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Saint Viator to put on madcap musical adventure with ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’

This year’s musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” is anything but drowsy. Think madcap humor, catchy songs, and showstopping dance numbers.

All of this explains why students in Saint Viator’s theater program are having a blast bringing this Tony Award-winning musical to life.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, Feb. 6-8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at saintviator.hometownticketing.com/embed/all or at the door.

While “The Drowsy Chaperone” may not be as well-known as many of the traditional musicals, the 1920s-era musical earned 13 Tony nominations in 2006, winning five.

Director Megan Gray has been a fan of the show ever since she and her family saw the 2007 Broadway touring show. She thinks audience members will like its memorable tunes and outrageous plot, as well as its “show within a show” concept.

“At the heart of the story is the Man in the Chair — a nameless person sitting alone in his apartment trying to cheer himself up on a day when he is feeling particularly blue,” Gray said. “The number one thing that cheers him up is listening to musicals. He decides to put on the record of the fictitious show ‘The Drowsy Chaperone,’ and the musical comes to life right inside his apartment, filling the space with joy and laughter.”

Junior Thomas Bollard of Roselle plays the Man in the Chair, and he finds him relatable.

“I enjoy things such as listening to musicals and collecting records,” Thomas said, “so playing the role of somebody who shared similar interests to me helped me get into character.”

A man, played by junior Thomas Bollard of Roselle, puts on his favorite cast recording and sees the musical's characters come to life in his apartment. Courtesy of St. Viator

Senior Kenzie Schwabe of Arlington Heights plays the show’s title character, Beatrice Stockwell, or the drowsy chaperone. She tries to keep the bride, Janet Van de Graff, from seeing her fiancé, Robert, on their wedding day. She’s typically intoxicated yet comes up with some insightful advice.

“It was difficult for me to play this part because I had to figure out how to be ‘drowsy,’” Kenzie said, “but also remain proper and stand tall as the proud Beatrice Stockwell.”

Senior Lexi Horn of Arlington Heights plays Janet Van de Graff, the bride, who is a showgirl who plans to give up her stage career to marry Robert, an oil tycoon, which gangsters are trying to prevent.

“Janet is a diva and loves all eyes on her,” Lexi said. “Even though she is a total 180 from my usual self, portraying her was such a blast, and I am so thankful to be able to bring her to life.”

Junior Joe Kaiser of Kildeer plays her intended, Robert Martin, in a role far different from his last musical performance, when he played the insecure flower shop worker Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors” last year.

“Robert is the ‘dashing debonair’ who is in love with Janet Van de Graff,” Joe said. “Bringing this character to life was nothing short of challenging but incredibly rewarding. Every character is completely unique and over-the-top, which makes this show so fun.”

St. Viator theater students are putting on the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone,” featuring catchy songs and showstopping dance numbers. Courtesy of St. Viator

Bottom line, the show reinforces the role of musicals in the arts, as a way to transport and brighten the audience, just like they did for the Man in the Chair, Gray said.

“Musicals are a unique form of storytelling through color, light, song, dance, comedy, and glitz,” she said. “They have the ability to reflect our own lives onstage or allow us a glimpse into someone else’s unique life experience. As we are stumbling through life, musicals are able to transport us and allow us to briefly escape the real world.”

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