Review By Wendy Christensen, Front Row Reviewers
The Drowsy Chaperone, Sugar Factory Playhouse’s excellent summer production, is playing at the Midvale Performing Arts Center and only 144 lucky individuals can claim tickets at each performance, so don’t snooze and lose your chance to see this fun-loving parody of Golden Age musicals. The intimate theater space is perfect for the play’s setting, a cozy apartment sometime in the 1980s. The apartment’s asocial occupant, identified only as Man in Chair (Devin Spann), invites the audience to join him as he listens to his favorite record, a cast recording of the fictitious 1928 musical The Drowsy Chaperone. The musical comes to life as the audience and man look on. Outside the fourth wall, the man provides the audience with wry commentary on the play’s plot, music, and actors. This five-time Tony winning show-within-a-show has entertained audiences across the globe. It pokes fun at tropes that characterize the musical theater genre including a dim-witted hostess, a couple on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a misguided Don Juan, a pair of gangsters in disguise, and an intoxicated chaperone, just to name a few.
Director Michelle Groves’ careful casting choices shine in this production of The Drowsy Chaperone. Spann is endearing as the goofy Man in Chair, whose witty commentary on the musical he loves reveals more about his quirky character as the show progresses. His reactions to the action on stage, especially during the big musical numbers, are frequently hilarious, so don’t lose track of him during large group numbers. Megan Smyth and Weston Harvey as the dim-witted Mrs. Tottendale and her ever-patient butler, Underling, keep the audience giggling with their back-and-forth banter about wedding party preparations and will make you think twice about requesting ice water to drink at your next social gathering. Rickey Jewkes as soon-to-be groom Robert Martin and his best man, George, played by Kalib Christensen, make a dapper duo during the tap dance number “Cold Feet” (which includes a fantastic cameo by Harvey’s Underling). Jewkes also deserves a big hats off for his ability to roller skate blindfolded on stage. Maria Becerra as bride-to-be Janet Van De Graaff, proves she deserves center stage during the show stopping musical number “Show Off.” Chuck Archer, as producer Feldzieg, is a convincing schemer who is ultimately outschemed by Kitty, brilliantly played by Bri Job, who has her sights set on being Feldzieg’s next leading lady. Monte Garcia is delightfully smarmy as Aldolpho, the notorious lady’s man Feldzieg enlists to break up Janet and Robert’s wedding. Scott Andrewsen as Gangster #1 and Jaron Michaelis as Gangster #2 are reminiscent in all the best ways of another pair of gangsters from the MGM musical Kiss Me, Kate, and do a marvelous job kicking off “Toledo Surprise,” a musical number that swells until the stage is filled to bursting with singing and dancing cast members. Trix the Aviatrix, enthusiastically portrayed by Eli Archer, swoops in to save the wedding. Likewise, the Superintendent (Vic Groves) swoops in to fix the Man in Chair’s breaker, drawing laughs as the audience watches the man struggle to converse with a real human being. Then, of course, there is the titular character The Drowsy Chaperone, played by Heather Shelley, whose expressive body language and ability to hold a long note are appreciated by the Man in Chair and audience alike. Note: “Drowsy” means drunk, which brings all kinds of laughs. Finally, a shout out to the energetic Ensemble who tie the entire production together: Abi Archer, Jaxon Chidwick, Jen Crabb, Cassidy Swenson, Stephen Whitchurch, and MacKenna Zumbrunnen.
Overall, this production of The Drowsy Chaperone is one of the best community plays I have seen. On pitch vocal performances highlight the efforts of Music Director Amanda VanDenAkker and the talent of the cast. Becerra and Shelley’s renditions of “Show Off” and “As We Stumble Along” are particularly noteworthy for their big finishes and sustained notes. Vocals and dance combine to make several highly entertaining production numbers. Choreographer Brooke O’Dell didn’t miss a step creating grand, entire-cast dance numbers that didn’t feel crowded or oversimplified even on Midvale Performing Arts Center’s small stage . Tap number “Cold Feet” and Garcia and Shelley’s tango during “Aldolpho” are immensely entertaining and a tribute to the dancers and choreographer alike. Rebecca Fenton’s costuming is spot on, from the nerdy perfection of Man in Chair’s layered sweaters and saddle shoes to the smart tuxedos and fancy dresses belonging to the leading men and ladies. Particularly elegant are Janet’s black and silver beaded flapper dress from the encore of “Show Off” and Chaperone’s blue velvet wedding dress, while the bunny ears and rabbit suits from “Bride’s Lament” are laugh out loud funny. Set Designer Vic Groves and Set Dressers/Props Masters Michelle Groves and Sharla Jordan create a set with a character of its own. Particularly clever are a Murphy bed that swallows cast members whole, a refrigerator with an interior that magically disappears to admit characters onto stage, and an airplane with wings made from benches. Not to mention fantastic little touches like framed needlepoint roses and a piece of broken record hanging on the walls. Finally, but not least is the great lighting design by Robbie Dalley that included a subtle shift in illumination between the apartment interior when Man in Chair is alone and when scenes from The Drowsy Chaperone are playing out on stage.
The Drowsy Chaperone is most appropriate for a late teen and adult audience. Much of the humor will be over the heads of younger audience members as it originates in double entendre and innuendo. However, physical and situational comedy abound and anyone familiar with classic musical theater will be entertained by the self-conscious humor of this meta-musical.
Parking for the Midvale Performing Arts Center can be a little tricky. If you are unable to find on-the-street parking on either Midvale Center or Main Streets, look for the parking lot across the street to the north behind La Palapa Market. It is easily accessed from 1st Ave.
The Sugar Factory Playhouse brings The Drowsy Chaperone to audiences in association with West Jordan City and the Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan. They are excited a new cultural art center is under construction near the West Jordan branch of the Salt Lake County Library and should be finished in time for next summer’s theatrical offering. In the meantime, look for The Sugar Factory Playhouse’s next production A Murder is Announced, to be performed at Pioneer Hall September 19-28. Auditions for the show will be July 30-31.
The Sugar Factory Playhouse presents The Drowsy Chaperone, music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar.
Midvale Performing Arts Center, 695 W Center St, Midvale, UT 84087
July 11-13, 15-20, 2024, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Adults $15, Child/Student/Senior $12
Sugar Factory Playhouse Facebook Page
Photos by Sharla Jordan.
0 Comments