Speaking from personal experience, the 80’s were more than a little awesome. The music, the hair, the fashion…ahh, what fun it is to reminisce. Don’t get me wrong, I did NOT get stuck in the 80s. I tried on a pair of leggings the other day, and just couldn’t bring myself to buy them. I’d rather see them on my daughter and let her borrow some of the jewelry I held on to.
Anyhoo, having been there and done that is certainly not going to stop me from experiencing the interactive fun of Awesome 80s Prom. From the stereotypical 80s movie characters to the music and period references, I can’t wait to attend Wanaget High’s prom. The cast is preparing for some hilarious improv and each show will end up having its own vibe based on who attends. Oh, did I tell you the audience votes for the Prom King and Queen each night?
The Awesome 80s Prom opens on Friday, April 30 and runs through May 30. Performances are at 7:30pm Thursday-Saturday and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $32 for adults and $21 for students. Book a group reservation for 15 people or more and tickets go down to $23 per adult and $15 per student. This show is a great night out with friends, a fantastic bachelorette party and a unique way to celebrate your birthday.
Single tickets go on sale April 13 for season subscribers and April 20 for the general public. Call 402-553-0800 or visit omahaplayhouse.org.
Group reservations are now available by calling 402-553-4890 x147 or emailing knewman@omahaplayhouse.com.
80s attire is encouraged but not required to enjoy this one. Be sure to bring your sense of adventure--perhaps a drink or two beforehand will help!
Special Events During the Awesome 80s Prom:
Friday, April 30- TAG Teen Prom- students attend for $7
Saturday, May 1- Gay Prom- pre-Prom party & performance for $32
Friday, May 7- ACT II Prom- pre-Prom party, performance
& post-Prom for $50
Friday, May 14- Curtain Club Prom- Rising Star subscribers attend pre-Prom and performance for $15
Special event tickets are available by calling 402-553-4890 x147 or emailing knewman@omahaplayhouse.com.
Here is the review from Dave Williams at The Reader http://tinyurl.com/3amxg2j
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9 comments:
This play began as a fun and well-casted performance about high school and its sometimes too true-to-life stereotypes. It began as a funny, interactive prom night but gradually and steeply deteriorated. The casting was ideal, but the script was near non-existent and storyline vague at best. The lights were slowly dimmed, smoke filled the room to the point that you couldn't see the other side of the stage, and a few comical innuendos suddenly turned to blatant and disgusting dialog and vulgar representations. The audience was encouraged to buy drinks from the bar, and it seemed fitting since the cast themselves were drinking and becoming increasingly discordant and sloppy. I actually walked out halfway through the "play" with the group I had attended with after we had realized it wasn't going to get any better and was only progressively diminishing in quality. At that point, the room had become a hazy, drunken, and embarrassing dance party for those who had spent too much time at the bar and were reliving their "glory days." This performance was great in concept, but flawed in action. Personally, I prefer entertainment that I don't have to be drunk to enjoy.
Wow Anonymous - interesting take on a very enjoyable evening.
As a cast member of "Awesome 80's Prom", I realize the show may not be for everyone. But I simply MUST take issue with your observation that "the cast themselves were drinking and becoming increasingly discordant and sloppy".
No one in the cast of "Awesome 80's Prom" consumes real alcohol in the show. The "flask" that a few characters pass around is stage prop and completely empty.
The occasional cups and wine cooler bottles are filled with water and juice because for as much running and around and dancing that we do in this show, we do get very thirsty.
I respect that you did not care for this particular production but I feel it would be unfair to leave your anonymous blog post out there for others to get the wrong impression about this show or the professionalism of the actors in it.
Jodi Taylor
If anyone would believe that the actors of any show at the Omaha Community Playhouse would drink actual alcohol than they were very fooled by the astounding acting that they performed. The sense of the show was to play your own part in the show, and every one experiences a different part of it.
If you don't like being interactive or "vulgar representations" than maybe this isn't a show for you but than again it's never hurts to do research on a show before you see it. As for the lights, smoke, and decorations the setting is at a high school. It's not supposed to be 'perfect'.
I wasn't going to say anything but I think we all know I can't keep my trap shut:
It always blows my mind when people ignore all marketing and reviews of a show which blatantly and - in this case - accurately describe the experience, then pay for tickets, then proceed to sit angrily with their arms folded and noses in the air judging the show, the script (ummm... really? This is IMPROV), and the volunteer actors.
By the by: these actors have collectively spent THOUSANDS of hours rehearsing and researching for this so they could give the best experience they are capable of.
I, for one, am incredibly honored to be a part of this incredibly smart, funny, dedicated group of actors who have had to put aside a lot of insecurities and learn to trust each other and the audience for this particular show.
You gave it maybe an hour before deciding you had to make a scene of your own by leaving in a huff and then trying to rob others of a fantastically fun and unique experience by hiding behind the shroud of the internet and explaining how you are a better person than the other 200 people that were there and having a blast.
If you're willing to step off your pedestal I'm sure this cast would be thrilled to explain how rude and ignorant you have proven yourself to be.
I found this to be the most fun theater production I have attended in years. I went twice it was so much fun! Keep it up, you are all a great cast and make it a wonderful entertaining experience.
-Emily Neve
I love this show because a person could go every night of the week and see a different show. There are different storylines occuring all over and so much happening, its a blast. And considering that the better part of this show is improv, I find it very disheartening and a little mis-informed that someone would say that "the script was near non-existent and storyline vague at best." I feel bad for this person and their friends because they didn't get to see the totally awesome endding that brings the night together.
I just don't understand, if something is advertised in multiple places as "interactive," how do people come to the show and still not get that it is interactive. Its not like you weren't told about it.
However, I'm glad to note that the cast is pretty convincing if you thought they were really drunk.
Let's face it. This show isn't for everyone. I would agree that an audience member has a responsibility to know about what they are going to go see before going to it. However, I have been hearing a lot of "audience bashing" going on by the cast of the show and it really bothers me. Just because someone isn't comfortable participating, doesn't mean they aren't enjoying the show. And not everyone will like every show. In any case, that audience member has spent time and money to come and see your production. Without an audience, there wouldn't be a theater. And in light of the recent issues the Playhouse has had, I don't think anyone should be insulting their audience members. What if "Anonymous" is a season ticket holder? He/She was just called "rude and ignorant" by someone who is in the cast of the show, and thus a representative of the Playhouse. I'm guessing "Anonymous" would not be renewing their subscription. I know I wouldn't.
I attended this show this weekend and found it to be an enjoyable interactive production. I thought it was well cast and had some very funny moments. I did have one issue with the production. I understand that each of the characters was more of a charicature ~ jock, over achiever, young republican, nerd, etc. However, I felt that having someone play an autistic type special needs student who continually gets picked on was a bit crass. A social misfit nerdy type (like the girl with the cabbage patch doll ~ she was funny!) made sense, but to have the guy with a crush on her have to be a special needs student I felt crossed the line. The actor was very talented and completely believable as an autistic young man, I just think it was an inappropriate and out of place character. I expected the playhouse to be a bit more socially responsible.
No one in this show is meant to be autistic. This comment is confusing to me. The character I believe you are referring to plays a nerd and nothing more was ever mentioned or intended by the script or the actor.
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