Review: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at THE WICK THEATRE

The Wick Theatre's production of The Drowsy Chaperone is a pleasant musical theatre romp featuring music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, and book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. The fantastic nature of the characters coming to life as Man in Chair tells the tale of his most beloved musical is charming, and the standard characters and plot twists of old movie musicals are comically nostalgic.

The Drowsy Chaperone debuted at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 1999, and had its first complete production at the Toronto Winter Garden Theatre in June of 2001. It began previews in November 2005 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, where it received five Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards. It opened on Broadway on May 1, 2006 at the Marquis Theatre and received five Tony Awards (with thirteen nominations), seven Drama Desk Awards (with fourteen nominations), four Outer Critic's Circle Awards, a Theatre World Award and a New York Drama Critics' Circle Award. The first national tour of The Drowsy Chaperone opened in September of 2007. For more information on the show please visit www.drowsychaperone.com.

The Drowsy Chaperone is the story of a fussy and reclusive, middle-aged, modern-day musical theatre addict known simply as Man in Chair. To chase the blues away, he likes to listen to familiar old musicals. On this occasion, he drops the needle on his favorite LP (yes LP, not CD!), the cast recording of the 1928 musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the musical magically bursts to life on-stage all around him. It tells the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet, Janet Van De Graaff, who wants to give up show business and marry her debonair suitor, Robert Martin. To complicate matters, there is an aspiring dim-witted actress named Kitty waiting to take her place, a producer determined to sabotage the nuptials, two gangsters looking to ensure that the producer doesn't lose money on their investment and, of course, her Drowsy Chaperone. The chaperone isn't naturally drowsy, but she is inclined to drink (despite the existence of prohibition) and it seems that alcohol makes her terribly, terribly drowsy. Needless to say, she is rather sleepy throughout the entire show. Since it is her job to keep an eye on Janet, her drowsy nature allows mischief to occur undetected. She even encounters a bit of mischief of her own in the arms of an aging Latin lover named Aldolpho.

Bruce Linser is charming as Man in Chair. He is not tense, effete or nerdy (all takes on this role I have seen), but just neurotically likable, and he really propels the story forward with a believable affection for the show within the show he is sharing with us the audience. Jennifer Byrne is the quintessential Janet Van De Graaff. She has every move, every coy facial expression, every camera-ready pose. Josh Franklin, as Janet's groom Robert Martin sings and dances with a genial flare. His best man George is played by Courter Simmons. Simmons graces the stage with his ultra clean tapping, and an enviable flare for the style of this time period. He is a real pleasure to watch.

A talented Jacob Thompson, who was perfection as Gaston in the Wick's earlier production of Beauty and the Beast, has oddly been directed to play the role of Aldolpho a bit more as the sloppy version of the character. Aldolpho is after all an aging, alcoholic Latin lover, so casting him that way makes sense, but casting a younger, handsome, muscular actor works too. However, casting him young and handsome, and then covering it up makes no sense - especially when in this production the song "I am Aldolpho" is punctuated by the Drowsy Chaperone ripping open his shirt for the audience (I've never seen this done in other productions). He is partnered by the hilarious Laura Hodos as The Drowsy Chaperone. This is a role meant for Hodos as she is best when allowed to be just over-the-top, and she emphasizes the comedic nature of the role rather than the drunk side of the character. Drunk is only funny for a few minutes, but good comedic timing will carry you through the whole show.

Jeanine Gangloff has some good moments as the vapid, and nasal voiced Kitty. She, Hodos as The Drowsy Chaperone, and Byrne as Janet have the best costumes in the show. The colors, lines, details, textures and even the accessories were beautifully executed and tailored. The costumes for this production are probably my favorite of all the shows I have seen at the Wick. Kevin R. Kelly is a tad bland as Feldzeig. Angie Radosh plays the befuddled Mrs. Tottendale with a bit less joy and innocence than usually provided, and it results in a weaker set-up for the comedic moments between she and Barry Tarallo as Underling.

A clever comic take on the two gangsters, Arrow Zurschmiede and Blake Aburn awaits. They have been completely synchronized and stylized just as is stated in the script. It is surprising that no other production I have seen has taken advantage of that physicality in directing the two characters. It makes them feel unexpectedly fresh and new.

Lighting, sound, choreography and costumes for this production are all in tune with one another to provide a splendid show. The ensemble has a solid sound and boundless energy as demonstrated in songs like "Toledo Surprise". The costumes have panache even if worn for just a second (the brown coast on Janet in the 1st act), as well as humor (the 2nd act opening). The choreography is engaging, and energetic. And most importantly, The Drowsy Chaperone is just a rollicking good time that is sure to leave you smiling as it commemorates the old fashioned musical of yester year.

The Drowsy Chaperone will be presented at The Wick Theatre through November 12, 2017. The theatre is located at 7901 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton, Florida. The Wick Theatre is a professional theatre company hiring equity and non-equity, local and non-local actors and actresses. They are also home to the Wick Costume Museum and Tavern Restaurant. Scheduled performances for this production are matinees Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm; evenings Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30pm. Tickets are $80 and $85. For more information you may contact them by phone at 561-955-2333, 561-955-2333, or online at www.thewick.org.

Cast:
Man in Chair: Bruce Linser*
Mrs. Tottendale: Angie Radosh*
Underling: Barry Tarallo*
Robert Martin: Josh Franklin*
George: Couter Simmons*
Feldzieg: Kevin R. Kelly
Kitty: Jeanine Gangloff
Gangster #1: Arrow Zurschmiede
Gangster #2: Blake Auburn
Aldolpho: Jacob Thompson*
Janet Van De Graaff: Jennifer Byrne*
The Drowsy Chaperone: Laura Hodos*
Trix: Deidra Grace
Super: Edgar Lopez
Ensemble: Brianna Barnes, Alexandra Frost, Edgar Lopez, Christopher George Patterson, Alexis Robinson

Crew:
Director: Dom Ruggiero
Choreography: Lindsay Bell
Music Director: Caryl Fantel
Scenic Design: Brittany Loesch
Lighting Design: Jose Santiago
Sound Design: Ed Chapman
Costume Design: Kimberly Wick and Jim Buff
Production Stage Manager: Susan Forbes*

*Indicates a member of Actors' Equity Association. The union of professional stage actors and stage managers in the United States

Photo By: Amy Paquantonio

Review by: John Lariviere

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