THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

       First of all, "The Drowsy Chaperone" is NOT a tribute to old time musicals, but a masterful spoof of the 1920's musical shows with such preposterous plots. Through the character of Man in a Chair "The Drowsy Chaperone" is explored for its truisms and fallacies. When he puts the recording of "The Drowsy Chaperone"on his phonograph the stage goes back in time and comes alive. For example, when a Chinese production number is just thrown into the show just for good measure, The Man relates it is wrong, Asian is not for the occasion.  And then there is a song about a monkey which just seems thrown in, but its clever lyrics make it palatable.


       The role of  Mrs. Tottendale was originated on Broadway  by Georgia Engel well known for her role on the Mary Tyler Moore Show on TV. When Engel left the show she was replaced by other former television stars of the 60's and 70's Cindy Williams and hoosier Jo Anne Worley.


       This show is filled with zany characters that blow your mind like the Mutt and Jeff cooks who are really gangsters. And just like in those old musicals plots there are many mistaken identities and outlandish decisions. The title of the show comes from one of its characters, a chaperone for a bride to be. She also happens to drink a lot which puts her job to protect the bride in extreme jeopardy. Obviously she fails, because her drinking makes her blotto and drowsy.


       Now for the production credits. The complicated goings on are held together with the magical glue provided by the Man in the Chair, who also narrates and talks to the audience. This role is superbly played by Paul Hansen. The gangsters are nuttily played by Vincent  Accetturo and Craig Underwood. Kitty is played by Karen Frye whose role surprisingly resembles that of  Lina Lamont in "Singin' in the Rain". Nathanael Welch excellently plays Robert  Martin, the handsome  conceited groom. His tap dancing routine with Anthony Snitker as the best man is wonderful. Mrs Tottendale played by Vickie Cornelius Phipps,  Janet Van DeGraaf  played by Julia Bonnett, and the title role played by Nathalie Cruz all added to the hilarity. Nathalie's husband Ian Cruz plays the over romantic Aldolpho. There are so many in this talented huge cast that deserve mentioning but the audience's favorite supporting actor of the night I was there was Mark Fishback who  played the butler with the unusual name Underling.


 The show was directed and marvelously choreographed by Ron Morgan who hit the difficult stylization of the 1920 musical right on the head. The elaborate costumes were created by Jean Engstrom. The brilliant lighting design was by Ryan Koharchik. This exciting production has so many entertainment values that crew credits are also difficult to mention. It would be like mentioning  the whole program of cast and crew. So many contributed to the thorough enjoyment of the evening.


      "The Drowsy Chaperone" will be at the Tarkington Theatre  at the Center For The Performing Arts in Carmel through September 24th.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

The Beef  & Boards Dinner Theatre has a great show on its stage. This is one of the best productions of "Singin' in the Rain" I have seen, and I have seen quite a bunch. The credit has to go to the talented cast and crew.


Starting with the magnificent direction by Eddie Curry and the spectacular choreography by Ron Morgan there is not a dull moment on stage. Jill Kelly is responsible for the elegant costuming. This is really a fun show.


Heading the cast as a perfect Don Lockwood is Timothy Ford. He is truly a triple threat performer. He can act, sing and dance superbly. The night I saw the show, during the "Singin' in the Rain" number he slipped on the wet stage and went down with a resounding thud and splash. Immediately he ad libbed "I'm alright", finished the complete routine and the rest of the show without a hitch. A remarkable feat. 


Reliable Douglas Holmes reveals his remarkable comedic timing and posturing as Roscoe Dexter,  the film director.  Jeff Stockberger amusingly plays the pompous  Simpson, the studio boss. And Doug King surprises all with the best portrayal I have ever seen him do, that of  Cosmo Brown, the flamboyant dancer, singer, actor, piano player.


Sara Brophy compliments Tim Ford with a wonderful portrayal of  Kathy Seldin. Sarah Hund is the mad cap so called actress with the screeching voice, the villainous Lina Lamont. Sally Scharbrough is adorable as Zelda, the snitch, and Kenny Shepard impresses as the diction teacher in the hilarious number, "Moses".


What steals the show is the spectacular execution by the dancing performers. Ron Morgan's choreography is imaginative. The extremely talented supporting cast contributes immensely to the exciting production.



The stage version of "Singin' in the Rain" is based upon the MGM film, with choreography by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. The screenplay was written by that wonderful team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The familiar songs were by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed. 




 The"Singin' the Rain" production on the Beef and Boards Stage is a long show that you do not want to end.