Drowsy Chaperone, The

One of the wittiest and most charming shows ever to play Broadway, this 2006 confection gives us the Man in Chair, a dedicated but lonely show buff, once again isolated in his apartment, conjuring up a vintage 1928 musical that he has never seen but which is very real to him. So real, in fact, the characters in the story begin emerging from the furniture, doorways, and Murphy bed in his small apartment. Gradually, his dreary surroundings become (almost) completely replaced by the fanciful and comical personalities and situations of his favorite show.

Scenery

Costumes

Properties

Drops

Projections

Scenery

J Branson’s period-perfect set begins in a dreary modern-day apartment, which throughout the show eventually transforms into the set for a Ziegfeld-styled extravaganza. At first, only small scenic elements are added to augment the basic design, but as the show goes along, the designs become more complicated and opulent, always patterned after scenic backdrops and stage tableaux of the era. Many of the pieces for the show, including the elaborate period biplane, were constructed by Kyle Van Sandt.

Built: 2009
Movement: Flying units / ground units actor motivated
Offstage space: Minimal
Number of Trucks: * 2- 53’ air-ride
# Line sets used: 20 /4-married
Groundrow: None
Portals: 2/ incorporating static wall units
Load-in crew: 4-carps / 2-elecs / 2-props / 3-fly
Load-in time: 10+ hours
Show crew: 2-carps / 1-elec / 2-props /
Fly crew: 2

*See Space requirements for Logistic Requirements

Costumes

The costumes designed by George T. Mitchell for this clever show are appropriately stylized, boldly and amusingly delineating the broadly drawn characters in this 1920s spoof. These include a charismatic showgirl, a world-weary chanteuse, a harried producer, his chirpy girlfriend, a matinee idol bridegroom, his tap dancing best friend, a dingy dowager, her starchy butler, a Latin lothario, a pioneering aviatrix, two comic gangsters posing as pastry chefs, and a small ensemble.