In a pitch-black auditorium, from the far corner of the stage, a lone male voice says something no one expects to hear at the beginning of a musical: “I hate theater.”
The voice belongs to an old man in a chair who, as the play progresses, relives fond memories of his favorite musical — Gable and Stein’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” — which recounts a wedding between a regular guy and a starlet.
Hillsdale’s Tower Players brought “The Drowsy Chaperone” to the stage of Markel Auditorium in the Sage Center for the Arts last night. Showtimes are 8 p.m. through Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday.
“It’s a nostalgic musical which itself is a parody of musical theater style,” Professor of theatre James Brandon said.
As the man in the chair (played by junior Matt Sauer) speaks, the curtain pulls away to expose a 1928 art deco set and a vibrant dance number in which the characters introduce themselves.
Freshman Jonathan Henreckson plays Robert, the bridegroom.
“This is the first time I’m the main romantic lead,” Henreckson said. “I’m usually the crazy guy who is losing his mind.”
Senior Kelsey Drapkin plays Mrs. Tottendale, an older woman with short term memory loss who plans the wedding.
“She is the ditzy, stupid type, which is kind of an acting challenge for me since I’ve never played an older woman,” Drapkin said. “She is a hoot to play.”
Drapkin said that she has never been in so cohesive a production and is amazed at the work ethic and chemistry of everyone in the musical.
Brandon said that he was impressed by how far the play had come on the weekend before showtime.
“The voice work is coming, we have good singing, acting, dancing, sets, designs,” Brandon said. “The vocal work has been done excellently by [music department chair James] Holleman.”
Brandon also praised Phil Simmons of Eastern Michigan University, who choreographed the production.
“He is absolutely wonderful — a real, true professional who is so great with the students,” Brandon said. “He was a major addition to the whole process.”
Brandon said that musicals are naturally more difficult because of all the moving parts, and many actors mentioned balancing school work and hours of practice made the production even more challenging. In addition to the more than 20 actors, “The Drowsy Chaperone” has a 14-piece orchestra, choreography, and lights to juggle.
The cast is a good mix of old and new faces, Brandon said. The show was within the talent range of the student performers, and although the show is contemporary, Brandon said it’s tame by Broadway standards.
Leading lady Janet van de Graaf is played by freshman Glynis Gilio, who said she loves the part despite — or because of — its demanding nature.
“In one number I have to do a lot of tricks and sing at the same time,” Gilio said.
Drapkin said that although she struggled to do both practice and readings for classes, her professors were awesome and understanding.
The tone of the play has made it easier for the actors to enjoy.
“It doesn’t take itself too seriously,” Gilio said. “The old man has a very sentimental epiphany moment towards the end, but it kind of makes fun of itself.”
According to Henreckson, “It’s a musical that makes fun of everything.”
“The Drowsy Chaperone” is drenched in humor — monkeys on pedestals, Caucasians’ fascination with Asians, excessive spitting, cocaine-laced toothpaste — a good deal of it coming from the cynical quips of the old man.
“I hate intermissions,” Sauer grumbles halfway through the show.
The other actors had nothing but good things to say about Sauer.
“There is a lot of stage freezing, and with Matt being Matt, it’s very hard not to laugh at his lines,” Drapkin said.
Gilio said that Sauer is an artist at comedy.
“Be prepared for anything and everything,” Gilio said. “I would say sit down and buckle your seatbelts. It has a great message and even after weeks of rehearsal I still crack up.”
Henreckson added that people should come to the musical more than once because of the chance of seeing him fall into the orchestra pit as he roller skates blindfolded.
There’s a king of romance, a pu-pu platter of tunes, and the all-too-clever romantic fantasy of falling in love at the drop of the hat.
“It’s not a deep-thinking show. This is good, escapist, humorous storytelling,” Brandon said. “Let us entertain you.”
