Review of 'The Drowsy Chaperone' at Goodspeed Musicals

East Haddam, CT - The spirited musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone has been running since September 21 through November 25, 2018 at The Goodspeed, but a well-attended press night was held on Wednesday evening.

In what is essentially a hilarious valentine to show tunes and show people, a forgotten Jazz Age musical comes to life in the living room of a diehard theatre fan, known only as “Man in the Chair.” As he eagerly spins his favorite cast album, a fizzy vintage show suddenly appears, exploding with song, dance and pure entertainment. The quirky narrator fills the plot holes and makes the audience laugh out loud. Packed with one show-stopping number after another and truly larger-than-life characters, this is a Tony Award-winning spoof that will have everyone falling in love with a zany musical comedy.The DROWSY CHAPERONE features a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison.

As a diehard musical fan, I have enjoyed this fizzy show before, but learning the story of how it was originally created as a gift for two musical theatre fans that were getting married simply touched my heart. Mr. McKellar, Ms. Lambert and Mr. Morrison were getting ready for a party to celebrate the upcoming wedding of their friends Bob Martin and Janet Van De Graaf. In its earliest incarnation, DROWSY spoofed musicals from a wider timeframe and was a bit more risque, but it was a hit.

The reworked show became a loving pastiche of the musicals of the 1920s which included timely touches such as mistaken identity, bumbling gangster, spit-takes, and a producer named Feldzieg (“Ziegfeld” backwards.) The sometime seat Man was added to narrate and guide this show-within-a-show, and when it opened on Broadway in 2006, the cast included Sutton Foster (the sister of the Goodspeed’s director Hunter Foster) and Mr. Martin the groom was still onboard as Man in the Chair.

The Equity cast at Goodspeed Musicals was led by John Scherer, who previously appeared in the Goodspeed productions of BY JEEVES, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and GEORGE M, as the Man in the Chair, who is a loveable everyman. Ruth Gottschall played the charming but ditsy Mrs.Tottendale in a spectacular wig and even better dresses (as mentioned in “Fancy Dress”) Ms. Gottschall appeared in COMEDY OF ERRORS at Hartford Stage and was also seen in the original film ANNIE as Mrs. Greer.

Jay Aubrey Jones (ANYTHING GOES and GOTHAM at Goodspeed) covered the role of the beloved butler Underling, and he held his own against his “Madam.” Clyde Alves (WICKED, ANYTHING GOES on Broadway) made his Goodspeed debut by playing the groom-to-be Robert Martin with a spectacular smile. Mr. Alves received the Fred Astaire Award for Best Male Dancer in 2000 and it showed whether he was tap dancing in “Cold Feets” or roller skating in “Accident Waiting to Happen.”

Tim Falter (42nd STREET, SINGING IN THE RAIN) returned to Goodspeed Musicals to play the role of the best man George. His past Goodspeed hits include 42nd STREET and SINGING IN THE RAIN. James Judy (Joe Boyd in DAMN YANKEES and Mr. Shalford in HALF A SIXPENCE at Goodspeed, National Tour of Disney's NEWSIES) played very well the producer Feldzieg.

Gangster 1 was played by Blakely Slaybaugh (National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA and Pinocchio in SHREK THE MUSICAL) in his Goodspeed debut. Joining Blakely was his brother Parker Slaybaugh as Gangster 2. This was also Parker Slaybaugh's first time performing with Goodspeed Musicals. The talented due did well with the broad comedy in the stereotypical roles John Rapson chewed the scenery as “I am Aldolpho.” Mr. Rapson performed in the Broadway production of LES MISTERABLES and in the National Tour of A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. Making her Goodspeed debut was Ruth Pferdehirt in the role of the dimwitted Kitty. Ms. Pferdehirt appeared in the National Tours of ELF and A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.

Stephanie Rothenberg managed to shine in the role of Janet Van De Graaff. Ms. Rothenberg's Broadway credits include WAR PAINT, SUNSET BOULEVARD, and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Broadway veteran Jennifer Allen (Mama in the 2007 production of HIGH BUTTON SHOES at Goodspeed) owned the role of The Drowsy (inebriated) Chaperone with a big voice, a bigger personality. Ms. Allen's Broadway credits include BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, SISTER ACT, MEMPHIS, CATS, and GUYS AND DOLLS.

