Without trying to, the Lyric Arts production of “The Prom” makes a strong case that the show is best when performed for a Midwest audience.

The musical comedy follows Emma, a 17-year-old high school student in small-town Indiana who angers community parents and fellow students when she asks to bring her girlfriend to prom. Reading “three quarters of a news story” about this homophobic uproar on social media, four flailing Broadway stars decide to hop on a bus to the Midwest under the pretense of helping Emma — but really to save their own image by demonstrating selflessness.

At the heart of “The Prom,” running through Aug. 9, is its poignant satirization of both sides of the political spectrum. Competing onstage are outdated stereotypical Midwest conservatism and New York liberal elitism that veers into performative activism. The show first premiered on Broadway in 2018, where it ran for about nine months before closing due to low ticket sales; perhaps the Midwest characters just weren’t relevant enough to New York audiences, or maybe, in a New York production, the disapproving mom and high school bullies could have felt like caricatures played for drama.

But in Anoka, a politically split city, the struggle feels particularly relevant.

Lyric Arts’ casting stays true in character-type to both the original Broadway cast (starring Beth Leavel, Brooks Ashmanskas and Christopher Sieber) and the 2020 film adaptation (starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and James Corden). A particular standout here is Emily Grodzik as Broadway diva Dee Dee Allen. With the vocal flair, precise diction and confidence of a seasoned performer, Grodzik does justice to the biting wit of the lyrics.

Imani Harris and Sydney Lin in a scene from Lyric Arts 2026 production of "The Prom," which runs through Aug. 10, 2026 at the Anoka theater. The story follows Emma (Harris), a 17 year old high school student in smalltown Indiana who elicits PTA madness when she asks to bring her mystery girlfriend (Lin) to the prom. (Molly Jay / Lyric Arts)

Imani Harris’ take on Emma brings a new softness to the character, making her especially likeable. Harris’ palpable chemistry with co-star Sydney Lin, who plays her closeted girlfriend Alyssa Greene, envelops their clean vocal duets in a stunning intimacy. Lin plays the vulnerability of the struggle of being in-between: Alyssa wants to love openly, but does not want to risk losing the love from her family and friends.

The choice of minimal set dressing gives all the performers (including the committed ensemble) the chance to fill the space with big acting choices, which are continuously emphasized and even emboldened with flawless lighting design by Shannon Elliott.

At face value, the musical appears to make fun of people who cherry-pick Bible passages or religious teachings to validate their homophobia. But in her director’s note, Amanda White reframes her approach. Identifying herself as Christian, White writes, “I choose to use Jesus’ teachings as a guide. I think those teachings are wildly progressive.”

The political relevance of the play is ever-growing, she acknowledges, in times when the country is being shaped by “communities, legislators, and leaders, who say they speak on behalf of Jesus.” Her intention with “The Prom” is not to disregard Christians but to ask them to reassess their interpretation of faith.

And in White’s capable directorial hands, the majority of the viewing experience is pure bliss. “The Prom” has big musical theater numbers that embrace kitchiness and dance, and comedic dialogue that dishes one punchline after the next. Only in the second act does the show veer into long-windedness; the pacing becomes stagnant and the problems drawn out, but that’s a fault of the source material rather than this company.

Still, on a weekday night in Anoka, the audience remained engaged throughout, reveling in the performances in front of them. Viewers laughed loud, and nodded empathetically through the low points. Their reactions revealed that, for many, this story is more than a political satire — it’s a reflection of a struggle they’ve known before.

If you go

What: “The Prom”

Where: Lyric Arts Main Street Stage; 420 E. Main St., Anoka

When: Showtimes Wednesdays to Sundays through Aug. 9

Tickets: $56-$46 via lyricarts.org or by phone, 763-422-1838