The Drowsy Chaperone is a Broadway-style musical that spoofs musicals of the 1920s. Self-described as a musical within a comedy, and called “The Perfect Broadway Musical” by New York Magazine, this love letter to musical theatre is full of endearing and comedic characters and show-stopping song-and-dance numbers that feel deliciously familiar yet are comically original. This project is made possible by support of the Service One Credit Union.
Performances will be at on the WKU campus at Van Meter Hall, 1503 Hilltop Drive, Bowling Green, KY on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at 8:00pm and Sunday, March 29 at 3:00pm. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available on streets and in campus lots near Van Meter Hall. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for students and seniors (62+), and can be purchased online at wku.showare.com, by calling the Fine Arts Box Office at 270-745-3121 Monday through Friday between noon and 4:00pm, and at the door.
The Drowsy Chaperone is a co-production of Western Kentucky University’s Department of Theatre & Dance and Department of Music, featuring BFA and BA theatre students, Dance majors, Music majors and others. Stage direction is by Dr. Julie Lyn Barber, choreography by Ms. Kylene Stephens, and music direction by Dr. Wayne Pope: faculty members in the Departments. Dr. Pope will conduct a live orchestra of WKU students.
At the top of the show we meet the Man-in-the-Chair who introduces us to his favorite record, the cast recording of The Drowsy Chaperone. As the record begins to play, the 1928 musical comedy springs to life, overtaking his apartment as he watches with unbridled glee, sharing trivia about the actors throughout the show and occasionally singing and dancing along. All the stock characters are there, singing and dancing their hearts out: the glamorous showgirl giving up the stage to marry the dashing leading man, a harried producer and his girlfriend the blonde bombshell, a couple of gangsters disguised as pastry chefs, a dizzy hostess and her faithful British butler. Throw in a Cagney-esque sidekick of the groom, a Latin lover, an Aviatrix and a Drowsy Chaperone, and hilarity ensues. This production has an expanded cast with a full chorus of dancers as singers playing servants and party guests and at least one monkey. Designed as a respite from reality, The Drowsy Chaperone takes you back to a time when a song and dance could solve any problem, or at least could help you forget yours for a couple of hours.
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-submitted by WKU Department of Theatre & Dance
