Producers and co-Presidents of the Prom Committee announced the National Tour of the 2019 Drama Desk Award winner for Outstanding Musical The Prom will play at the Broward Center from December 14 – 19.
All guests, age 2 and up, must wear a suitable face covering while inside the theater. In addition, all guests, age 12 and up, must provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or of full vaccination status.
This hit musical stars Kaden Kearney (they/them) as “Emma, High School Student, Banned from the Prom,” Kalyn West as “Alyssa Greene, Head of Student Council with a Secret,” Courtney Balan as “Tony Award Winner Dee Dee Allen,” Patrick Wetzel as “Drama Desk Award Winner Barry Glickman,” Emily Borromeo as “Angie Dickinson, Broadway Chorine,” Bud Weber as “Trent Oliver, Esteemed Julliard Graduate/Cater Waiter,” Sinclair Mitchell as “Mr. Hawkins, High School Principal,” Ashanti J’Aria as “Mrs. Greene, President of the PTA” and Shavey Brown as “Sheldon Saperstein, Broadway’s Press Agent with a Plan.”
It was a pleasure to sit down with Patrick Wetzel who plays Barry Glickman for this exclusive Hotspots interview.
At what age did you begin performing?
The funny thing I was a shy child but took dance lessons at 7 or 8 and that segued into singing and school plays. I auditioned for a road company at 18 and the rest is history.
What was your first paid gig?
I was 18 and I started working at a local dinner theater and the actors would serve drinks before the show. Then do the first act and during intermission we would serve drinks again.
When did you know performing would be your career?
I went to see the national tour of Bob Fosse’s Dancing in Baltimore Maryland. I was 9 or 10 and it all clicked and that was a lightbulb moment and I thought that’s what I want to do.
Other than this one, what has been your favorite role so far?
Bobby in “Crazy For You” or The Man in Chair in the “Drowsy Chaperone.”
What’s your fantasy role (a role you haven’t played but want to)?
Harold Hill in the “Music Man.” It’s such a great part and that character has such an amazing journey on what he discovers throughout the story.
You have a hubby, how do you make it work with you being on the road?
This is the first time we have been apart this long. The fortunate thing about this tour is we have a few layoffs. My husband is also a Broadway actor, and he is in “Mrs. Doubtfire” on Broadway. I do miss him so much…even the bad habits.
What did you do/accomplish during the pandemic?
In trying to keep our finances going while theaters were down, we connected with a virtual tour guide company, Heygo.com, and we are tour guides for them in New York City. We loved it so much we are still doing it.
cast: Kaden Kearney (Emma), Kalyn West (Alyssa Greene), Courtney Balan (Dee Dee Allen), Patrick Wetzel (Barry Glickman), Emily Borromeo (Angie Dickinson), Bud Weber (Trent Oliver),
Sinclair Mitchell (Mr. Hawkins), Ashanti J’Aria (Mrs. Greene) and Shavey Brown (Sheldon Saperstein)
How excited were you to get back to performing for live audiences?
Oh gosh, it’s been emotional to get back to the whole process. But having the audiences and to have the actor audience relationship again after 18 months feels like everything is right, all-of-a-sudden, again!
What should our readers expect from this touring company of “The Prom”?
What’s great about this show is that it hits you right over the head with comedy and then reaches right into your heart and gets you with emotion. There are young teenagers singing and dancing their hearts out and funny Broadway characters that think they are saving the day but learn things themselves. It’s everything you want from a Broadway show with dancing, singing and comedy. It’s a beautiful lighthearted evening.
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For more info on Patrick, go to: Instagram.com/PatrickWetzelnyc
Tickets for The Prom are available at the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, or Browardcenter.org or by calling 954.462.0222. Ticket prices start at $25.
