Have fun at ‘The Awesome 80s Prom’ this weekend

The Acadia Players are ready to take the stage Friday night, this time with “The Awesome 80s Prom.”
The play, which offers an unusual and fun immersive experience, is set at the Wanaget High Senior Prom in 1989.
Although the curtain opens at 7 p.m., attendees who arrive early will be treated to an entertaining interactive experience, including a chance to meet some of the candidates for prom king and queen and an opportunity to pose for a picture in front of the backdrop.
The show features a cast of characters plucked from everyone’s favorite 80s movies, including jocks, nerds, goodie-goodies and foreign exchange students, all of whom are struggling to figure out who they are and how they fit in with their classmates.
The play focuses on the race for prom king and queen, with each of the students vying for the crown campaigning hard for the win.
Theater-goers should be impressed by this production. It includes what is by far one of the strongest and most diverse casts that the Acadia Players has presented in recent years. All of the actors are good matches for their roles, and casting is age-appropriate. Adults play adults and kids play kids, and they are all well prepared for their time on stage.
It comes as no surprise that Amanda Caldwell, a seasoned actor who has been in a number of Acadia Players productions, is a stand-out in her role as prom organizer Melissa Ann “Missy” Martin. She is just the right amount of giddy as she addresses the prom crowd and seeks the prom queen crown.
And, once again, Ashley Turner, another experienced actor who has been in several Acadia Players productions, brings her enthusiasm and comedic talent to her turn as Cyndi Lauper. Turner, a natural on the stage, can always be counted on for a great performance.
Taya Hollier, a new face in the theater group, is also a standout as snobby cheerleader Whitley Whitiker. Her cheer dance with her groupies, the Heathers (Kimberly Sharon and Kiara Brown), is great.
Da’Markus Zenon deserves special recognition for his role as class president Michael Jay, as do Kaleb Sharon as photographer Lloyd Parker and Emma Istre as Dickie Harrington, both of whom seem to put themselves out there for the most interaction with the crowd.
It is almost impossible not to join the actors as they celebrate the last big event of their high school careers. Audience members will find themselves clapping along with the prom crowd, and it is downright fun to be asked to sign a yearbook in the middle of the play.
One of the most unique things about this play is that there are at least three different endings, with the outcome being left to the audience as the members are asked to vote for prom king and queen. Accordingly, one has to attend a showing to know the ending, and the ending might not be the same for all showings.
It should be noted that this play contains adult humor and is not for young children.
“The Awesome 80s Prom” will premier Friday at 7 p.m. at the Acadia Parish Center for the Arts & Culture, 530 W. Mill St. in Crowley. There will be a second showing at 7 p.m. on Saturday night, with the third and final showing set for 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The play is being presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.