In the heart of Indiana, a place known for its conservative values, Mrs. Greene (Kerry Washington) calls a pivotal Parent-Teacher Association meeting that promises to reverberate throughout the community. The catalyst for this gathering is Emma Nolan (Jo Ellen Pellman), a brave lesbian student who dares to defy the status quo by wishing to attend the prom with another girl—an act that clashes with the town's longstanding traditions. Under pressure from the media, Mrs. Greene demonstrates her political acumen by pointing out that banning one student could lead to serious legal repercussions, possibly even cancelling the prom entirely.
Meanwhile, as the lights of Broadway shine brightly, the stars of the musical Eleanor!: The Eleanor Roosevelt Story, Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep) and Barry Glickman (James Corden), gear up for their opening night. However, unbeknownst to them, their inflated egos could be their undoing. At their premiere party, their publicist, Sheldon (Kevin Chamberlin), unceremoniously delivers the news of a harsh critique from The New York Times, lambasting their self-absorbed performances and predicting closure for the show.
Amid this turmoil, Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannells), a Julliard graduate waiting tables at the premiere, meets Angie Dickinson (Nicole Kidman), a devoted performer stuck in the ensemble for 20 years. They bond over their frustrations and disappointments in the industry.
Prompted by Barry's inventive idea, Dee Dee, Angie, and Trent devise a bold initiative to reclaim their reputations by advocating for a noble cause. They discover Emma's plight on social media, where Principal Tom Hawkins (Keegan-Michael Key) vows to champion her rights. Seizing this moment, the trio remixes their empowering anthem "Changing Lives," fueled with fresh determination to usher in change, setting off to join Trent's tour of Godspell and head toward Indiana.
Amid Emma's struggles with relentless bullying from her peers—still stinging from the prom’s cancellation—comes a ray of hope in the form of Alyssa Greene (Ariana DeBose), Mrs. Greene's empathetic daughter. In a moving musical number, "Just Breathe," Alyssa articulates the deep pain of being gay in their conservative environment, reassuring Emma that brighter days lie ahead.
As the stakes rise, Mrs. Greene adamantly opposes the proposal for an inclusive prom, advocating for traditional values and the town's perceived freedoms. During the contentious PTA meeting, Alyssa passionately advocates for the importance of inclusivity, but her mother remains steadfast. Just when tensions peak, Dee Dee and the ensemble burst into the room, their protest signs in hand, intent on supporting Emma's cause, while Dee Dee’s self-serving performance of "It's Not About Me" masks an ulterior motive for fame.
As the sun sets, Emma sneakily meets Alyssa, dreaming of a prom night devoid of prejudice, marked by their heartfelt "Dance With You." Meanwhile, back at the hotel, the cast grapples with disappointing accommodations and find themselves unexpectedly out of tune with the audience at a monster truck rally, where they attempt to perform “The Acceptance Song” to tepid applause.
Despite these setbacks, hope reignites when Hawkins shares that the prom is back on, and the group rejoices. Barry, eager to support Emma, helps her choose her prom attire while Dee Dee learns about Emma's challenging home life, leading to an enlightenment of her own. A chance encounter has Mrs. Greene candidly discussing activism with Dee Dee, leaving both women to ponder their places in the ongoing struggle against intolerance.
The spotlight shifts to the prom, but unbeknownst to Emma, Mrs. Greene has devised a plan to host an alternative prom designed to exclude her. Heartbroken, Emma confronts this betrayal, while Hawkins realizes Dee Dee’s motivations may not align with Emma's best interests. In this emotionally charged atmosphere, Emma and Alyssa navigate their relationship, revealing the complexities of love amid adversity, while Barry's connection with Emma inspires him to share his own painful prom tale in a dazzling musical fantasy.
As the tension between inclusivity and conservativism escalates, Emma steps into the limelight, displaying her strength and resilience through her viral internet anthem "Unruly Heart." The awakening it provokes among LGBTQ+ youth globally underscores the importance of acceptance and representation.
Despite deep financial woes, a heartfelt generosity emerges as each actor contributes to financing the prom, eventually rallying under the hopeful banner of love and acceptance. As the joyous event unfolds, culminating in an electrifying performance by Emma, it becomes a celebration of diversity, triumphing over fear and prejudice. In the end, both friendships and new love flourish in a night of unity, capped off by Barry being crowned prom queen, echoing the powerful theme that love, in every form, deserves to be celebrated.
