The Prom

 Now streaming on "Netflix", the movie "The Prom" is a movie adapted from a Broadway musical by entertainment mogul Ryan Murphy.

Based on a true story, "The Prom" tells the story of Emma, played by Jo Ellen Pellman, a girl in a small town in Indiana who wants to take her girlfriend, Alyssa, played by Ariana DeBose, to the prom. The school PTA board take a vote, and Emma's plea is denied. She can attend prom, just not with her girlfriend.

Meanwhile, on Broadway, Dee Dee Allen, played by Meryl Streep, and Barry Glickman, played by James Cordon, have just opened a show entitled "Eleanor Roosevelt: The Musical!" Unfortunately, the reviews were horrible, and it opened and closed on the same night.

Despondent, Dee Dee and Barry turn to the bar in Sardi's to drown their sorrows. While there they encounter Trent Oliver, an out of work actor who graduated from Julliard, played by Andrew Rannells, and Angie Dickinson, a Broadway chorus girl, played by Nicole Kidman.

Dee Dee and Barry got such horrible reviews that they turn to social media for a story that they can use to help make a difference in someone's life-while earning them some positive press in the process. They then read Emma's story on Twitter. From there, they hatch a plan to head to Edgewater, Indiana to dole out some justice for Emma.

The four Broadway actors head to Indiana on a bus, accompanied by the touring cast of "Godspell." Once they arrive in Edgewater, Indiana, the town will never be the same.

The movie also has great performances by Keegan Michal Key, who plays Emma's school principal, Mr. Hawkins, and Kerry Washington, who plays Alyssa's mother.

Despite the rampant homophobia in the small town in Indiana, the film is full of uplifting musical numbers and laughs. There are heart tugging scenes as well, from both Pellman and Cordon.

My favorite musical number is the finale, "It's Time to Dance." Look closely at the attendees of the prom in the finale-all of them are queer individuals. Whether they be gay, ace or trans, genderqueer or genderfluid, or any of the other letters in the LGBTQ acronym, all are welcome at the prom. 

As a devoted Broadway fan, there are things about the movie adaptation that I don't especially care for. I know the soundtrack of "The Prom" by heart. All of the songs from the show are present in the film, although not all of them are performed in their entirety. I wish the film had been cast with the Original Broadway Cast, as they are an amazing, and amazingly talented, group of artists. That being said, the cast in this film are wonderful and made a great movie.

Listen to your unruly heart, and watch "The Prom." All are welcome. Now streaming on Netflix, 5 stars.