‘Drowsy’ sure to entertain

   The show may be titled The Drowsy Chaperone, but NDP’s winter musical is sure to leave audiences anything but tired.

   This year’s musical is somewhat unconventional, being “a musical within a comedy,” as the tagline puts it. The audience will travel back in time as the show’s narrator, the Man in the Chair, is transported into his favorite Jazz Age musical, The Drowsy Chaperone. This musical portrays the wedding of show girl Janet Van de Graaf to tycoon Robert Martin, and the attempts of her boss to foil it. The Man in the Chair remains a vocal presence throughout the show, frequently commenting on the action of the show or offering bits of Broadway trivia.

   “This musical is really funny. No one would really not enjoy it,” said senior Will Wolf, who plays Underling in both casts.

   The show itself has a cheesy sense of humor, but the Man in the Chair offsets it through his dry remarks. The musical was originally a spoof performed at the real Bob Martin’s bachelor party by his friends, and the role of Man in the Chair was added when they took it to Broadway.

   “The show is about him. It is about the power of musicals to lift you up. You get caught up in the show just like he does,” said Mrs. Bonnie Wilson, director.

   Although the humor is definitely camp, it is highly enjoyable. The show takes advantage of the fact that the Man in the Chair is listening to The Drowsy Chaperone on a record, undergoing skips and power outages. The songs match the dialogue for entertainment value, never missing a beat with their own comedic and melodic merits. The dance numbers were choreographed by senior Emily Versen, who also choreographed last year’s production of Guys and Dolls and is the Drowsy Chaperone for the Porter cast.

   According to Versen, the dances this year are more advanced “because there are so many different styles.” For example, a few of the male cast members have learned tap for their roles, and Wolf has really enjoyed it.

   The only disappointment in The Drowsy Chaperone is its length. At approximately one hour and 45 minutes, it is short for a musical, and with the same nostalgia as the Man in the Chair, audience members will regret leaving the glitz and glamour of 1920s Broadway behind them.

   As Mrs. Wilson said, “It makes you feel happy, and that’s what it’s all about.”

   The Notre Dame Players’ production of The Drowsy Chaperone will have six performances: Feb. 3, 4, 10, and 11 at 7 PM and Feb. 5 and 11 at 2 PM. The Porter cast will perform Feb. 3, 5, and 11 (evening) and the Gershwin cast will perform Feb. 4, 10, and 11 (matinee). Tickets are $5 for students with ID and $10 for adults. The full casts can be found below.

Porter Cast

Senior Nicholas Jakob, Man in the Chair

Senior Jamie Doss, Janet Van de Graaf

Senior Emily Versen, Drowsy Chaperone

Senior Shane Ertter, Robert Martin

Junior Nick Barakos, George

Junior Jenny Green, Mrs. Tottendale

Senior Will Wolf, Underling

Junior Jack Bidese, Adolpho

Senior Michael Deiana, Feldzieg

Junior Alex Martinez, Gangster

Junior Michael Selvala, Gangster

Senior Camille Medai, Kitty

Sophomore Kristin Green, Trix

Junior Evan Dawson, Superintendent

Gershwin Cast

Junior Bradley Cashman, Man in the Chair

Senior Alexandra Melikian, Janet Van de Graaf

Junior Ryan Melikian, Drowsy Chaperone

Senior Shane Ertter, Robert Martin

Junior Nick Barakos, George

Senior Samantha Masson, Mrs. Tottendale

Senior Will Wolf, Underling

Senior Christian Boden, Adolpho

Senior Michael Deiana, Feldzieg

Junior Alex Martinez, Gangster

Sophomore Marco Mariscal, Gangster

Junior Natalie Demirjian, Kitty

Sophomore Kristin Green, Trix

Junior Evan Dawson, Superintendent