Podcast of Beth Leavel's AP Interview Available Online

Tony Award-winner Beth Leavel, who stars in the title role of the Tony Award-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone, recently sat down with Associated Press Radio's Jane Waldman to chat about the joy that originating her role in the hit musical has brought her this year, backstage Holiday spirit, and spending Christmas at her home away from home on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre.

Visit the following link to listen the podcast:

Click on "AP On Broadway" and select "The Drowsy Chaperone's Beth Leavel has Christmas spirit."

The musical recently recouped its initial investment on Broadway in just thirty weeks and less than seven months following opening to critical acclaim at the Marquis Theatre on May 1, 2006. The show paid back its $8 million capitalization during the week ending November 26, 2006 following 272 performances (240 regular performances and 32 previews).

The recipient of thirteen major awards, The Drowsy Chaperone received the most 2006 Tony Awards of any musical - five in total, including Best Book and Best Score, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, four Outer Critic's Circle Awards including Outstanding Score and the Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical.

The musical is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-nominee Casey Nicholaw (Spamalot), with music and lyrics by Tony Award-winners Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Tony Award-winners Bob Martin and Don McKellar.

"To chase his blues away, a modern day musical theatre addict known simply as 'Man in Chair' drops the needle on his favorite LP – the 1928 musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the uproariously funny musical magically bursts to life on stage. Man in Chair's infectious love of The Drowsy Chaperone speaks to anyone who has ever been transported by the theater," press materials state.

The show is produced by Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Boyett Ostar, Stephanie McClelland, Barbara Freitag and Jill Furman.

The Drowsy Chaperone plays Tuesday – Saturday at 8:00 p.m. with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

Visit www.DrowsyChaperone.com for more information.