Front Row Reviewers

Apr 6, 2022 | Reviews

“Stumble Along” to The Off Broadway Theatre in Draper, UT, to Drink in the Good Times with The Drowsy Chaperone

Front Row Reviewers

Front Row Reviewers

By Alayna Een

The Off Broadway Theatre in Draper, Utah, casts off inhibitions (and prohibition) in its especially comedic run of The Drowsy Chaperone. This beloved parody of musical theatre and 1920s culture was originally created by a talented group of actors and performed at a stag party for a friend, but its potential outshone its one-night-only beginning. The Drowsy Chaperone was officially produced in 1998 with the book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and has grown in popularity. I believe that The Drowsy Chaperone is a love letter to musical theatre—triumphs, absurdities, and all—and The Off Broadway Theatre’s production firmly signs its name on the billet-doux to ensure that you’ll love it too.

The show is double cast (Nightingale and Toledo), and I saw the Toledo cast. The cast performs well together and delivers the comedic lines with acuity, but it’s in the in-between moments that the actors really shine, going above and beyond the call of the script. I’ve seen this play many times (it’s a favorite of mine), so I expected the jokes before they came. But in this performance, there were fresh moments of comedy and new perspectives played out onstage, to which I can only say, bravo.

Ryan Bullock (Nathan Rasmussen), Man in Chair, adds a melancholy youth to the role and shows the emotional and comedic range of the character with great facial expressions. Emily Simmons (Robbi O’Kelley) is an adorably aloof and ditzy Mrs. Tottendale, perfect from her “Fancy Dress” to her coiffed hair. And the unflappable Underling, Dan Martinez (Ryan Bullock), has just a hint of dark comedy, which plays well off of Simmons’s sunshine. Boston Smith, who plays George, really is the “best man” for the job. He improvs a couple of hilarious bits and is the string that ties the cast together—even if his character seems close to unraveling.

The sleazy Feldzeig (Kasey Capanna) plays the role loud and with a constant state of irritation that fits the stressed and scheming producer. Cassidy Lewis (Connie Beaty), who plays Kitty, adds a dimension of jealousy—rather than just “wannabe”—and really commits to the role, which is very much to her credit. Katie Whiteley (Tonya Huso), Gangster 1, and Pam Winrow, Gangster 2, really “rise” to their “roll” as fake bakers, toting Tommy guns sticking out of large loafs and leaning into jokes about “the boys.” Aimee McPhie (Kyra Furman) does a great job as Trix, and Audrey Pan as the Superintendent is every bit the cringy main stage musical lover you love to hate.

Robert, the accident-prone groom, is played by Tyler Newton (Michael Thrall), who sings well and beautifully strikes the balance between sincere and ridiculous. He also bravely bypasses the temptation to fake the tapdancing and roller-skating and does the choreography (Emily Landeen, Chareese Carter, Jake Anderson) credit. Janet Van de Graaff is played by Eleisha Keen (Nikki North), who captures the inner conflict and pouty drama of the star, and the performance of “Bride’s Lament” was especially noteworthy. The couple, though ridiculous, is surprisingly believable and very cute together.

Even in stellar casts, there are standouts, and Jessica Andrews (Tanya Rasmussen), The Drowsy Chaperone, and Teki Wolfgramm (Stephen Chucay), Aldolpho, performed exceptionally well. Andrews has all the star power, glamour, and vocal prowess her character demands and is a hilariously unrepentant drunk. Wolfgramm brings physical comedy and absolute commitment to his character in every moment and draws a constant stream of laughs from the audience.

This performance reminded me again why I, like Man in Chair, really love The Drowsy Chaperone. When the final song was sung, I too was tempted to watch it once again. And since the Off Broadway Theatre in Draper, Utah, is running the show through the end of the month, I might do just that—and I invite you to “stumble along” with your friends and family to see it too.

The Off Broadway Theater Company Presents The Drowsy Chaperone
Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
Draper Historic Theatre, 12366 900 E, Draper, UT 84020
April 1–30, 2022 at 7:30 PM on Monday, Friday, and Saturday
Toledo Cast: April 1, 4, 9, 15, 18, 23, 29
Nightingale Cast: April 2, 8, 11, 16, 22, 25, 30
Tickets: $16 Adults, $14 Seniors/Military/Student, $12 Children
Contact: 801-355-4628
Off Broadway Theatre Company Facebook Page
Draper Historic Theatre Facebook Page
The Drowsy Chaperone Facebook Event

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