 |
| Jeff Ketterman as Aldolpho and Carrie Chastain as The Drowsy Chaperone. Photo by Sandy Cohrs. |
The
Drowsy Chaperone
Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
Directed by Sandy Richens Cohrs
Review by Carlos Manuel
Entire contents copyright © 2012
by Carlos Manuel. All rights reserved.
The
Drowsy Chaperone, a musical within a comedy, received 13 Tony
nominations in 2006, including one for Best Musical. The crown jewel went to Jersey Boys, but The Drowsy Chaperone collected five Tony awards for its book,
musical score, costumes, set design and its feature actress. Needless to say,
this show has pedigree.
We are fortunate to have The As Yet Unnamed Theatre
Company bring this delightful and humorous musical to the stage. What’s even
more fortunate is to see on stage a group of actors who commit themselves to
their art with their hearts and souls, despite the company’s inability to
provide a fully realized set, colorful costumes or live music.
Knowing the cost of producing a show and the
challenges a company faces, I would normally overlook a production where
suggested items are used to create the illusion of time and space. I might do
the same for costumes and lights and even for pre-recorded music (although I
confess that musicals without a live orchestra don’t sit well with me). But due
to the fact that The Drowsy Chaperon
is about witnessing how a fictional original cast recording comes “alive on
stage” as we listen to the narration, motifs, explanations of each song and
the musical itself, it makes it almost impossible to overlook the fact that in
this particular production there isn’t really a majestic overture or a
breathtaking world appearing on stage as “the curtain rises.” (There is no
curtain in this theatre space, by the way.) In fact, these are the very elements
wherein this production falls short.
Which is not to say that this production isn’t entertaining.
For Gary Tipton as the Man in the Chair to carry the show and “invite" us into
his personal habitat, and for an hour and thirty minutes makes us feel
completely “at home,” is a task not every actor might be up to, but Mr. Tipton
is up to the challenge. And then there is the array of good singing voices
appearing on stage, from Rebecca Chaney as Janet Van De Graff and Aaron
Davenport as Robert Martin to Carrie Chastain in the title role and Kim Perry
as Trix, the Aviatrix. And let’s not forget the comedic timing of Kathy Todd
Chaney as Mrs. Tottendale, Shawwna Ashley Speth as Kitty, and both Brad Lambert
and Neil Brewer as Gangster #1 and Gangster #2, respectively.
But the evening truly belongs to two major players.
As mentioned before, Gary Tipton as the Man in the Chair carries the big
responsibility to deliver a history lesson about musical theatre, and he does
it in a stupendous manner. Then there is the appearance of Jeff Ketterman as
Aldolpho, the over-the-top, over-sexualized Latin lover, a character who has the
potential to become offensive to some audience members (me, for example). Yet it
is the most ridiculous and fun-to-watch stage personage I’ve seen in a long
time. Watching Mr. Ketterman’s physical performance and facial reactions is
priceless. It does, in fact, make you forget that some actors do not know how
to tap dance but instead pound the floor so hard you’re afraid they’re going to
dislocate their knees (yes, that’s how bad that tap duet is), and that some
minor players couldn’t deliver lines quickly enough or missed their cues,
causing a comedic timing issue in the process.
But even with all that, this production of The Drowsy Chaperone is a delight to
watch and something I highly recommend to families and every theatre lover. And
even as the Man in the Chair tells us that this show is silly and purely for
entertainment, there is in fact something to learn about musical theatre: that it
is a treat not easily accomplished through song and dance. Yet The Drowsy Chaperone makes it happen,
and the As Yet Unnamed Theatre Company brings it to life. And all because of
the willingness for the cast to commit 100% to the silliness, the over-the-top
style of acting, and a desire to make the magic happen. From physical gags, laugh-out-loud
jokes and dancing monkeys – yes, you need to see it to believe it, and then refrain
yourself from hurting yourself from laughter – to ridiculous lyrics, endearing
characters and unforgettable performances, the cast makes The Drowsy Chaperone the must-see musical of the month. Trust me;
I’m a musical theatre addict…and someone who studies them for a living.
The Drowsy Chaperone
May 18, 19, 25 & 26 @ 8 p.m.
May 19 & 26 @ 2 p.m.
May 19 & 26 @ 2 p.m.
The As Yet Unnamed Theatre Company
The MeX Theatre, Kentucky Center
501 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
502-584-7777
No comments:
Post a Comment