The Prom Premiere

From the Lido (in Paris) to Leichhardt (in Sydney’s inner-west), Broadway star Caroline O’Çonnor plays Dee Dee in the Australian Premiere of The Prom at a cosy new venue, the Teatro at the Italian Forum.  David Spicer spoke to her. 

Eight years after it ran on Broadway, and six years after the release of the movie starring Meryl Streep, The Prom will finally reach Australia in March.

The musical was inspired by a true story about a Lesbian student who was banned by a conservative school from bringing her girlfriend to the school’s celebration. At the time, celebrities sponsored a second chance Prom where all students were welcome. 

Stepping into the shoes filled by Meryl is Caroline O’Connor. Her recent dance card included starring in Sondheim’s Putting it Together and as the lead in Hello, Dolly! at the Lido on the Champs-Élysées.

David Spicer: What do you remember about your Prom (School Formal)?

Caroline O’Connor:  I was at St George Girls High. I remember it was such a big deal choosing the dress, what to wear, and, and who was going. But we didn't have that thing of, like, going with a boy, right? I think that's an American thing where they'll pair up with someone and then they give them a corsage. 

DS: Could you have brought a same-sex partner?

CO:  I don't even remember it being talked about. I went to an all-girls school. We had a co-ed dance with another school. That's where life has changed so much. Now it's important for us to be inclusive and to be accepting. It's important because it's not a choice in people's lives. It's who they are. 

DS:  How inclusive do you think the Performing Arts is these days?

CO:  I think we're probably the most inclusive, and always probably have been. 

DS: You play a Broadway star out of sorts after appearing in a flop.

CO:  Based on Eleanor Roosevelt. (Who would do that.) 

DS: Have you ever been in a Broadway flop?

CO:  I only do hits David.

DS:  What motivates your character and her peers to get involved in the campaign?

CO:  When they hear that a young girl has been banned from the Prom because she wanted to bring her girlfriend, they say, ‘that's the kind of story for us. We'll go and we'll be allies, and we'll bring this to people's attention’.

DS:  Do you think they are motivated more by the cause or to boost their sagging profiles?

CO: Well, I don't think they're washed up. They've just had a failure. It's like with people going on TV shows for publicity. They are not the sort of shows I would go on, but some people will do that. If you look at the younger generation, they're always posting things on their phones, and there's a lot of self-promotion. 

What's sad about the industry is how little attention we do get. You never see an arts segment on the telly. You only see the sports and the news. I think it's a bit sad. Hopefully, it will change, because we've got such talent here and such wonderful productions. It would be great to get the word out there a little more.

DS: What journey does your character go on?

CO:  Well, she goes to this town and just gets caught up in it. At first, I don't think she really knows what she's doing. She just knows that she's going to be able to gain some attention. But while she's there, she starts to have feelings for somebody. A lot of people that are in the theatre travel constantly. Work comes first. And I think it's kind of sweet that she has this moment.

DS: Do you see a lot of loneliness in the Performing Arts because of that?

CO:  Not anymore.  We can do FaceTime and all this messaging. Years ago, when I met my husband in the ‘80s, you used the public phone after the show. You'd have to find a public phone near the theatre somewhere and call your partner and if you didn't call early enough, then there'd be an argument because you hadn't been in touch. These days you speak to each other during the show.  You can have a nice little chat at interval. 

DS:  What do you like about The Prom – musically, and the storyline?

CO: I get to do shows like this very often. It has a lot of young energy to it. A lot of the music is pretty fabulous - the two young girls carry most of the show and I can’t wait to hear them sing.  I'm hoping I'll get to do a bit more dancing. My dancing days aren't over yet.

DS:  Well, it is set at a Prom (dance). Does your character attend the Prom?

CO:  I don’t want to spoil it.

DS: Last year you were the lead in Hello, Dolly! in Paris. Tell us about that experience.

CO: My goodness. They have spent a lot of money on refurbishment of the The Lido.  It used to be for cabaret and is now a legitimate theatre for musicals. The show sat so beautifully in that theatre and it felt like you were in the Harmonia Gardens (the setting for the title song of Hello, Dolly!).

DS: From the Lido to Leichhardt - it has a nice ring to it.

CO:  I’d work in a black box. Teatro is a beautiful smaller theatre. It’s an exciting theatre-going experience because you feel the energy up close and personal. Compared to huge venues it is becoming a more fashionable way to see theatre.

Season: From 24 March

Venue: Teatro at the Italian Forum, Norton Street, Leichhardt

Bookings: www.teatroitalianforum.com.au

Photographer: Robert Miniter