Funny.“ “œSmart.“ “œConvoluted.“ These are just a few of the words that came up in conversation about Warsaw Federal Incline Theater“™s up-and-coming production of The Drowsy Chaperone. Director Angela Kahle and the cast particularly discussed the implications of world and character building for “œa show within a show.“
Van Ackerman, a.k.a “œMan in Chair,“ is our guide through the fictional jazz-age musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, at times stopping the action to explain characters, their respective actors, or any actor-to-actor drama that might be going on behind the scenes.
This, of course, presents the actors with the unique challenge of playing a character, who also happens to be an actor, who is also playing a character. We can expect to see the layers and complexity of this work, among other things, to come out in the show itself. “œI don“™t think it“™s going to be what people expect,“ said actress Helen Anneliesa Raymond-Goers, who is playing Mrs. Tottendale in the show.
The plot follows the Man in Chair as he attempts to cure his “œnon-specific sadness“ by putting on his favorite recording The Drowsy Chaperone. The plot of the show-in-the-show focuses on Janet Van-Der Graaff, a budding actress ready to give up her career to marry her fiancé, Robert Martin. Feldzieg, her producer, is pressured to stop the wedding by two gangsters-disguised-as-pastry-chefs, and devises his own plan to discreetly end the engagement. Antics, song, dance, and hilarity ensue.
There was one, resounding consensus among all the cast in terms of their production: it“™s going to be one you won“™t want to miss. Angela, making her directing debut here at the Incline, especially talked about how this show can resonate with all patrons of theater, whether a seasoned veteran of many years, or someone who has seen a musical only once in their lives. It“™s everything you love about musicals, plus a strong ensemble cast, and a cozy hometown theater looking over the Cincinnati skyline.
The Drowsy Chaperone opens August 2nd at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater. Tickets can be obtained online at http://www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com. Come out, bring your friends, and get ready for a good time. In the words of actor Christopher Carter, “œIt“™s fun for all, and all for fun!“
