Paso High Theatre Company presents the Drowsy Chaperone
See The Drowsy Chaperone, presented by the Paso High Theatre Company, this weekend. Photo by Meagan Friberg
Order tickets now for final weekend of comedy-musical show
–Tickets are still available for the final performances of The Drowsy Chaperone, presented by the Paso High Theatre Company. After a wildly-successful opening night and two additional performances last weekend, the stage is set for shows on Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30, at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m.
Directed by Paso Robles High School theatre and drama instructor Marcy Goodnow, the show boasts a cast and crew that truly deliver a standing-ovation-worthy performance. Alex Bigelow, a senior at PRHS and part of the production’s dance ensemble, encourages the community to see The Drowsy Chaperone and support the local high school theatre group.
“I think audiences will love this show because it is so funny and there are many awesome jokes,” said Bigelow. “It has many layers and is visually beautiful. It’s entertaining, but the audience will still leave the theater as if they learned something.”
The Drowsy Chaperone has actors with Paso Robles Theatre Company singing, dancing, and acting their way through the musical comedy. Photo by Meagan Friberg
With lyrics and music by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, The Drowsy Chaperone is a parody of 1920s musical comedies. The book, written by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, was adapted and brought to the stage in 1998 in Toronto and opened on Broadway in 2006. Nominated for numerous honors, it has garnered several Tony and Drama Desk awards and has had major productions throughout the world including Toronto, New York, London and Japan.
The show begins as a theatre fan plays a record of the fictional musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone. As performers act, sing, and dance their way through the storyline, the fan humorously provides the audience with a running commentary as to the specifics happening onstage. The fan, referred to as Man in Chair in major productions of the show, is played by a young woman, PRHS junior Maycee Ham, in the local version and consequently is referred to as Woman in Chair.
“It’s all about who fits the character best,” said senior Julie Schultze, who plays Trix the aviatrix, and is a part of the dance ensemble. “Maycee, our Woman in the Chair, fit the role wonderfully and she was cast because she has the capabilities to play and relate to the role.”
The premise of The Drowsy Chaperone revolves around the upcoming nuptials of tycoon Robert Martin, played by PRHS junior Graham Farrell, and Broadway star Janet Van De Graaf, played by senior Amber Burgh. Emotions run high and hilarity ensues among a host of characters, including the alcoholic Chaperone and her Latin lover, Aldolpho; Broadway producer Mr. Feldzieg and the ditzy stage hopeful, Kitty; best man George, and Mrs. Tottendale and her employee, Underling.
Cast and crew of The Drowsy Chaperone celebrate their opening night last weekend. Photo by Meagan Friberg
With numerous attempts to sabotage the wedding day, a dream sequence, tap dancing, singing, and ultimately more marriage proposals happening, The Drowsy Chaperone is a live production not to be missed. Costume design for the show provided by Ruth Enriquez-Bague, and choreography by Courtney Brock. Vocal direction provided by Aimee Ware, and set design by Geoff Higgins. Musical numbers include Cold Feet, I am Adolpho, and As we Stumble Along.
Goodnow pointed to Toledo Surpise as her favorite musical number in the show. “I love them all, but it is a special moment when everyone is on stage,” said Goodnow. “Thirty-six tap dancing teenagers – that’s quite a feat!”
When asked why she chose The Drowsy Chaperone for the theatre group to perform in their final show of the school year, Goodnow said she wanted to have the students experience tap dancing in a show.
As to what audiences will love about the show, her answer was simple. “The energy, she said. “It is infectious.”
For tickets, go to prhsdrama.com or paso-high-theatre-co.ticketleap.com/the-drowsy-chaperone. General admission, $15; students, seniors and children, $12. Limited amount of tickets may be available at the box office; the show is expected to sell out.
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