'Drowsy Chaperone' Awakens Non-Stop Laughter

“The Drowsy Chaperone," a fast-paced musical comedy, opened Friday at The Barn Theatre.

The playful parody pays homage to old-fashioned musicals of the Jazz Age. Performed as a play within a play, the script evokes an array of classic theatrical devices and tips its hat to Shakespeare, Moliere, Cole Porter, the Three Stooges and others. From mistaken identities and prat-falls, to spit takes and production numbers, “The Drowsy Chaperone” elicits laughter and fun at every plot twist.

The premise for the evening is that the main character, Man In Chair, played by Patrick Horan, of Bloomfield, is enjoying his favorite musical: Gable and Stein’s, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a 1928 hit that ran on Broadway long before Man In Chair was born.

As he listens to the record, archetypal characters like: the Underling, Gangsters Nos. 1 and 2, the Broadway Producer, a Starlet and The Leading Man, come to life in his living room. Stepping in and out of the action, Man In Chair involves the audience in both the action of the long ago show and his own passion for the great escape that is the American Musical.

Skillfully mixing dramatic genres, the audience is treated to a feast of high-energy physical comedy, leggy showgirls, snappy dancing, beautifully belted show stoppers and a touching exploration of the Everyman in all of us.

Audience member, Joe Serrecchia, of Parsippany, had never seen a live musical or play before last Friday. He was in attendance at the show’s opening night.

“It was great,” Serrecchia said. “The cast, everything. It was live. It was amazing.”

Serrecchia was not alone in his admiration for the production. The audience cheered, laughed and interacted throughout the one-hour, 40-minute musical.

“It was the best production all season,” said Suzanne Samson, a Mountain Lakes resident and former local theatre critic.

Samson and her husband, Richard, regularly attend opening nights at The Barn Theatre because they find the organization to have high production values.

“The cast was wonderful,” she added.

“Especially the ingénue,” Richard Samson said. “She had all the moves.”

The Samsons saw “The Drowsy Chaperone” on Broadway, with Sutton Foster and Bob Martin, as the ingénue, Janet Van De Graff, and Everyman character, Man In Chair. They felt The Barn Theatre’s production, with Katie Weigl, and Patrick Horan, was “excellent.”

Written by Bob Martin and Don McKeller, with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, “The Drowsy Chaperone” won five 2006 Tony Awards. It is the final offering of The Barn Theatre’s 83rd season.

With a cast of community theatre veterans, from across New Jersey, the production’s tightly coordinated creative team of director, musical director and choreographer brings out the best in each actor’s character. Each performer displays defined and unique characterizations, breathing life and side-splitting humor into every action-filled moment.

The orchestra’s conductor, and musical director for the production, is professional musician, Regan Ryzuk, a Montville native.

The 19-member cast, supported by a nine-piece orchestra, is directed by retired theatre professional, Scott Hart from Hardwick. Hart’s direction is both specific and precise, creating the illusion that the frantically moving action is occurring without effort or pretense, as actors roller skate across Man In Chair’s rug or dance on the wings of an airplane flying through his kitchen.

The choreography is staged by professional dance teacher Megan Ferentinos, of Cranford. Throughout the show, the dance numbers are exciting and skillful. Though, the “Monkey on a Pedestal” dance does not adequately address sight lines from the far right and left of the audience.

However, the misstep is slight and is more than made up for by the choreography of “Show Off,” with actress Katie Weigl, “I Am Aldolpho,” with actors Michael Campbell and Lynn Hart and “Toledo Surprise,” with actors Tom Wright, Glen Post, Tom Schopper, Janine Lee Papio and Martha Riley.

Also of note is “Cold Feets,” a challenging tap dance number between the leading man, Robert Martin, and his best friend, George, played with great style and flair by Brian Hall and Billy Brisley. While it appears that neither actor is a lifelong tap dancer, Ferentinos accentuates the amateur actors’ athletic strengths for a delightful and impressive exchange of tap and challenge.

Equally as impressive are the costumes, designed by Janice Schopper, as well as the facile and formidable set, designed by director, Scott Hart and Micah Weiss. Audiences will enjoy visually exploring the set’s theatrical details while waiting for the curtain to rise. Adding to the experience is the pre-show musical soundtrack, from sound designer, Steve Gilgur. It is a toe-tapping reminder of the joy of musical theatre.  

Subscribers, Ralph and Maida Avallone, of Montville, have attended every Barn Theatre production for the past five years.

“It was very, very, professional,” Ralph Avallone said of the current show.

“It was superb,” Maida Avallone said. “We liked all of it.”

Of particular note is Lynn Hart. The retired professional actress gives a delightful and deliciously daring portrayal of "The Drowsy Chaperone."

Additionally, Katie Weigl, of Ridgewood, exudes magnetic charm as Janet Van De Graff, the starlet who has “It.” Weigl herself has great comedic timing, a million dollar smile and a spectacular voice.

Cliffside Park’s Michael Campbell plays a captivating Aldolpho, the exotic, yet clumsy, European. The character requires broad physical comedy, which Campbell delivers.

As a starlet wannabe named Kitty, actress Janine Lee Papio, of Denville, delivers definitive dimwitted insights with sharp precision.

Also strong on character and comedy, are performers Martha Riley, of Martinsville, Scott Ramsay, of Rockaway, Tom Schopper, of Bloomingdale, Tom Wright, of Butler, and Glen Post, of Boonton.

Guiding the events of the evening, and eliciting a standing ovation, Morristown-Beard English teacher, Patrick Horan, as the Man In Chair, brings a warmth and empathy to the character which reaffirms the romantic notion that spontaneous busts of song and dance are not only logical, but necessary.

"The Drowsy Chaperone" runs until June 11 at The Barn Theatre. Performances are held Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees June 5, and 11. Tickets are $20 or $19 for seniors and students at matinees. The Barn Theatre is located at 32 Skyline Drive, Montville. For tickets, call 973-334-9320.

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