CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Bolingbrook native Jordan De Leon and Roosevelt University grad Megan Grosso can't contain their excitement being back in Chicago performing before a hometown audience.
"We turned onto the street today and we saw the marquee, we saw the marquee from far away and we both started crying, we both said 'this is weird'" said De Leon and Grosso.
De Leon is a 2010 graduate of Benet Academy in Lisle and St. Scholastica Elementary in Woodridge. He said it's surreal being back
"I'm going to start crying again," he laughed."I remember taking a school field trip to see 'The Lion King' here at the Cadillac Palace Theater. I remember being here when 'The Circle of Life' started. The theater bug got me literally in the balcony of this theater and I never turned back," he recalled.
Grosso is a 2020 graduate from The Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University.
"I didn't know theater was a career choice," she laughed. "I was a competitive dancer growing up. I graduated during the pandemic so this is a long time coming."
Grosso says being back in Chicago is so special, after being on the road since November.
"I have a binder full of playbills from my career and my time in school. I have so many playbills from Chicago and being in this theater. I'm just so excited to be here performing at a theater where I used to see shows at all the time," Grosso said.
De Leon and Grosso are part of the cast of "The Prom".
"This is one of my favorite shows. When I saw it on Broadway, I was obsessed with it from the first note. I knew I wanted to be in this show. When the pandemic happened, I thought that opportunity passed me by. Now, being here in Chicago in a show that I love, love, love with all of my heart in the city I love, love, love with all of my heart is just such a gift," De Leon said.
The musical is the story of four Broadway veterans who take off to Indiana when they hear about a high school girl who wants to take her girlfriend to prom but parents and the school board are opposed.
Grosso said the show is about acceptance and love.
"We get messages all the time from people saying thank you so much for this show it means a lot to me, I feel seen and heard and I feel so safe and welcome in the audience. I think everyone leaves the show with a smile on their face and love in their hearts." said Grosso.
De Leon said the best part of the show is its message.
"It can feel preachy but what I think 'The Prom' does so beautifully it doesn't say, 'you're wrong and here's why.' It very lovingly says, 'we want to welcome you into this community with love and explain to you very lovingly, we are so similar.' There are so many things that unite us than separate us and the main thing that unites is is love. That's what this show does so well," said De Leon.
The cast of "The Prom" will be performing in Chicago through Sunday.
"We've been so excited to share this story with Chicago," said De Leon
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