Theater Director Michael McConaughey said one of the main reasons to see “The Drowsy Chaperone JR.” is that it's hilarious.
“It is an upbeat comedy and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” McConaughey said.
Plus, he added that attending supports students. The play is the work of 35 to 40 students, including the 27 upperclassmen taking the NHS Musical Theater Class, which, as the name suggests, involves producing a musical. So what’s this student production all about?
The “JR.” at the end indicates it’s a condensed version of the original, about one hour long, but the basic plot remains the same. A man plays a record of his favorite Broadway musical, a fictional musical from 1928 called “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Engaging the audience, as if he were playing the record for them, he narrates the story, with humor.
Starlet Janet Van De Graff is marrying oil tycoon Robert Martin. While they prep for their wedding, drama ensues as the quirky characters interact: Van De Graff’s sleepy chaperone, a glamorous aviatrix, and gangsters disguised as pastry chefs.
“It’s a show within a show; I love the way it plays on itself; it’s not afraid to be silly or goofy; we have all the creative freedom we want,” said NHS senior Hudson Moore, who plays Broadway producer Victor Feldzieg.
Junior Audrey Harris, who plays Janet Van De Graff, said the actors revel in the free format.
“When it comes to creative freedom, I get to do a ton of voice inflection and there is a part where I get to have a really bad French accent,” Harris said.
If you want to see something short and funny and support Harris, Moore, and all of the other students in the show, there are plenty of chances to do so: 7 p.m. on May, 9, 10, and 11, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on May 11. The cost is $8 per student and $10 per adult. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the rankone.com website.
While this performance will be a wrap soon, the curtain’s not going down on NHS Theater yet this year. There’s one more hurrah, the Tournament of Plays, a one-act competition, which will be held at 7 p.m. on May 23, 24, and 25.
Cast List
- Janet: Audrey Harris
- Drowsy: Mia Ramirez
- Tottendale: Reeghan Hansen Morgan
- Kitty: Imogen Long
- Trix: Abby Brown
- Robert: Oliver Kolbet
- George: Mason Blair
- Man in Chair: River Frankamp
- Underling: Cooper Oakes
- Fieldzig: Hudson Moore
- Aldolpho: Daniel Beals
- Gang 1: Destiny Freeman
- Gang 2: Charlee Brown
- Ensemble: Shaeli Lutz, Everly Sturdevant, Susie Meuwissen, Cam Kolbet, Patrick Tabscott, Alex Jackson, Lila Foster, and Tricia Seto
- Super: Charlee Brown
Student Director
- Erik Hansen
Crew
- Student Technical Directors: Finn Meader and Cael Woolsey
- Showcaller: Finn Meader
- Lights: Erik Hansen
- Spotlight: Nick Greer and Karly Mair
- Props: Roman Huston and Katie Wharff
- Sound: Espen Bock
- Sound Assistant / Mics: Cael Woolsey, Finn Meader, and Espen Bock
- SL Asst. Stage Manager: Jacob Wojcik
- Stagehand: Xander Seger, James Wright, Jonas Danner, and Grace Amerson
- Rigging: Grace Amerson
- SR Asst. Stage Manager: Sophia Wong
- Stage Hands: Sam Floyd, Katie Wharff, and Cael Woolsey
- Makeup: Clara Kern, Janae McDonough
- Costumes: Tricia Seto, Lila Foster, Ollie Capellen, AJ Osborn, Elliot Pemberton, and Maggie Taylor