New York Magazine hailed it as “the perfect Broadway musical.”
“The Drowsy Chaperone,” the fantastically popular 2006 play, is making its way to the Tower Players’ stage this semester.
From Feb. 18 through 22, the Hillsdale Theatre Department will produce the “play within a play” which has won 5 TONY awards since its Broadway debut.
The play opens with an elderly man in a chair, reminiscing about days gone by and his once-favorite musical, said junior Madeline Martinez, props mistress and assistant stage manager.
As he speaks, the musical comes to life around him.
“It’s a screwball comedy,” Martinez added. “It’s such a fast-paced, witty show. Most of the comedy comes from mistaken identities, which is a theater trope, but done so well. It’s an extravaganza.”
Senior Aaron Pomerantz, Theatre Department public relations officer, said the play is extremely new and a parody of 1920s musicals.
Senior Jennifer Schadle, head stage manager, said people generally enjoy a show that pokes fun at itself.
Pomerantz added that this is Professor of Theatre James Brandon’s first time directing a musical at Hillsdale.
“In fact, this is the first time anyone but Dave Griffeth is doing a musical in 30 years,” Pomerantz said regarding the department’s former set manager who directed “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” in 2013.
Brandon said even though Griffeth retired after nearly 40 years with the department, they were determined to keep the tradition of putting on a big musical every two years – it was just a matter of someone stepping up and being willing to do it.
The department brought in visiting professor Phil Simmons to teach a Musical Theatre Dance class for the actors, as well as to choreograph the entire production. In addition to dancing, there will be plenty of singing, so Professor of Music James Holleman is lending his expertise.
Schadle said that a musical is always more challenging than a regular play.
“I think there are just more things to juggle with a musical,” Schadle said. “One character has double digits of costume changes.” She added that the play will also include random monkeys.
Schadle has to balance the schedules of every cast member, as well as Brandon, Holleman, and Simmons, and then create a rehearsal schedule that blends the dance, music, and acting portions of the musical.
“This is certainly a much newer musical than people are used to seeing. The last thing we did was ‘Funny Thing’ which was a 60s or 70s show. This is a very popular show to do, and it’s not even ten years old,” Pomerantz said.
Martinez added that even though the cast has only had three rehearsals, she was impressed with how quickly they were catching on to the dance moves.
“I wasn’t there for long, but what I did see was highly entertaining,” she said.
As props mistress, Martinez has to keep track of every prop needed for the show. Although she said none of the props would be difficult to find, make, or purchase, there are a lot of them.
“In one scene the main character is showing off all her talents in one song, so there is just prop after prop,” Martinez said.
Despite all the moving parts, Schadle believes the music and theatre departments will work together well.
“James and Jim seem to get along well,” Schadle said. “They say, ‘You have your thing and you do it well, and I have my thing that I do well and we will leave the other one be.’”
Martinez said the play will feature flappers and men dressed to the nines in a flashy hotel. She added she has faith in their new set manager, Renee Surprenant, and thinks the set will be amazing.
Brandon said the play will be a fun night out with an escapist comedy.
“This is not some sort of defining play of western civilization, but it’s a fun show to bring parents to and to relax and enjoy,” Brandon said.
“Come for the set, stay for the comedy,” Martinez added.
