NCT's DROWSY CHAPERONE Starring Clay Aiken and Beth Leavel Opens Tonight!

American Idol star, Clay Aiken, returns to the stage as "Man in Chair" in North Carolina Theatre's production of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE along with Tony-Award winner, Beth Leavel, who will be reprising her role as "The Chaperone." The show opens tonight, May 7 and runs through May 12 at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

A Raleigh native, Mr. Aiken first came to national attention on the second season of American Idol in 2003, Since then, Clay Aiken has released five well-received albums, selling over 6 million units as of 2011 and penned a New York Times best-selling memoir. In 2008, Clay Aiken began his critically lauded stint as the inept yet endearing "Sir Robin" in the Broadway musicAl Monty Python's SPAMALOT. SPAMALOT Director Mike Nichols later referred to Aiken "an excellent comic actor and a master of character." A longtime friend and supporter of NCT, this will be Mr. Aiken's return to our stage having performed here in his youth.

Beth Leavel will reprising the title role that won her a Tony Award. A Raleigh native, Beth also starred as "M'Lynn" in NC Theatre's 2012 production of Steel Magnolias. Before her Broadway debut in 42nd Street, Beth attended Broughton High School and is a graduate of Meredith College and UNC Greensboro. For her performance in the Broadway production of The Drowsy Chaperone, Beth has received a Drama Desk, NY Outer Critics Circle and LA Drama Critic's Awards in addition to the Tony.

The Drowsy Chaperone follows a devoted theater fan's love affair with the madcap musicals of the 1920s, particularly one title that comes to life in his apartment as he fires up his record player. The Broadway production opened on May 1, 2006 and earned 13 Tony nominations, winning five (including Best Book and Best Score).

A rare combination of unprecedented originality and blinding talent, The Drowsy Chaperone boldly addresses a great unspoken desire in all of our hearts: to be entertained. If you've ever sat in a dark theatre and thought, "Dear Lord in heaven, please let it be good," this is the show for you! It all begins when a die-hard musical theater fan plays his favorite cast album on his turntable, and the musical literally bursts to life in his living room, telling the rambunctious tale of a brazen Broadway starlet trying to find, and keep, her true love.

For more information, visit: http://nctheatre.com/shows/the-drowsy-chaperone