How Prom Queen: The Musical resonates with its student cast

It's a theatre production that became well known in London months before curtain open.

Prom Queen: The Musical, which had its official oppening at The Grand Theatre on Friday, first generated headlines in January when CBC London reported the city's two school boards had pulled funding for the production.

• LISTEN:Getting ready for Prom Queen

The musical tells the real-life story of Marc Hall, a gay student who took the Durham Catholic School Board to court in order to bring his boyfriend to prom in 2002.

More than 15 years later in London, the school boards' decision to disassociate themselves from the production starring all high school students led to a public backlash, a crowdfunding campaign andultimately a change of heart. The Thames Valley District School Board restored its funding.

Now that the high drama in the lead up to the production has passed, it's all about the high drama on stage.

Meet two students with starring roles

Marcy Gallant and Damon Guidolin, who are students at H.B Beal, have been rehearsing with the all-student castfor the last month.

Gallant, who plays Marc Hall's best friend, and Guidolin, who plays Hall's boyfriend, told CBC Radio One's London Morning the story of finding your place in high school is one they can relate to.

"It's truly inspiring because it's so relevant," said Gallant.

For Guidolin, the theme of self acceptance really resonates.

"The idea of struggling to accept yourself and feel accepted in your community speaks to all of us," Guidolin added.

"I found that throughout the play I was just slowly and slowly becoming the person I want to be as I live my life."

Here's the full conversation on London Morning:

Prom Queen: The Musical runs until September 29 at The Grand Theatre.

Guidolin hopes the production provokes discussion after people leave their seats.

"Regardless of a person's views, I just want them to leave the theatre thinking to challenge their own views or to be able to stay firm in their own views."