Beth Leavel took the stage at Late Night With Seth Meyers February 11 to lead her castmates from Broadway’s The Prom in a performance of one of her big numbers, “It’s Not About Me.”
The original Broadway musical, directed by Tony winner Casey Nicholaw, opened at the Longacre Theatre November 15. Written by Tony winner Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, with music my Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Beguelin, the show blends old-time musical comedy with a contemporary sound.
READ: Why the Creators of Broadway’s The Prom Needed to Write Two Scores in One
The show opens with (fictional) Broadway greats Dee Dee Allen (Leavel) and Barry Glickman (Tony nominee Brooks Ashmanskas) celebrating the opening night of their new Eleanor! The Musical. But when reviews come in panning the two stars for their narcissistic performances, they decide they need an image rehab. Along with fellow down-and-out actors Trent (two-time Tony nominee Christopher Sieber) and Angie (Angie Schworer) they take up the cause of a teenager in Indiana, Emma (Caitlin Kinnunen), who is being barred from attending her prom with her girlfriend.
“It’s Not About Me” marks Dee Dee and her entourage’s arrival to Indiana.
Leavel most recently appeared on Broadway in the original musical Bandstand. She has previously collaborated with Martin, Sklar, and Beguelin on shows like Elf and The Drowsy Chaperone, for which she earned a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award in 2006. She was Tony-nominated in 2011 for Baby, It’s You!.