No problem staying awake with Marriott's high-energy local premiere
"The Drowsy Chaperone," in its Chicago-area premiere at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, boasts no fewer than four weddings. But the most perfect marriage is that of director/choreographer Marc Robin to the material.
The Marriott veteran responsible for "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "The Producers" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" deftly applies his considerable theatrical savvy to this frothy charmer about a likably fussy, middle-aged theater fan - known as Man in Chair and affectionately played to a perfect pitch by James Harms - transported by a rare recording of his favorite show, a fictitious 1928 musical titled "The Drowsy Chaperone."
Robin's skill is evident in his breezy, effortlessly energetic choreography that marries retro elegance with contemporary athleticism. Speaking of which, this production features some of the most dynamic tap dancing I've seen in a Marc Robin show.
And that's saying something. Moreover, the showstopping duo of Tyler Hanes and Andy Lupp, and triple threat Tari Kelly (the titular Millie in Robin's taptastic 2006 revival in a welcome return), deserve every huzzah they receive.
It's also evident in the glee that infuses every silly scene and in the flight-of-fancy finale featuring a prop plane and an inspired exit for the Man that properly befits "Chaperon's" most ardent fan.
The Man doesn't ask much, just "a story and a few good songs that will take me away." Unspoken is the power of such a theatrical confection to keep at bay the loneliness that the Man wears like the thin blue sweater in which he wraps himself.
As for escapist entertainment, Marriott's delectable "Drowsy Chaperone" delivers. Composed by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, with a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, the Tony Award-winning show is a pleasant diversion, a gently satirical love letter to musical theater with a brief but poignant meditation on the refuge art provides. Yes, that feels a bit out of place in this lighter-than-air show. But the endearing Harms delivers the sentiment with a feather touch. Good thing, this slender show can't bear much weight. That's why it works as well as it does.
"The Drowsy Chaperone" is a musical of spit-takes and comic seductions; of mistaken identities and misunderstandings and populated by meddling producers, unflappable butlers, dotty society mavens and punny gangsters. The needlessly complicated plot centers on the impending nuptials of oil heir Robert (Hanes, of the blinding smile) to Janet (the delightful Kelly), the Feldzieg Follies ingénue determined to sacrifice stardom for love. Losing Janet means closing the show, which producer Feldzieg (David Lively) won't allow for fear of his silent partner unleashing on him a pair of Damon Runyonesque gangsters (played by brothers Adrian and Alexander Aguilar). Among the guests caught in the whirlwind marriage is Janet's boozy chaperon, played by the wonderfully droll powerhouse Linda Balgord, and Robert's best friend George (Lupp, the Donald O'Connor to Haynes' Gene Kelly). Along for the ride is the lisping Latin Lothario Adolpho (a very funny Adam Pelty); a modestly talented young actress (Laura E. Taylor); a gentleman's gentleman (the spot on Gene Weygandt), an aviator (a cameo by Melody Betts) and the eccentric Mrs. Tottendale played by the always-entertaining Paula Scrofano.
The star power extends beyond the footlights to music Director Doug Peck, impeccable as always, and designer Nancy Missimi, whose wonderfully detailed, prettily plumed, period costumes are like the cherry on the top of this delicious treat.
"The Drowsy Chaperone" #9733;#9733;#9733;#189;Location: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.comShowtimes: 1 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 4:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday through June 27Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes, with intermissionTickets: $35-$48, $55 dinner theater packages available Wednesday and ThursdayParking: Lot adjacent to theater Rating: For most audiences, middle-school and olderFalse499331The taptastic Andrew Lupp (foreground) plays best friend and best-man George in Marriott Theatre's high-steppin' production of "The Drowsy Chaperone." False <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Video</h2><ul class="video"><!-- Start of Brightcove Player --><div style="display:none"></div><!--By use of this code snippet, I agree to the Brightcove Publisher T and Cfound at https://accounts.brightcove.com/en/terms-and-conditions/.--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://admin.brightcove.com/js/BrightcoveExperiences.js"></script><object id="myExperience84397516001" class="BrightcoveExperience"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="width" value="300" /><param name="height" value="255" /><param name="playerID" value="18011347001" /><param name="publisherID" value="1659832549"/><param name="isVid" value="true" /><param name="dynamicStreaming" value="true" /><param name="@videoPlayer" value="84397516001" /></object><!--This script tag will cause the Brightcove Players defined above it to be created as soonas the line is read by the browser. If you wish to have the player instantiated only afterthe rest of the HTML is processed and the page load is complete, remove the line.--><script type="text/javascript">brightcove.createExperiences();</script><!-- End of Brightcove Player --></ul></div></div></div>