Expect glitter with a dose of much-needed social commentary as Oak Bay High students hit the stage singing and dancing their way through The Prom.

Even a PTA meeting breaks out into song in the musical that follows four Broadway actors lamenting their days of fame as they travel to a conservative town to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to prom.

By the second act the community finally learns B次元官网网址済ay people are cool and not terrible,B次元官网网址� said Grade 11 student actor Madeleine Bartle-Clar.

It shares a message she values, in the face of current anti-gay and anti-queer rhetoric.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 happy we picked this one. itB次元官网网址檚 an important meaning to it, especially right now,B次元官网网址� Bartle-Clar said. B次元官网网址淚t makes people feel less alone.B次元官网网址�

Grade 12 student actor Cora Neil portrays one of the Broadway actors blasted by the press who heads to help the Indiana teen and along the way learns B次元官网网址渢o be a good person.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about things our culture needs to see,B次元官网网址� Neil said. The storyline leans on themes of learning and acceptance.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 eye-opening, thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of meaning,B次元官网网址� Bartle-Clar agreed.

Aside from that message, the show brings a boldness only high school dance and a handful of struggling stage actors can provide. Behind the scenes, stagecraft has developed a large set, especially compared to last yearB次元官网网址檚 Matilda B次元官网网址� where Neil portrayed Ms Honey, a stark calm contrast to her role this year.

And the large song and dance numbers rock that set. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot to look at,B次元官网网址� Bartle-Clar said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a lot of sparkles, walls, lights. I would call it a big party,B次元官网网址� Neil added. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 fun, there are certain parts that are unexpected and funny.B次元官网网址�

The Prom, with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Bob Martin and Beguelin, based on an original concept by Jack Viertel, is on stage at Oak Bay High with shows from Feb. 28 to March 8, in the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd.

Tickets are $10 to $12 and available online at .