RIDGEFIELD — Ridgefield Theater Barn kicks off their 60th season of performances with their electric production of The Prom, which runs until September 28. The show is special not just because it makes full use of the new upgrades and expansions to the venue, but because the knock-out performances, energetic choreography, and lively orchestra, make for an experience that is as heartwarming as it is hilarious.

Based on a true story, The Prom is a musical that tells the story of four self-absorbed Broadway stars Dee Dee Allen (played by Marilyn Olsen), Barry Glickman (Anthony Laszlo), Angie Dickinson (Rachel Rosado), and Trent Oliver (Michael Valinoti) who lament their dwindling fame, as well as Dee Dee and Barry’s publicist Sheldon Saperstein (Zach Hudson). Wanting to improve their image and revitalize their careers, the group descends on a small town in Indiana to champion high-schooler Emma Nolan (Audra James) after her prom was cancelled because she wanted to bring her girlfriend as her date.

All of the performers, from the main cast to the ensemble, are brimming with energy and make their characters come to life on the stage. Olsen’s fabulous performance as the spoiled diva and Tony award-winning actress Dee Dee make the character’s eventual transition into a kind person, or someone who’s at least trying really hard to be one, believable and endearing. She is absolutely hilarious and gets some of the biggest laughs of the show from her banter with the other characters, especially her fantastic chemistry with Laszlo. Olsen also has a phenomenal voice and can belt like there’s no tomorrow, shining in numbers like “The Lady’s Improving” where she takes center stage.

Laszlo is another absolute riot as the equally narcissistic actor Barry, who’s energy and campiness is contagious and a treat to watch throughout the whole show. Even though Barry starts out as self-involved and just want to improve his own image, the bond he develops with Emma through all the fantastic scenes they share together is truly heartwarming. Laszlo makes the character as endearing as he is funny, and it’s hard not to smile at seeing how he takes Emma under his wing or when he gets excited to finally go to prom.

Rosado bounces off all the other stars and is very funny as the confident diva and life-long chorus girl Angie, and gets her moment to shine in “Zazz,” where she encourages Emma to be more confident in herself. Seeing them both dance together and embrace each other’s energy is just a delight. Valinoti is just as funny as the immensely proud Julliard graduate Trent. It’s Valinoti’s boisterous confidence and goofiness that he brings to Trent that makes the character so much fun. That energy also makes the numbers he leads like “The Acceptance Song” and “Love Thy Neighbor” equally as entertaining.

The other cast members are fantastic too. James gives a phenomenal performance as Emma, with her strong voice and vulnerability carrying through both in regular scenes and in songs like “Just Breathe” or “Unruly Heart.” She truly is the anchor of the show, and you just can’t help but to root for her and her girlfriend Alyssa Greene (Clara Sussman) to finally have their happy ending. There isn’t a moment more triumphant than when they finally get to walk out into prom in their dazzling outfits at the end. Mr Hawkins (Fred Rueck) is perfect as the level-headed and down-to-earth principal, who plays the straight man to all of the Broadway stars antics. His blossoming relationship with Dee Dee, where he eventually helps her start improving as a person and highlighted with his great performance in “We Look to You,” is also incredibly sweet to see. Then there are the people who stand in the way of Emma going to prom with her girlfriend, including the catty PTA member Mrs Green (Kristin Wahrheit) and cheerleaders Shelby (Sarah Paschal) and Kaylee (Zoe Anderson) who are equally rude as they are popular. Wahrheit, Paschal, and Anderson all lean into the full pettiness of their characters, and for as much as it hurts to see them hurt Emma, they all play their parts very well.

The choreography, courtesy of Bonnie Gregson, is an absolute highlight of the show. Big dance numbers like the upbeat, magnetic opener “Changing Lives” are absolute treats to see. Everyone spins and jumps in snazzy and dazzling formal wear, with the ensemble dressed as waiters and waitresses holding up dishes; all carefully weaving in and out of each other as they sing their hearts out. Between the fun performances and the lively music from the 10-piece orchestra, shoutout to Music Director John Failla, it starts the show in a way that leaves the audience wanting more.

There’s also “The Acceptance Song,” which is a delightfully cheesy number that has the Broadway stars perform at a monster stuck rally to convince the locals to accept Emma and appreciate their differences. Of course, the celebrities are as narcissistic as ever, so the whole song is just them entertainingly making everything about themselves, coupled with the ensemble decked out with kazoos, gay pride flags, and large rainbow streamers, waving around a giant portrait of Emma. Other standouts include “Dance with You,” which is a sweet little number between Emma and her girlfriend Alyssa Greene (Clara Sussman). The shining lights from the disco ball on the ceiling shimmer across the walls of the Barn as James and Sussman gently sing to each other for an especially touching moment. “Tonight Belongs to You” is another big, boisterous number that lets Gregson’s choreography shine, and makes the contrast of seeing the high schoolers dance and celebrate next to Emma standing there miserably all the more heartbreaking. It makes the end of Act I hit hard, and leaves the audiences sitting with that gut-punch through the intermission.

The costume design is also amazing, from the casual midwestern clothes and especially all of the lovely prom and other formalwear outfits. That carries over into the set design, too. Emma’s room is believable and endearing, with the walls littered with posters and her bed decked out with an adorable squishmallow plushie. Truly, the world would be a better place if we could all make beds as fast as the crew does during the scene transitions. The prom at the very end is another stand out with all the fun streamers, as is the motel with its run-down sign and table covered in bottles.

“The Prom” is a runaway triumph. It’s easy to see in numbers like “Unruly Heart” and “It’s Time to Dance,” where the raw emotions from both cast and ensemble are on display, that everyone gave the show their all. There isn’t a better way for the Barn to start their 60th season of performances, and is a definite must-see.

The Prom will continue until Saturday, September 28, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 5 pm. While tickets are sold out for Friday, September 13 through Sunday, September 15, as well as Sunday, September 22, tickets for the other performance dates are still available. Tickets are $40 for adults, and $35 for seniors, students, and veterans. All sales are final.

The Ridgefield Theater Barn is located at 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Housed in a rustic converted dairy barn leased from the town of Ridgefield, the Barn continues to produce an ongoing series of comedies, dramas, and musicals. They maintain a production schedule of four shows per year, with performers chosen through open auditions. For more information, visit ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org, call 203-431-9850, or email info@ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.