A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Awesome 80s Prom

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  8w, 12m

The Awesome 80s Prom is a brand-new blast-from-the-past party in the style of Tony 'n Tina's Weddingand The Donkey Show, set at Wanaget High's Senior Prom...in 1989! All of your favorite characters from your favorite '80s movies are at THE PROM.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    8w, 12m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period, Parody / Spoof
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • WINNER! 2006 Improv Theater Award - "Best Interactive Show"

Details

Summary

The Awesome 80s Prom is a brand-new blast-from-the-past party in the style of Tony 'n Tina's Wedding and The Donkey Show, set at Wanaget High's Senior Prom...in 1989! All of your favorite characters from your favorite '80s movies are at THE PROM. From the Captain of the Football Team to The Brain to the hottie Head Cheerleader, they're all competing for Prom King and Queen. And just like on American Idol, the audience decides who wins! Travel back in time and join the breakdance circle, or just sit back and watch the '80s drama unfold.

History

 

The Awesome 80s Prom premiered Off-Broadway at Webster Hall in New York City, under the direction of Ken Davenport.

BLAKE WILLIAMS, THE CAPTAIN OF THE FOOTBALL TEAM - Charming, egotistical. Everything comes easily to Blake.
MICHAEL JAY, THE CLASS PRESIDENT - A preppie young Republican. A Guy-Smiley, game show host type. Born to be a politician.
LOUIS FENSTERSPOCK, THE NERD - Introverted, computer geek.
[EXCHANGE STUDENT], THE MALE EXCHANGE STUDENT - The character name and backstory for this character are to be chosen by the actor who is cast in the role. He is thrilled to be in America and at prom. He just wants to fit in.
NICK FENDER, THE BAD BOY - Mean, defensive, obnoxious.
WHITLEY WHITIKER, THE HEAD CHEERLEADER - Sexy, bitchy and vain. Popular and proud.
KERRIE KOWALSKI, THE SPAZ - A sweet but hyper nerd. Wears headgear. In love with Blake Williams.
MELISSA ANN “MISSY” MARTIN, THE HEAD OF THE PROM COMMITTEE - Perfect. Way too perky. A goodie-goodie.
INGA SWANSON, THE SWEDISH EXCHANGE STUDENT - Tall and voluptuous. Speaks very little English, but speaks the ‘International Language of Love’ very well.
DICKIE HARRINGTON, THE DRAMA QUEEN - Flamboyant, fabulous and bitter. Wanted to play the lead in the Spring musical but Missy Martin beat him out.
MR. RICHARD “DICK” SNELGROVE, THE PRINCIPAL - A fascist dictator. Hates Prom night because the students get to have fun.
MRS. PATTY LASCALZO or MRS. L., THE DRAMA TEACHER - Loves everyone. Treats the students as if they were her friends. A bit of a leftover hippie. The teacher who always let you have class outside.
HEATHER WELLINGTON (#1), A CHEERLEADER - Whitley’s backup cheerleader. Beef’s girlfriend.
HEATHER WYNTERS (#2), ANOTHER CHEERLEADER - Whitley’s other backup cheerleader. Beef’s other girlfriend.
JOSHUA “BEEF” BEEFAROWSKI, A FOOTBALL PLAYER - Big and intimidating, but not too bright. The center of the Wanaget High Beavers football team. Blake’s “wing man”.
JOHNNY HUGHES, THE DJ - Although he’s called a DJ, he doesn’t have anything to do with music. He’s more of an “Emcee”. An extremely charismatic host who can warm up a crowd. A former student, Johnny is back at the Prom as the cheesy host. Keeps the action going all night long.
LLOYD PARKER, THE FRESHMAN - The president of the Audio-Visual Club allowed to come to the Prom to take pictures.
MOLLY PARKER, THE FRESHMAN’S SISTER - Lloyd’s tag-along twin sister, although they look nothing alike. A Junior Varsity cheerleader hoping to be like Whitley someday.
THE MYSTERY GUEST - An 80s impersonator.
THE PLANT - A breakdancer disguised as an audience member.
  • Time Period 1980s
  • Setting The Prom of Wanaget High School.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Audience Participation/Interactive
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

"[...] the real appeal of this pleasingly nostalgic night out is that it will allow some members of the Atari generation to experience something once thought impossible - enjoying the high school prom." - The New York Times, Read More 

 

ON BREAKING CHARACTER 

The Charm of The Awesome 80s Prom
by David O'Hara
May 16, 2019

Our Picks for The 2019/20 Season: K-12 Edition
Felicia Lucas
April 23, 2019

Creating THE AWESOME ’80S PROM: A Trip Down Memory Lane  
by Ishani Chatterji 
March 14. 2016

 

 

 

Videos

  • Awesome 80's Prom youtube thumbnail

    Awesome 80's Prom

Music

  • Musical Style Pop/Rock

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $130 per performance

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Ken Davenport

Ken Davenport is a Broadway and off-Broadway playwright, as well as a Tony Award-winning producer. His writing credits include the Broadway musical Gettin’ The Band Back Together as well as the off-Broadway shows The Awesome 80s Prom, My First Time, and Miss Abigail’s Guide t ...
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