Exclusive: Washington and DeBose Open Up About Their Mother-Daughter Bond in THE PROM

Hello, I'm Richard Ridge for Broadway World

One of the most eagerly awaited new films this holiday season is Ryan Murphy's Netflix adaptation of the beloved musical The Prom

And I caught up with some of the cast and creatives to find out what made it so special for them. Enjoy

My first question is for both of you. What has made being a part of the prom so special for each of you

Kerry, I'll start with you. I mean, working with this cast, working with these people

with these people was just a dream come true to work with Ryan, to work with Merrill, to work with

James, everybody, Nicole. It just was such a delight. And then, you know, to walk away with some

friends, you know, because we really did create community. And I keep saying to Ariana, like, she is

stuck with me for the rest of her life, no matter what she does, I am just going to be in her

corner and in her life. Period. And I'm so grateful because that's the gift of the prom. Like

I got a mentor and a friend out of it. In addition to an incredible experience with this starry, story cast and a brilliant visionary in Ryan Murphy

It's just a dream come true of a project for me. What's been the biggest pinch me moment for each of you

Kerry, for you. I think one of my biggest, you know, I love to sing

I love to sing. And I'm not like the strongest singer in the world. So I haven't done singing on Broadway, but I really, I sang all through high school and

college and I really love to sing. So getting to sing on film was really like a dream come true

And then getting coached through it by Ariana DeBose. Like, you know, what, like

her giving me tips on set and helping me like get it right That was just like such a dream That was cool I mean that was a pretty great moment I can believe Carrie Washington asked for advice So I was honored to give it I did get Miranda Priestley on my first day on set She scared the living daylights out of me But I bowed down and it was fine So it works out

This is such a beautiful story. You know, on Broadway, many people saw it. But now people will see this all around the world. I mean, the personal journey of what this means to each of you. Either of you take this

You know, I'll just say as a young woman of color who identifies as LGBTQ, like this is a huge deal, the fact that there is a queer story that centers around these two young women and that we can have this conversation and start to normalize seeing two young women together in mainstream media

It's so, so important. And then also seeing that this black family go through the process of coming out

because when one person comes out in the family, the whole family comes out and seeing that happy ending

it's just so, so important. So it was an honor to do this. Yeah, I feel really lucky that I get to play the villain

in such an important piece because I think that what Ryan and I tried to do

is to create a villain that people really could relate to and identify with and have some compassion

and understanding for her. And I think that's important as the film goes out into the world

I think there's going to be a lot of audiences that do see themselves in Mrs. Green

in their own discomfort and resistance. And so the fact that we are giving people a little bit of a blueprint to say, even if you're

uncomfortable, even if you're scared, you can still show up and love your child unconditionally

And this is what it looks like. I feel really blessed to be able to kind of hand those tools to audiences all over the world Finally quickly for both of you could if you could sum up the best part of the experience of working on the prom what it for each of you

Just working with everyone, having the opportunity to play in the same playground with these legends

and laughing with them, realizing that they're humans, then humanity is beautiful

and sharing that inclusive prom sequence with all of them that was really, really special

Yeah, I think just being able, to bring something so joyful into the world in such a crazy time in our, you know

that the fact that we're dealing with this global pandemic and a climate crisis and economic

downturn and systematic racism, like, it's hard out here in the world right now

And so to bring like a party to people into their homes and into their hearts feels so good

Hello, Interweb. My name is Emma Nolan and I'm 17. You might have heard of it

about the prom in Indiana. I just want to go to prom like any other kid

All opposed. I know we all have stories to tell and here's mine

Oh my gosh, check this out. It's all over Twitter. She wanted to take a girlfriend to the high school prom

And the PTA went apeshit and they canceled it. We have got to go down there. Yes

Raise holy hell. Yes. We will be the biggest. thing to happen in Indiana since whatever's happened in Indiana

We have come to this community. On behalf of a young girl

I just want to dance with you I sorry Who are you people We are from Broadway I just want to dance with you We not monsters

We're cultural disruptors. Your beliefs are not our beliefs

You don't know this town. I thought that when my parents rejected me

that I would never feel any worse. It never felt so alone in my wife

But you're not alone. And you do have friends. Where are they

Okay, people, this is the part where we roll up our sleeves and we put on a prom with our own bare hands

I just don't understand it. Well, I think it's brave. Let's get this party started

It's time to fill the prom for everyone. I'm going to take a

It can be done If music players And no one cares Who your unruly Heartless

Build it now I'm gonna take a stand For all the people out there

Who love someone in a way The world just Doesn't understand Until that day comes

I say to the cross And take to the floor That's what the floor's for

It's time to dance. Okay, admit that got to me. It's time to dance