By Eliza and Alayna Een
Described as a musical within a comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone is a delightful frame story that opened on Broadway in 2006. The book of the musical was written by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. This show is a fantastic addition to the Pleasant Grove Players’ season, with entertaining music, heartwarming moments, and strings of jokes that leave the room echoing with laughter. The Drowsy Chaperone is narrated by “Man in Chair,” whose passionate feelings for the theatre bring him to emotional extremes throughout the show as he plays the soundtrack of his favorite musical, set in the glory days of the 1920s on the chaotic wedding day of Robert Martin and Janet Van De Graaff, from the comfort of his quaint but functional apartment (Madison and Tina Fontana, scene design). As the record plays, characters from the show enter his living room and perform alongside his commentary.
Jeff Thompson is the delightfully quirky Man in Chair, and he plays expertly off of the intimacy of the Keith Christeson Theater. It really does feel like having a one-sided chat with a friend.
Our primary pair of lovers is played by Ethan Kelso (Robert Martin) and Laura Jacobs (Janet Van De Graaff). Kelso plays up the goofy naivete of Robert and expertly keeps his balance through the physically challenging aspects of his role. It isn’t often you see roller skates onstage, but he rolls with it, keeping the audience engaged without having any true mishaps. Another highlight of Kelso’s performance is his ringing vibrato. In “Show Off,” Jacob’s character says she doesn’t want to get the glowing reviews anymore. Well, she’s getting one more from me. In this song and so many of her other moments, Jacobs is a delightful and engaging “It girl.” Supported—sometimes literally—by an ensemble of fans, Jacobs elevates her vocal performance with gymnastics and shows great starpower and comedy while being really sweet when playing opposite Kelso. Part of her golden-age glamor is thanks to Susan Glenn’s stunning costuming.
The titular character of the Drowsy Chaperone is played by Celine Morton, who is so effortlessly confident and suave in her role that she could do it while sleeping—and sometimes she does! The sardonic chaperone has an intimidating effect on the ensemble, highlighting the frame-story level of her character as an experienced and cynical star.
The subplot of the show involves a variety of characters trying frantically to ensure the success or failure of the wedding. Among the troublemakers are Janet’s producer (Feldzieg, Scott Healy), an aspiring leading lady (Kitty, Emma Elison), and a pair of bakers who are really blackmailers and gangsters (Kirk Baxter, Matthieu C. Kohl). Fighting for a successful celebration are the stressed best man (George, Clayton Troy Guymon), the forgetful hostess (Mrs. Tottendale, Chelsea Lynn Trammell), and her faithfully exasperated Underling (Gregory Rampton). I was delighted to discover that there wasn’t a weak link among them. Each character is committed, quirky, and fun to watch—not to mention vocally talented. And the same goes for the ensemble and the less-central characters of Trix (Tanika Larsen) and Aldolpho (Trevor Williams).
This is one of my favorite shows, and I’ve seen it a half dozen times over the years. But Howard and Kathryn Little bring out different themes, create fun fourth-wall breaks, and help every person onstage showcase their own characters so that this familiar story feels fresh, intimate, and interesting. The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical comedy that audiences of all ages can enjoy together, though mild moments of adult humor are sprinkled throughout. What keeps me coming back to The Drowsy Chaperone time and time again is the heart that casts like the PG Players bring to the production, reaching out to the audience as we “stumble along.”
A review by Front Row Reviewers
Pleasant Grove Players presents: The Drowsy Chaperone by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
30 E Center St, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
April 19, 2024 to May 13, 2024, 7:30 PM (Monday, Thursday–Saturday). May 11 matinee at 3pm
Tickets: $14 for students and seniors; $15 general admission PG Players Tickets
Contact: 801-613-0473
PG Players Facebook Page ; PG Players website
The Drowsy Chaperone Playbill
0 Comments