Lesbian musical The Prom features a real-life wedding on stage
Armelle Kay Harper married actress Jody Smith on-stage after a performance of The Prom musical
Broadway musical The Prom has made history, by hosting a real-life lesbian wedding on stage.
The Tony-nominated Broadway show revolves around a lesbian high school student who is denied permission to bring a female date to prom.
Audiences at New York’s Longacre Theatre got to witness a real-life happy ever after moment on Saturday (August 3), as a crew member tied the knot on stage.
Lesbian couple marry at performance of The Prom
During the curtain call, the show’s script coordinator Armelle Kay Harper married actress Jody Smith.
The wedding was performed by The Prom book co-writer Bob Martin, who got ordained online for the on-stage ceremony.
Armelle Kay Harper married actress Jody Smith on-stage after a performance of The Prom musical
He told the crowd: “You’ll be thrilled to know I’m not asking you for money.
“This is a very exciting night, as two people who are very dear to our hearts have decided to get married.
“They are going to get married, right here, right now. As far as I know, it’s never happened on a Broadway stage before. I’m pretty sure it’s a first.”
Exchanging vows, the pair said: “I commit my life to you. I promise to honour and care for you, to cherish and encourage you, and to love you completely you through all experiences of our lives.”
Couple got engaged after 19 days
The couple met on dating app Bumble in 2017, and got engaged nineteen days later.
Speaking to the New York Times, Harper said: “You’ve heard the joke about lesbians, right? What do lesbians bring to a second date? A U-Haul.”
Explaining the special place the show has in both their lives, she added: “There are so many shows where lesbians are secondary characters or the butt of the joke.
“We all love Fun Home, but it’s a drama. So The Prom is really unique in that it’s a celebration, and it’s funny without being at the expense of lesbians. It’s just so much joy.”
The pair are holding a more traditional wedding celebration on September 21.
Harper, who says she grew up in an “incredibly homophobic” environment, said that much of her family will not be attending.
She added: “Even coming from that background, I’ve never felt a pinch of regret or shame.
“Loving Jody is worth everything. And being myself is worth everything.
“Hopefully, with time, they’ll see that this is beautiful.”
