'Drowsy Chaperone' leaps onto Wheaton stage

When a quirky, agoraphobe treats the audience to his favorite record, "The Drowsy Chaperone," out of his imagination jumps an entire ensemble of crazy mishaps and misadventures.

Billed as "a musical within a comedy," Wheaton Drama's opening production of the 2010-11 season, "The Drowsy Chaperone," promises humor - silly humor - and a strong lineup of 1920s-esque musical tunes.

The show opens Friday, Sept. 17, and runs through Oct. 10 at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St. in downtown Wheaton.

It's fairly common for productions to put on a play within a play - for example, a story about the lives of the actors who are going on stage to put on another play.

"The Drowsy Chaperone" is a show within one man's imagination - the narrator of the story called Man in Chair, played by Stuart Vance of Naperville.

"The audience is going to see everything that comes to life before them as Man in Chair talks about what's happening during this show," Vance said. "The role itself is a real challenge because it's all happening around me. I interact with (the other actors), but I don't touch them. I don't talk to them. I just move through it and see it come to life."

A bit down and out, Man in Chair opens the production by inviting the audience into his apartment to cheer up and listen to his favorite record - the one that comforts him when he's feeling down, "The Drowsy Chaperone."

As each song plays, typically a spoof of old 1920s musical numbers, a back story leaps out of Man in Chair's imagination.

"He fills in a lot of background that people wouldn't normally know about a show," Vance said.

Set in the present with modern annoyances like cell phone interruptions, the music reminiscent of old musicals appeals to people of all ages, said Sara Malloy, who plays Janet Van De Graaff, a star who is giving up her career for love.

"People are going to embrace the silly," Malloy said. "If people can do that - just expect that it's going to be such a silly good time."

Additional shows for Wheaton Drama this season include "Little Women," "Twentieth Century," "All My Sons" and "1776."

Tickets are $18 for Thursday shows and $21 for all other days. The curtain goes up at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays.

For information, call (630) 260-1820 or visit wheatondrama.org.

If you goWhat: "The Drowsy Chaperone"When: Opens Friday, Sept. 17, and continues at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 10Where: Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., WheatonCost: $18 Thursdays, $21 all other showsInfo: (630) 260-1820 or wheatondrama.orgFalse13282000Played by Stuart Vance of Naperville, Man in Chair dreams up characters like Chaperone, played by Pam Turlow, and offers trivia and insight to their actions in Wheaton Drama's musical comedy, "The Drowsy Chaperone."Courtesy of Wheaton DramaFalse