The Drowsy Chaperone

Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar

Directed by Kim Doyle

Original Broadway production of The Drowsy Chaperone produced by Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Bob Boyett, Stephanie McClelland, Barbara Freitag and Jill Furman.

Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Jazz Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.

A man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and an evening of madcap delight ensues.

Produced by Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre at Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre, 117 West Maple Ave., Beaver Dam

Performances: August 5-14, 2022

Performance Times:
Fridays | August 5 & 12 | 7:30 pm
Saturdays | August 6 & 13 | 7:30 pm
Sundays | August 7 & 14 | 2 pm

Ticket Prices: $24, $22, $17

Call 920-885-6891 for reservations or more information.

Auditions

Auditions will be held on the following days:

5/25/2022
5/26/2022

Audition sign up and full information at:https://bdact.org/auditions/

Please be prepared to:

Do a reading from the script
Learn a short dance
Sing about one minute of a classic Broadway song or Jazz standard (a capella or karaoke track via Bluetooth speaker)
Complete a vocal range check.

Cast of Characters
Ages and genders are an indication of the character in the show. Not necessarily the age and gender of the actual performer.

Man in Chair: (40s – 70s) Male or female narrator of the show. Their love and appreciation for musical theatre is apparent. Many lines, non-singing for the most part. A few lines of song at the end of the show if they have that skill.

Janet Van de Graaff: (30s) Star of Feldzieg’s Follies who is conflicted about giving up her life on the stage to marry Robert Martin. Attractive, vivacious, outgoing personality. She loves being the center of attention and is the consummate 1920s starlet. Strong movement and special skills (acrobatics, juggling, etc.) a plus. Vocal range: Alto with big belt (G3-E5)

Robert Martin: (30-40) The groom-to-be who is deeply in love with Janet. He is the token 1920s leading man – debonair, dashing, and a matinee idol. He is cheesy, cheerful, and optimistic. Must be able to tap dance and roller skate.Vocal range: Tenor (C3 – Ab4)

The Drowsy Chaperone: (40s-50s) Janet’s alcoholic confidante. Care-free, often because she is drunk. An experienced “woman of the world” who couldn’t care less what the world thinks. A melodramatic diva to be reckoned with who gleefully chews the scenery and steals just about every scene she is in. Great comedic role. Think Liza Minnelli meets Tallulah Bankhead. Vocal range: Alto with strong belt (F3-D5)

Aldolpho: (40s) Latin lothario. A womanizing cad who is very impressed with himself. He is confident, vigorous, and a buffoon. Vaudeville-style acting and fake Spanish/Italian accent required. Should have great comic timing. Vocal range: Bass/Baritone + great falsetto (A#2-G4)

Mrs. Tottendale: (45-60) A wealthy widow and host of the wedding. She is flighty, eccentric, oftentimes forgetful, and funny. She is absolutely charming, bubbly and oblivious to the confusion her behavior generates in other people. Vocal range: Alto character voice (G3-Db5)

Underling: (50s-60s) Mrs. Tottendale’s unflappable butler and manservant. He is stoic, dry-humored and sarcastic. A cross between Arthur Treacher and Niles the butler from The Nanny. Vocal range: Tenor character voice (Ab2-G4)

Mr. Feldzieg: (40s-50s) Harried producer who will do anything to stop the wedding in order to keep Janet in the Follies. He is nervous, sarcastic, impatient, overbearing, and insensitive. Vocal range: Baritone (Db3-Db4)

Kitty: (30s) 1920s dumb blonde chorine. She is Mr. Feldzieg’s companion and will do anything to be a leading lady. A cross between Norma Cassady from Victor Victoria and Lena Lamont from Singin’ in the Rain. Vocal range: Soprano comedic belt (Bb3-F5)

George: (30s-40s) Robert’s anxious best man. He is loyal, sincere, and nervous. Makes looking out for Robert’s interests his top priority so that the wedding will come off without a hitch. Must be able to tap. Vocal range: Tenor (F3-Bb4)

Gangsters 1 & 2: (30s-40s) Two jovial gangsters who are posing as pastry chefs. Typical 1920s Broadway gangsters full of word play and stylized movements. Good comic timing and dancing skills required. May double in the ensemble. Vocal range: Tenor (Db3-Gb4)

Trix the Aviatrix: (35-50) The brave and brash female aviator. She is sassy, sleek and a take charge kind of gal. Vocal range: Alto (Ab3-Eb5)

Ensemble: (20-40) A strong, dancing/singing ensemble up to 2 men and 2 women. Vocal range: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass