WHS Presents ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’

by Mark Jahne

Editor

Photos by Mark Jahne

It all centers around the “Man in the Chair.”

The Wethersfield High School drama program’s spring musical is “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a Canadian musical comedy featuring music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar.

This show that spoofs 1920s American musical theater follows a theater fanatic who plays the record of his favorite (fictional) 1928 musical, causing the characters to come to life in his apartment. There is witty commentary, Vaudevillian humor and plenty of music.

Student performers rehearse a dance scene from “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

The audience will witness a Broadway star’s wedding, a ditsy chorus girl, gangsters, a neurotic best man and a tipsy chaperone to the bride. The Man in Chair wittily guides the audience through this parody of Golden Age musicals, featuring mistaken identities, song-and-dance numbers and general chaos.

This show features a cast of 42 as well as eight student musicians and 12 tech workers and crew.

“The Drowsy Chaperone is a fictional creation. It was written as a birthday party joke,” Jeff Roets said. “It plays off the idea of the comfort of the fantastic world an American musical can provide.”

He teaches English at WHS and directs the drama program. Roets explained that the Man in the Chair serves as a narrative force who is depressed about the general state of the world.

He combats this by playing a record album that comes alive in his apartment. Live music will be performed by a pit orchestra. This is the first time in his many years directing WHS plays that this show will be performed.

“It’s a great ensemble. It’s a slightly smaller cast than other shows we have done,” he said. “COVID created some gap years that kids are still struggling with.”

He is confident that this will improve over time. Then he returned to discussing the show.

The Man in the Chair is “enjoying a party mocking an era of American theater,” Roets added.

Dean Rowell portrays the Man in the Chair. Sophia Scheinberg is the female lead playing a character named Janet Vandergraf.

“The chaperone is drowsy because she drinks champagne all the time. There’s a lot of silly fun,” Roets said.

He offered gratitude and praise to Sondra Blanzaco, who is retiring as the producer of WHS live theater. She also served as a costumer and jack-of-all-trades and will be sorely missed.

The dances can be a bit silly, befitting the theme of this musical comedy.

“This is Sondra’s last year. She has been doing shows with me since 2007-2008 as our producer,” Roets added.

He is pleased that the cast and other participants represent a mix of all four grades. Another thing that makes this show different is that it is shorter than most musicals.

Tickets can be purchased online at CUR8.com and will also be sold at the door. The prices are $15 for adults and $13 for students online, and $17 for adults and $14 for students at the door. Online ticket sales close four hours before curtain time. WL

For more information email sblanzaco@gmail.com or call the high school at 860-571-8200.