You don’t see a lot of musicals about people who love musicals, but that’s exactly what will be on offer when the performers with Bard to Broadway presents their production of The Drowsy Chaperone.
The musical is based on a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison.
This parody of American musical comedy in the 1920s involves a middle-aged, musical theatre fan who plays the record of his favorite musical, The Drowsy Chaperone — which then comes to life on stage.
The show won the Tony Award for Best Book and Best Score.
That’s not surprising. With a reluctant stage star bride, a tap-dancing best man, a womanizing gigolo, gangsters and an intoxicated chaperone, there’s seemingly no end to the twists and turns in this comedy.
The cast is led by Jessica Atkinson as Janet Van Der Graaff, Zac Brockman ad Robert Martin, Marilyn Holt as the drowsy chaperone, Susan Bradshaw as Kitty and Jenny Atkinson as Mrs. Tottendale.
The musical director for this production is Nanaimo resident Barry Miller, while Gary Brown and Erik Fraser Gow are co-directors and Donna Wilkins fills the choreographer’s shoes.
The Drowsy Chaperone cast takes to the stage at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach on Thursday, July 4. Visit www.b2btheatre.com/schedule for more information.