Trix, the Aviatrix was played by Danielle Lee Greaves. Her Broadway credits include A STREECAR NAMED DESIRE, HAIRSPRAY, RENT, SUNSET BOULEVARD and SHOW BOAT. The actress only appears in the first and final scene along with her large biplane, but she made her mark during her time on the stage. I still haven’t figured out how the stage crew managed to hide the plane backstage.

The ensemble included Abby Church (Goodspeed's Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN,) Bryan Thomas Hunt (Goodspeed's THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and CHASING RAINBOWS,) Evan Mayer (Goodspeed's THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE) and Gabi Stapula whose credits include regional productions of JERSEY BOYS, GYPSY, NEWSIES, GUYS AND DOLLS.THE DROWSY CHAPERONE was directed by Hunter Foster, who co-wrote Goodspeed Musicals’ THE CIRCUS IN WINTER and directed last season's hit A CONNECTICUT CHRISTMAS CAROL. Mr. Foster was a Tony and Drama Desk Award nominee for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. I appreciated the topical reference to global warming and other cheeky and witty remarks delivered by the Man.

Choreographer Chris Bailey returned to Goodspeed Musicals where he previously choreographedCHASING RAINBOWS in 2016; he also choreographed "Bigger" for the 2013 Tony Awards with Neil Patrick Harris, one of my favorite YouTube videos. The tap dance was spectacular and the rest of the dance numbers managed to fit easily on the tiny Goodspeed stage without any noticeable shrinkage. Scenic Design by Howard Jones was appropriate and functional; he previously designed eight shows at Goodspeed Musicals including BRIGADOON, BABES IN ARMS, CALL ME MADAM and 42nd STREET. I liked the full length mirror on the inside of the fridge/closet and the kitchen of the Man in his Chair.

Costumes were stunningly designed by Tony Award-winning designer Gregg Barnes who has designed costumes for several Goodspeed productions including RADIO GIRLS, EMMET OTTER’S JUG BAND CHRISTMAS, and MAME. Mr. Barnes has designed for numerous Broadway shows including the current productions of KINKY BOOTS, ALADDIN, MEAN GIRLS, and the new musical PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical. Mr. Barnes has been nominated for several Tony Awards and won for his costume designs in the Broadway productions of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and FOLLIES. These DROWSY costumes were sparkly, detailed and simply sublime.

On the subject of costumes, over eight inches of rain fell on East Haddam on the evening of September 25th causing significant damage from flash flooding. Thankfully, the Opera House was not affected but the staff is still busy cleaning up damage at other campus buildings. In addition to flooding in the Costume Shop, Scherer Library of Musical Theatre, Music Department and Actor Housing, there was significant damage to the recently renovated Ashton and Natalie Tenney Rehearsal Studio. Goodspeed is working hard to restore the collections, replace equipment and furnishings and rebuild these vital spaces. There are many costumes that still need to be cleaned.

Lighting Design was by Kirk Bookman, who has designed over twenty shows for Goodspeed Musicals. Sound Design was by Jay Hilton, who has a long association with Goodspeed Musicals where he has designed countless productions at both The Terris Theatre and The Goodspeed. Both worked well in every way.
Wigs and hair were lovingly designed by Mark Adam Rampmeyer, whose work has been seen in Goodspeed's OLIVER, RAGS, OKLAHOMA, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, ANYTHING GOES, BYE BYE BIRDIE and CHASING RAINBOWS. Every head was period appropriate and flattering. The Music Director was the inimitable Michael O'Flaherty, who is in his amazing 27th season as Goodspeed's Resident Music Director. William J. Thomas served as Assistant Music Director with orchestrations by Dan DeLange. The seven piece orchestra sounded as clear as always.

The spirited musical comedy THE DROWSY CHAPERONE runs through November 25, 2018 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, CT. Curtain times are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (with select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets are available through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open seven days a week, or online at goodspeed.org.

Nancy Sasso Janis Photo by J. Timothy Quirk

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle.She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417