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.