The Drowsy Chaperone: A Musical Within a Comedy!

Do you need a jolt of fun and energy? Do you enjoy Broadway musical productions that take you away from your hum drum boring life? Well then, I prescribe, The Drowsy Chaperone as an effective distraction from everyday life!

I saw this theatre production on February 28, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix. I found it thoroughly entertaining, and enjoyed escaping reality into the whimsical plot and characters, the high energy of the production and the colorful, visual stimulation of the on-stage costumes and backdrops.

Background of The Drowsy Chaperone

The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical that debuted 1998 in Toronto, eventually opening on Broadway in 2006. The plot was written in book form by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, the concept born when friends wrote a spoof of old musicals for Martin's wedding. According to Wikipedia, "The show has had major productions in Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Japan, as well as two North American tours."

A Quick Synopsis of The Drowsy Chaperone

The story of The Drowsy Chaperone is told from the perspective of a single man, called "The Man in Chair", who is a huge fan of the musicals of the Jazz Age. He tells the story as if he is sharing the plot of a favorite musical with the audience, interjecting little morsels of his own life as he does so. The Drowsy Chaperone has been described as a musical within a comedy.

As "The Man in Chair" plays songs from the musical production that he so loves, characters appear on the stage to tell the story of Janet Vandegraff, a glamorous showgirl who has decided to leave the spotlight behind for love. The story is set during the week of her wedding, and examines Janet's decision to exit the glamor of the stage, her oil tycoon fiance's adoration of her, and her manager's devastation at her leaving the show, which jeopardizes the continue success of the "Feldzieg's Follie's that he produces. Janet explains her decision in the song, "Show Off", where she sings, "I don't wanna show off no more."

The Drowsy Chaperone production includes quick-witted gangsters disguised as pastry chefs who can weave a humorous pastry term into every conversation. It has a ditzy-blonde side-kick of Janet's Manager, an aviatrix who brings her bi-plane on stage just in time for the ceremony and, of course, a chaperone.

The chaperone's role in the musical is to keep the two starry-eyed lovers from seeing each other on their wedding day, but this tipsy chaperone's love of prohibition alcohol (thus the "drowsy"), and her dalliance with the goofy latin lover who thinks she is Janet, sidetracks her from her duty. The wedding is jeopardized, called off and then back on, with fun, silly chaos intertwined between the two extremes.

The Costumes and Stage Set for The Drowsy Chaperone: All Glitz and Glamor!

Every scene and backdrop of The Drowsy Chaperone is eye-catching and full of glitzy décor and colorful bling. The costumes are dramatic and represent the glamorous, romantic Jazz era, albeit over the top a tad which is, undoubtedly, on purpose.

The Orpheum's stage was alive in Broadway musical style, as several scenes required the actors deliver their lines as they tap dance, a nostalgic trip back in time. There were also many fully choreographed scenes with the entire cast decked out, dancing and singing their way across the colorful set.

The Orpheum Theatre

Watching this fun production was further enhanced by the magnificence of the Orpheum Theatre. The venue section of the City of Phoenix website provides information on the 12-year, $14 Million renovation of this historic Phoenix theatre. It tells us that the restoration was intended to restore all its original splendor, "while retrofitting it as a modern theatre capable of handling anything Broadway sends its way." The restoration obviously did the job intended!

The Orpheum and Symphony Hall is operated by the City of Phoenix Stages Division. Friends of the Orpheum provide educational and restoration support through volunteer and fundraising programs. For more information on the Friends of the Orpheum, call (602) 257-4300. To see pictures of the Orpheum Theatre, view the slide show, "The Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona"

My evening at the Orpheum to see The Drowsy Chaperone was an enjoyable trip back to the jazz age, as I imagine it to have been. If you have a chance to see this musical production or enjoy a night at the Orpheum for another event, don't hesitate!

Resources:
Wikipedia's "The Drowsy Chaperone"
Wikipedia's "Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix Arizona
City of Phoenix: Orpheum Theatre