Theater review: The Drowsy Chaperone receives a well-deserved standing ovation

Cast of The Drowsy Chaperone
Photo courtesy of Edmonds Driftwood Players

The Drowsy Chaperone

Music and Lyrics By Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison 

Book by Don McKellar and Bob Martin, 

Directed by Pauls Macs

Edmonds Driftwood Players

April 28 – May 14, 2017

Tickets

Review by Doug Gochanour

A fictional 1928 Musical springs magically to life for a lonely fan.

The audience is invited to sit in an apartment with our storyteller, known only as Man In Chair. We do appreciate the marvelous talents of actor, Patrick Lucey-Conklin, as he brings the Man In Chair to life for us.

This character seems rather lonely, perhaps even depressed. However, Man In Chair is eager to tell us about his favorite Broadway musical ~~ The Drowsy Chaperone. Perhaps Man In Chair is its most fanatic fan. He is ready to jump into the action, or to explain the circumstances of any incident.

Man In Chair
Photo courtesy of Edmonds Driftwood Players

Whenever Main In Chair is feeling blue, he starts listening to his old and rare recording of The Drowsy Chaperone, and the fictional show magically opens up before our eyes. This rather ordinary Man In Chair admits to us that he is suffering from a non-specific sadness, so he puts on his favorite LP of the 1928 musical comedy to cheer himself up and to share it with us. As he narrates for us, the fabulous Driftwood Players cast performs the comedy right there in his apartment.

There are a whole host of characters to sing and dance and interact in humorous ways. There is plotting gone awry and mistaken identities to complicate the underlying question – Should one Leave or Love? The precocious Follies Starlet (Lindsey Meyer) must decide if she will actually marry her oil-heir fiancé (Jake Friang).

The drowsy ~ read that as inebriated ~ chaperone (Tamera C. Davis) is charged with keeping the groom from seeing the bride until the wedding. Will her sleepy state allow her to succeed? Will she find her own romantic interest in Latin lover Aldolpho (Jay Vilhauer)? 

The oil heir still wants to marry the starlet.
Photo courtesy of Edmonds Driftwood Players

 

Best Man George (Gabe Ponce) recommends that the love-struck groom go roller-skating blindfolded. Unfortunately, he kisses his fiancée, as she pretended to be a French girl. She considers that as a reason to call off the wedding. Can he convince her to forgive?

There are many other fine performances of humorous characters, including the producer (Jeff Strom), his dizzy chorus girl (Andee Albert), two Damon Runyon style gangsterettes (Stephanie Kroschel and Sydney Kaser), Mrs. Tottendale (Jenny Price) and her faithful butler Underling (Terry Boyd).

Trix the Aviatrix swoops in.
Photo courtesy of Edmonds Driftwood Players

There are so many fun surprises that you will want to see them all. You will surely want to see how Trix the Aviatrix, (Lara McLeod) lands her plane in the garden, announcing she is about to depart for Rio.

Can she save the day somehow?

A well-deserved standing ovation was bestowed upon this great production.

It is plain and simple. Be ready for an “I Do, I Do in the Sky."

So, thrill seekers, do come fly the friendly skies at the Wade James Theatre. You will be treated to great music, dancing, and fun.

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Tickets are available for Sunday's matinee performance, April 30, but you will need to buy them in person. Box office opens at 1pm, performance is at 2pm. 306 Main Street (3rd and Main) Edmonds 98020.

Performances at Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St, Edmonds 98020.

For tickets for May 4 - May 14, click here.