EHS Players Present The Drowsy Chaperone

EHS Players Present The Drowsy Chaperone
Posted on 03/28/2019

Hailed by New York Magazine as "The Perfect Broadway Musical," The Drowsy Chaperone is a masterful meta-musical, poking fun at all the tropes that characterize America’s Jazz Age musical theatre genre. With book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, this affectionate parody of 1920’s American musicals won 5 Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards after its’ 1998 debut.

The story concerns a middle-aged, anti-social musical theatre fan played by EHS actor Booker Schrock; as he plays the record of his favorite musical, the (fictional) 1928 hit The Drowsy Chaperone. From the moment the needle touches the spinning vinyl record, the show comes to life onstage as the character known as “Man in Chair” wryly comments on the music, story, and actors. Mix in the two lovers - showgirl “Janet Van De Graff” played by Marina Benson and oil tycoon “Robert Martin” played by Skylar Carroll, a bumbling best man “George” (role shared by Evan Boudet and Dirk Smelser), a desperate theatre producer “Mr. Feldzeig” played by David Fells, would-be showgirl “Kitty” (Gwenyth Bise), a forgetful hostess Mrs. Tottendale (Emerald Gardner_Gekler), two femme gangsters posing as pastry chefs (Kyra Dart & Rebecca Van Buskirk), misguided Latin lothario “Adolpho” (Christian Barreto), glamorous aviatrix “Trix” (Selah D’Ambra/Tehya Tuttle), and a typically tipsy chaperone (Sylvie Benson), and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap, finger-snapping delight.

Not to worry if it seems confusing; throughout the show, Man in Chair will explain the action with asides to the audience. That is when he isn’t causing the needle to skip or repeat on the record which causes untold mayhem for the actors on stage and hilarity for the audience. Referred to as “a musical within a comedy”, The Drowsy Chaperone, is crammed full of every cliché, gag, and gimmick in this loving send up of the Golden Age of Broadway musicals.

When asked why she chose The Drowsy Chaperone for Eureka High School Player’s Spring musical, Director Nanette Voss said, “Because of its many featured roles, jazzy tunes, and accessible script, The Drowsy Chaperone fits perfectly for the diversity of musical and dramatic talents at EHS”. Featuring one show-stopping song after another, and masterfully choreographed by Alex Blouin, Voss guarantees that patrons will leave tapping their toes and humming tunes from the show.

The Drowsy Chaperone runs March 22nd, 23rd, 28th, 29th, and 30th at 7:30 p.m. and one matinee performance March 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the Eureka High School Auditorium at 1915 J St., Eureka, CA. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 for students. For more information call (707) 476-1735 or e-mail Director, Nanette Voss [email protected].

event poster the eureka high players proudly presents the drowsy chaperone