Grand Theatre Celebrates PROM QUEEN: THE MUSICAL

The Grand Theatre is proud to officially announce that the 2018 High School Project will be the ground-breaking new production PROM QUEEN: THE MUSICAL, based on the true-life story of Marc Hall. At an event held yesterday, Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum told attendees that the Grand has secured the exclusive rights to stage PROM QUEEN this upcoming season, marking the first time the Grand's High School Project will produce a new Canadian musical.

"PROM QUEEN is about what happens when young people follow their heart and make a difference in the world. This brand new Canadian musical is fun, joyful, and a powerful story of triumph," said Garnhum. "Telling Marc Hall's story is an opportunity to come together and celebrate our commitment to inclusivity and individuality - the perfect way to launch our next High School Project."

Garnhum surprised the audience by introducing Marc Hall, who flew in from Alberta where he is a Research Associate at the University of Calgary. "PROM QUEEN is about telling the story of someone standing up for themselves. It's about an entire community mobilizing. It's about realizing that even if you feel small and insignificant in the world, you actually can create a huge impact. It's about love, fun, high school, and family. The show does a wonderful job of telling my story."

Additional special guests included Mary Young Leckie, producer of PROM QUEEN, and Michael Rubinoff, Producing Artistic Director of Sheridan College's Canadian Music Theatre Project. They were joined on stage by two of PROM QUEEN's creators, Colleen Dauncey (music) and Akiva Romer-Segal (lyrics), as well as sponsors, donors, and High School Project alumni.

PROM QUEEN will run on the Spriet Stage from September 18 to 29, 2018. This new, Canadian, award-winning production, originally developed through Sheridan College's Canadian Music Theatre Project tells the true story of 17-year-old Marc Hall. It's graduation time and Marc wants nothing more than to take his boyfriend to the prom. But the principal of the school he attends and the school board trustees won't allow it. Suddenly, Marc finds himself fighting not only for his right to choose his prom date, but also for the right to be different and have his voice heard. With more than 80 students onstage and behind-the-scenes, the Grand's High School Project will bring an authentic voice to a remarkable story celebrating youth.

Sponsors for the 2018 High School Project include Western Fair District, Make a Difference Community Pillar Partner Libro Credit Union, and Program Sponsor Thames Valley District School Board. In addition, two crowd-sourcing campaigns were started: the first was launched and led by David Billson with Rachel Berdan of rTraction and the second was started by Craig Martin. Over 737 people from London and across Canada donated, as well as Lerners LLP and Tourism London.

Tickets for PROM QUEEN: THE MUSICAL are now on sale. Prices are $35 and $40; $25 for those 17 and under; and groups of over 10+ receive $5 off; all prices include HST and CIF and are subject to change. Tickets can be purchased at www.grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street.

The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of the 2017/18 Season Sponsor BMO Financial Group.

44th ANNUAL GRAND GALA
In the spirit of PROM QUEEN, the theme of the 2018 Annual Grand Gala will be Prom Night. Marc Hall will return to London as the guest of honour. This event, in its 44th year, raises funds for the Grand's youth initiatives, which includes the High School Project. Over 250 guests are invited onto the Spriet Stage for three-course dinner, live and silent auctions, and special presentations. The Grand Gala is on May 24, 2018. Sterling Marking Products returns as the Presenting Sponsor.

To reserve tickets, contact Nora MacLeod at 519-672-9030, ext. 262 or email nmacleod@grandtheatre.com.

PROM QUEEN: THE MUSICAL
Spriet Stage, September 18 - 29, 2018

Book by Kent Staines
Music by Colleen Dauncey
Lyrics by Akiva Romer-Segal
Produced by Mary Young Leckie
Based on the true life story of Marc Hall

Orchestrations, Dance Arrangements, and Incidental Music by Mark Camilleri

Prom Queen: The Musical was originally produced by The Segal Centre for Performing Arts (Lisa Rubin, Artistic and Executive Director, Jonathan Rondeau, General Manager), in Montreal, on October 27, 2016, directed by Marcia Kash. It was presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals in 2017. www.namt.org. Prom Queen: The Musical was developed in part at the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals in 2018.

About the Grand Theatre:
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director Deb Harvey, the Grand is a leading cultural hub proudly located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Grand offers diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe through collaborations with national and international performing arts organizations and is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original homegrown stories through COMPASS, a New Play Development Program. The Grand supports educational programming and youth mentorship such as The High School Project, the only program of its kind in North America, and 100 Schools, a new community initiative that brings professional theatre to London-area schools in 2018 at no cost.

A not-for-profit regional theatre, the Grand produces and presents professional theatre on two stages: the Spriet Stage (839 seats) and the McManus Stage (144 seats). The Grand's season runs from September to May.

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