Nothing Sleepy About SpeakEasy's 'Drowsy Chaperone'

Near the beginning of the SpeakEasy Stage Company’s recently extended production of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” our narrator, ‘Man in Chair’ (Will McGarrahan) tells us that musical theater is a cure for the blues.

While this may or may not be true in the grand scheme, it certainly holds up for what follows: 100 minutes of side-splitting screwball comedy told in a post-modern ‘show-within-a-show’ construction; you’d be hard-pressed to find a day trip that’ll provide a better respite from your woes.

Director/choreographer David Connolly guides a cast of extremely capable players through a tale of lunacy that transpires in front of McGarrahan, somewhat of a curmudgeonly shut-in, as he thrills to a two-record set Original Cast Recording in his dimly lit apartment.

The show, which won five Tony awards in 2006, pays homage to musicals of the 1920s and ‘30s as well as the theater buffs (queens?) that cherish them. And, as is usually the case with any theater queen worth his salt, Man in Chair knows that the plot is hokey… and he loves it just the same. His hilarious opening monologue makes a great case for musicals and helps ease the audience into the state of suspended disbelief necessary to swallow the impending farce.

No sooner has our emcee dropped the needle on side one of his self-proclaimed guilty pleasure than a back curtain opens to reveal the stage set for 1928’s (fictitious) “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which begins with giddy excitement over the wedding of Follies sex bomb Janet Van De Graaff, brilliantly played by South End resident McCaela Donovan, and her vain beau Robert Marin, (David Christensen).

But all is not copasetic, as it is quickly revealed that most of the other characters are caught in a colossal conflict of interests—Van De Graaff’s choice of domestic bliss over her stage career is not sitting well with everyone. Periodically, McGarrahan’s character instigates stop-motion segments to provide background info on the careers of the cast within the cast.

Donovan may have dazzled as Carla in SpeakEasy’s “Nine” earlier this season, but that performance can’t hold a candle to what she pulls off here—impeccable comedic timing, pitch-perfect vocals and a scene-stealing stage presence.

Christensen’s character may not be as instantly likable, but alongside Brian Swasey (his best man, George) he negotiates some impressive tap dancing and miraculously lands in all the right places while navigating the stage blindfolded on roller-skates…don’t try this at home.

As the leading couple, Donovan and Christensen do commendable work, but the rest of the cast shines just as brightly.

Not quite up to the task of shielding the bride from the groom’s view is the Drowsy Chaperone herself played well over the top by Karen MacDonald. Having taken place during prohibition, alcohol is practically a character in and of itself, and the Chaperone isn’t just drowsy – she’s thoroughly soused, martini glass (or flask) perpetually stapled to her palm. Wedding hosts Mrs. Tottendale (Kerry A. Dowling) and her rightfully exasperated butler, Underling (Robert Saoud), provide ongoing comic relief including a memorable spit-gag in which the phrase “you old poop!” gets repeated umpteen times.

While a pair of mobsters parading as pastry chefs (Joe Longthorne and Ryan Halsaver) pressure the Feldzeig Follies producer (J.T. Turner) to find a means of keeping Van De Graaff from retiring, dimwitted Kitty (Sarah Drake) does her best to compete for the replacement spot despite her inescapable gum-cracking lack of grace. And when self-perceived Latin ladies man Adolpho (Thomas Derrah) inadvertently seduces the all-too-eager Drunkard Chaperone, the plot gets turned on its head.

Throughout, the lyrical whimsy of Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison keeps the plot moving and the cast singing (magnificently!), resulting in an uplifting performance worthy of a Broadway stage – except we’re lucky enough to have this production right here in Boston for another two weeks.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company is playing at Roberts Studio Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts through June 19. For tickets call (617) 933-8600 or visit www.speakeasystage.com.