I Don’t Wanna Show Off, No More!

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

Victoria Theatre Association & The Human Race Theatre Company

Win Tickets to Opening Night & Cast Party!  READ ON!

Five years ago this interesting little musical won five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score.  Whoop-de-doo, you might say, but listen to this…The Drowsy Chaperone had a very humble beginning.  It started out as, get this, a bachelor party gift.  ?  Yes.  The show originated as a boisterous spoof on old-time, pre-golden-age musicals, performed for the bride and groom Bob Martin & Janet Van De Graaff.  Wait…wait, there’s more!  Now, try to follow this…Bob Martin (the groom) went on to star in the show (he was the first Tony nominee for Best Actor, whose character didn’t even have a name…he was simply known as “Man in Chair”) AND the lead female character was named Janet Van De Graaff (the bride….but NOT portrayed by the bride, but rather the stunningly beautiful Sutton Foster) who falls in love with an Oil Tycoon named Robert Martin (aka the groom)….and we haven’t even addressed why the chaperone is “drowsy.”

Confused yet?  Don’t Be!  Just go see this hilarious show!

The show is good-natured fun with lot’s of silly characters and crazy situations.  The idea of the show is that the modern-day “Man in Chair” always chooses to listen to his favorite vinyl original cast album, that of the jazz age hit musical “The Drowsy Chaperone,” whenever he is feeling blue.  The album always lifts his spirits.  We quickly discover why, when the characters from the musical suddenly take over his cramped apartment, transforming his little world into a Broadway spectacle.  Various characters include Janet, a “Zeigfeld Follies”-type of showgirl, a stuffy rich dude, a couple of gangsters disguised as bakers, an over-the-top latin lover and the title character, Janet’s “drowsy chaperone”  (this grand dame is not sleepy, but rather “tipsy.”)

Victoria Theatre Association & The Human Race Theatre Company are teaming up to present a new production of this nostalgic musical comedy March 8 – 20, 2011 in the Victoria Theatre.

“Delightful, Sparkling Entertainment! You’ll be over the moon! We haven’t seen anything quite this original in a long time.” – Associated Press

The Drowsy Chaperone, the 21st show The Human Race Company has produced for the Victoria Theatre Association’s Broadway Series, is directed and choreographed by Kevin Crewell. The cast includes: Wally Dunn (“Man in Chair”); Pat Linhart (“Mrs. Tottendale”); Scott Stoney (“Underling”); Robb Sapp (“Robert Martin”); Christopher Gurr (“Aldopho”); Megan Nicole Arnoldy “(Janet Van de Graaff”); and Jana Robbins (“The Drowsy Chaperone”), to name a few. John Faas is the Music Director and Conductor, with set designs by J. Branson, provided by Music Theatre of Wichita.

Behind the scenes, Gregg Barnes is Costume Designer, Nathan D. Dean is Sound Designer, and John Rensel is Lighting Designer. Technical crew includes: Technical Director, Scott J. Kimmins; Head Carpenter, D. Tristan Cupp; Production Stage Manager, Heather Jackson; Assistant Choreographer, Megan Nicole Arnoldy; Dance Captain, Eric Byrd; and Properties, Heather Powell.

Now, you might worry, after all that talk about this being a “stag night” show and that you might want to trade in those tickets you bought for your kids or your Mom.  Let me reassure you that this is good, clean fun.  There might be a few comic sexual innuendos thrown in (as there are in most musical comedies) but overall this show would be appropriate for any age.  In 2006 I took my marching band students to NYC, and this was one of the shows we took in.  It was a first true Broadway show for many of the students & it served as a great introduction to NY theatre.  Those kids and the band parents (non-drowsy variety) all seemed to love the humor and the spectacle of this charming show.  I think you will too.

-SA/VTA Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to onStageDayton@DaytonMostMetro.com.

Tickets & Performance Information:

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – March 8-20 – Performance Times Vary (click for details)

Tickets Prices:  range from $39 to $81

Location:  TheVictoria Theatre – 138 N. Main St. Dayton, Ohio  45402 (MAP)

For tickets call Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630, 888-228-3630, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or visit the Box Office in person, located in the Wintergarden of the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center.

For more information about the Victoria Theatre Association, visit VictoriaTheatre.com.  For more information about The Human Race Theatre Company, visit HumanRaceTheatre.org

There will also be an opening night cast party, immediately following the March 8 performance held in the Kettering Reception Room, located on the 3rd floor (Balcony Level) in the Victoria Theatre. The party is free and open to all ticket holders, and includes free hors d’oeuvres and cash bar – plus the possibility of meeting members of the cast.

Audiences are invited to learn more about the show at a free Chase Background on Broadway pre-show talk Saturday, March 12 at 2PM and Thursday, March 17 at 7PM in the Kettering Reception Room. Chase Background on Broadway provides informative and entertaining talks by theatre professionals, focusing on production history, musical highlights, and insider anecdotes. These talks are held prior to the select matinee performances of each show in the Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series. Chase Background on Broadway is free and open to Broadway Series ticket holders, but seating is limited.

Win Free Tickets!

The Victoria Theatre Association, The Human Race Theatre Company & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to the opening night of DROWSY CHAPERONE!

We will be giving away a pair of tickets to the show…BUT…if we get  25 Facebook shares, we’ll double the chances & give away TWO PAIRS OF TICKETS! Additionally, you will get to attend the cast party after the opening night performance! All you need to do is:

• Share this article on Facebook or Twitter…just click the appropriate button (above or below the article) and if we reach 25 Likes or Tweets we will give away TWO pairs of tickets.
• Fill out the contest entry form below.
• Leave a comment in the Speak Your Mind section (below), answering the following question…“The Drowsy Chaperone” is an euphemism for the perpetually drunken state of the character…What is the silliest phrase you use to indicate someone is tipsy? (No Names please…to protect the innocent/guilty).
• The deadline to enter is NOON on SATURDAY, March 5th.
• Winners will be selected randomly from all of the entries.

Contest Is Now Closed

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