Solid family fun
'Drowsy Chaperone' offers solid family fun
"The Drowsy Chaperone," Hale Centre Theatre, through Nov. 27 ((801-984-9000 or www.halecentretheatre.org); running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes (one intermission)
WEST VALLEY CITY — Each time I've seen "The Drowsy Chaperone," which has been three times, I sit delighted at the sheer amount of cleverness, wit, warmth, originality and fun.
What a clever, clever, clever show!
I had the privilege of interviewing one of its creators, Bob Martin, just after they won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2006. His astonishment over the show's success, which began as a wedding gift from friends for Martin and his wife Janet, was infectious.
Hailed by critics as the first "truly original" work Broadway had seen in a long time, "The Drowsy Chaperone" is truly refreshing.
With wonderful material to work with, all Hale director David Tinney had to do was make sure he put together a cast to really make it sing — which he did.
"Chaperone" is interesting because other than the lead, The Man In Chair (that is the character's name), there really aren't any leads per se, it's really a marvelous ensemble piece, where everyone from the Chaperone to the gangsters, get a song or two.
The role of Man in Chair, played by Greg Barnett, (single cast) is a substantial undertaking. With plenty of large monologues, the actor needs wonderful comedic timing, sincerity, warmth, and vulnerability
And if that weren't enough, he must be instantly likable. Barnett does a wonderful job. His soft-spoken yet unbridled enthusiasm for theater will certainly resonate with theatergoers. Barnett is warm, completely engaging and nails the comedy — of which there is plenty. He could have been just a touch older, seeing as how he's reminiscing about the '20s, but that's pretty negligible.
The rest of the cast is solid as well. Darick J. Pead (double cast with David K. Martin) delivers a wonderful Aldolpho, the self-proclaimed ladies' man. Taylor Eliason (Ames Bell, double) and Debra Weed (Kelly Coombs) are darling as the betrothed couple, with Eliason mastering some pretty tricky physical comedy.
Across the board, the cast is solid and the dance numbers are some of the best of the evening; kudos to Tinney's peppy choreography and some great dancers.
The only frustration is one that can't be avoided, and that's the arena stage. It's just hard to feel left out, and it's no fun to miss gags.
One other concern was the seemingly slippery stage. Many actors shoes lacked traction, and one actress fell down — perhaps that could be revisited.
Anne Puzey's music direction brings the original tunes to life, and Spencer Brown's lighting helps distinguish from Man's home to the imaginary musical.
To appeal to its audience, Hale has cleaned up some of the innuendo that was in the Broadway version.
This is a very solid production of a delightful piece of theater and definitely worth fitting into your autumn family fun.
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Media Contact:
Erica Hansen
Deseret News
ehansen@desnews.com
Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 4:32 p.m. MDT
