by Diane Speer
Alpena News

Based on opening night, Thunder Bay Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” should do terrific at the box office.

This energetic spoof of a fictional 1920’s song and dance spectacle premiered on Broadway in May 2006 and was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, winning five. At TBT, Director Jeffrey Mindock fills the stage with larger-than-life characters, a zany plot and a sprinkling of nostalgic moments.

The show hinges on an ingenious framework whereby a character simply called Man in a Chair plays a cherished LP record of his favorite vintage musical. The colorful, quirky show soon materializes within the humble confines of his apartment, transporting him–and the fortunate audience–into the show.

TBT core company member Aidan Cleary couldn’t be any better in this role of a lonely, musical theater connoisseur with a hyperactive fantasy life. His character’s exuberance for “The Drowsy Chaperone” washes across his face and proves infectious for everyone in the theater. Through his many asides, the Man in the Chair provides wry commentary about the ongoing show–which he admits he’s never seen before in person.

The remainder of the bright and eager cast play out a love story in crisis mode. It’s centered on debonair Robert Martin and his starlet fiancé, Janet, who works for Feldzieg’s Follies, but plans to give up her stage career after they get hitched.

Not only does TBT’s show contain its share of romance, but it’s also laced with lots of humor and some fun musical numbers choreographed by Kaley Darga and Kristen Kowalski. Zach Erhardt as Robert, along with his harried best man, George (Lucas Moquin), serve up a mesmerizing tap number in “Cold Feets.”

Megan Hoxie as Janet sparkles in “Show Off,” a comical song with lyrics about her no longer needing attention while, quite to the contrary, sheás doing everything possible, including cartwheels, to maintain the spotlight.

Displaying their considerable talents as well are Nicole Pietrangelo as the martini-swigging title character, The Drowsy Chaperone, who’s charged with ensuring the bride doesn’t see the groom prior to the wedding; Bradley Hamilton as the intentionally over-acted Latinesque lothario, Aldolpho; Nathaniel Adams as Feldzieg, the scheming producer who doesn’t want to lose his star; and Mariah Purol as the supposedly dimwitted showgirl who is overly-eager to take Janet’s place on stage.

Courtney Marshall and Emma Griffith make a winning combo as two in-sync gangsters bent on stopping the wedding because their mob boss financially backs the show in which Janet is a star. Amusingly, they employ dozens of pastry-related word plays to make their point heard.

Bunny Lyon and David Usher bring additional fun to the mix as Mrs. Tottendale, the widowed owner of the estate at which Robert and Janet’s wedding is to take place, and Underling, her very proper servant. The two tangle a bit when Usher’s character, doing as he’s told, serves her vodka in place of water, resulting in some surprising in-your-face spitting. They also do a sweet duet in which they discover their love for one another.

Rounding out the cast are Rebecca Monk as Trix the Aviatrix; Kirsten Bohlen, Keegan Bauer and Monk as ensemble players; and first timer Stephanie Gandulla in an amusing turn as the building superintendent.

Costume designer Guy Lee Bailey evoked the 1920s time period with a fair share of flapper dresses, shimmering fabrics and appropriate menswear choices. Additional details like long rope strands of pearls and the occasional elegant fur coat made the costuming another very enjoyable element of the show.

Likewise the set design, by Brandon M. Newton, accommodated the action of the show well and offered a few surprises like a fully functioning murphy bed. Compliments as well to Jennifer Jasso as music director and Colin Marshall as sound and lighting designer.

Right from the beginning, “The Drowsy Chaperone” set itself up as a happy exercise in escapism. From those first opening moments clear through to the end, it succeeds wonderfully and makes a perfect summertime outing for theater goers.

Reprinted with permission of The Alpena News, June 19, 2015