hosts thank the listeners for joining them on their "Prom" journey and share where they went to dinner for their own proms. They conclude the episode with the show's usual outro, including credits and information on how to contact the podcast.
