By Jennifer Mustoe, Craig Mustoe, and Kyle Andrews
All through the month of June, at the Merit Academy in Springville, Utah, those who love comedy, the glamour of the 1920s, and clever musicals will be thrilled because The Drowsy Chaperone encompasses all three. Man in Chair (JD Ramey) relates his love of a 1920s musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, which magically begins to play onstage, while MIC stops and starts the album to impart hilarious asides, poignant life messages, and information about this fictitious rather horrible musical.
There is so much to love about this production, starting with Ramey himself. This is his second time play MIC, and he is perfection. He is just marvelous–his timing is amazing, he is deadpan times ten, and his tender side is sweet without being sickly or unbelievable. Director Michael Roberts gives Ramey lots of opportunity to get out of that chair, which we loved.
MIC narrates the story of Chaperone as well as gives historical information about the characters and the actors (in the story, not the real actors) who play them. Don’t be confused. It makes perfect sense as you watch it. The story is a little confusing, so hang in there with me. We have the lovely Janet Van De Graff, played winningly by sweet soprano Sydney Carlson. With lots of cheeky spunk, Carlson sings and dances her way into our hearts. She is everything one would want for Janet, a woman who thinks she wants to marry a man she’s barely met, but she’d need to give up her whole career. (It’s the 20s, remember.) The man who she fell for is Robert Martin, played by Zach Hjorth. Robert is a fun character, and Hjorth’s big moment is on skates, onstage, blindfolded. Yes, it’s true. There is much conflict and fanfare about this union: Broadway producer Feldzieg (Brian Butler), wants to keep his star on the stage. The typical dumb blonde flapper Kitty (Alyssa Garn) wants to take Janet’s place. Garn is darling in this stereotypical role. Best man George (Dava Chapa) would just like to get this wedding pulled together. Husband and wife Dane Allred and Debbie Allred play the sweet and funny Mrs. Tottendale and Underling, and their banter and the adorable faces they make as they stay onstage while the principals get a chance to change their costumes (told to us by MIC), are hilarious. These two are reason enough to bring your kids.
The Chaperone, played by Jill Broadhead, is some of the best acting and singing I’ve ever seen. She has facial expressions and a voice to simply die for. (And by the way, “drowsy” means drunk.) Aldopho (Jonathan McManus), the Latin lover who figures into the plot in the wierdest and funniest of ways, is a wonderful foil and comrade to Chaperone. Both of these actors had moments of brilliance onstage. Director Roberts knows what he’s doing with this talented cast.
Costumes by Tannie Hjorth and Ramona Swapp are delicious. They got the 20s glam down. The little black and gold number that Janet wears is swoon-worthy, as is the elaborate gown Chaperone wears as the show opens. Lighting by Jon Haws, Starr Williamson, and Reid Stoker works well for the show. Sound by Emily Esparza, T Hjorth, Lauree Roberts, and Roberts is good, so many fun songs as you walk in and during intermission. But the music did drown out some dialogue and singing at times, which I mentioned to the production team. This is a dance heavy show, and choreographer Jocelyn Smith kept the dances authentic. Not all performers were trained dancers, but what I loved was their willingness to give it all a big huge try and Smith giving them steps that were doable for her cast. Michelle McManus as musical director gave all her actors clear direction and was able to get the soloists at their best as well as the ensemble numbers in darn near perfect harmony. Very nice on the ears.
This is a fun show, though it does have a few items that might make some parents feel uncomfortable. However, I don’t think the kids will get it and there is so much going on that is fun, I’d say bring the kiddos and let them enjoy all the fun.
Going against the Front Row Reviewers policy of saying positive or being constructively critical, I am going to say this: Springville Playhouse has a good thing going. Great cast, great costumes, good and great production choices. But the venue is not giving the productions their best staging experience. It could be improved with risers to put the chairs on, but the raised stage and the mostly comfortable padded chairs means that if you don’t get there super early and get on the front row, you will miss something that happens onstage. And with their quality of performing, we don’t want to miss anything. I hope SP can find generous backers to help them get a venue that will give them their best opportunity to shine, or at the very least, get risers so audience members get every chance to see every single brilliant moment.
Drowsy plays Monday, Friday and Saturday and the crowd when we attended the show on Monday was fantastic. For a community theater production, this is really worth seeing. Lots of laughs, dancing, singing, splendor. Don’t miss Springville Playhouse’s Drowsy Chaperone. It’s really fun and rather poignant, too.
Springville Playhouse presents The Drowsy Chaperone, Music & Lyrics by
by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar.
Springville Playhouse, Merit Academy, 1440 West Center St., Springville, UT 84663
June 8-23, 2018, Mon, Fri-Sat, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Sold at the door. $10 Adults. $8 Seniors/Students
Springville Playhouse Facebook Page
The Drowsy Chaperone Facebook Event
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