If Drayton Entertainment is setting a precedent with its first production of the 2018 season at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, then theatre-goers are in for a great season of entertainment.
On opening night on March 29 The Drowsy Chaperone captured the audience’s attention from the opening until the final scene.
The musical is adapted from a show originally created by Don McKellar, Lis Lambert and Greg Morrison as a fun skit for the wedding party of Canadian actors Bob Martin and Janet van de Graaff in 1998.
At the beginning of the first act, the audience sits in darkness, as the voice of the Man in the Chair provides a commentary that prepares the audience for what is about to take place. Set in a modest apartment, the Man in the chair, a Broadway fan, spins his favourite record, a 1928 romp called The Drowsy Chaperone, in order to escape the horrors of the world. As the music begins, the stage comes alive with the tale of celebrity Janet Van De Graaff, who plans to leave her celebrity status behind to marry handsome oil tycoon Robert Martin.
Van De Graaff’s agent, the cigar smoking Mr. Feldzieg, is determined not to lose the star of the Feldzieg’s Follies. His ditzy assistant Kitty’s only desire is to replace Van De Graaff in the Follies. The pair is joined on stage by Van De Graaff’s chaperone whose love of vodka, during a time of prohibition, prevents her from performing her duties.
Latin lover Aldolpho, whose dark hair is accented with a white streak, is hired to seduce the bride but is led astray by the tipsy chaperone. An odd duo, two gangsters playing the role of pastry chefs at the wedding, attempt to add to the demise of the wedding.
The best man, George, must keep everything running smoothly through the chaos that ensues.
Playing the role of the Man in the Chair, Mike Nadajewski, is a perfect fit, from his 1920s attire – including a woolen vest, heavy woolen button up sweater and straight legged dress pants – to his tight curly hair, and pale, sad looking face. Nadajewski’s running commentary adds humour to the performance. He says the things we all would like to say about life, but don’t.
No stranger to Drayton Entertainment, Jayme Armstrong plays the role of celebrity Janet Van De Graaff. As a bride who has doubts about her upcoming nuptials, she creates the perfect scheme to test her groom’s love for her.
The dashing groom, played by Kyle Golemba, takes the audience through a number of tap dance routines, one involving a pair of roller skates and a blindfold.
Gabrielle Jones, the drowsy chaperone, easily convinces the audience she loves her drink but is also able to convey alcohol- induced words of wisdom to Van De Graaff about her upcoming marriage.
Tim Porter recently performed in Drayton Entertainment’s version of Honk. Here, Porter portrays a bumbling best man perfectly. The addition of a tap dancing routine adds flavour to the 1920s theme.
The dynamic gangster duo, also known as the pastry chefs, are played by Gregory Pember and Aaron Walpole. Both have performed on the Drayton Entertainment stage in various productions. The odd couple brought to the stage a language centered around baked goods and costumes from the 1920s. The striped 1920s-style bathing suits are eye-catching when accessorized with a pastry chef’s hat.
Under the direction of Max Reimer, the creative team and band bring the 1920s era to life through props, costumes and music.
The Drowsy Chaperone is filled with wise cracks, nonsense and plenty of humour.
The Drowsy Chaperone is at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse from March 28 to April 15. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, draytonentertainment.com or by calling 1-855-372-9866.
