The Drowsy Chaperone cast: (from left) Sarah Cooper, Matt Meade, Emily Christman, Kevin Orth, Brianna O’Dell, Daniel Bradshaw, Courtney Hamilton, Mike Cochran, Anna Foss, Joshua Sands, Kirby Francis, Debi Frazier, and Emily Levings.
As part of the Ohio State University at Marion’s Five Nights on Campus cultural arts series, students will present The Drowsy Chaperone, A Musical Within A Comedy. Performances of the annual musical production will be Thursday, November 14 and Friday, November 15, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in Morrill Hall Auditorium on the Marion campus, 1465 Mount Vernon Avenue, Marion.
Directed by local community theatre veteran Scott Persinger, The Drowsy Chaperone is a parody of American musical comedies of the 1920s. The story concerns a middle-aged, antisocial musical theatre fan. As he plays the recording of his favorite musical, the fictional 1928 hit The Drowsy Chaperone comes to life on stage as he wryly comments on the music, story, and actors.
“This is probably one of the funniest Broadway musicals to come out in years. The audience will not be disappointed,” said Persinger.
“What makes the show unique,” explained the director, “is the interaction lead character Man in Chair (played by Daniel Bradshaw) develops with audience members.”
“Seeing inside the head of the narrator,” said Persinger, “his thoughts, his passion for musical theatre, and his idiosyncrasies add greatly to the charm and intimacy of the show.”
Cast of The Drowsy Chaperone includes a combination of student and community theatre actors including: Man in Chair – Daniel Bradshaw; Robert Martin – Matt Meade; Janet Van DeGraff – Sarah Cooper; The Drowsy Chaperone – Courtney Hamilton; Aldolpho – Mike Cochran; Feldzeig – Joshua Sands; Kitty – Anna Foss; Underling – Kevin Orth; Mrs. Tottendale – Brianna O’Dell; George/Superintendent – Kirby Francis; Gangster #1 – Emily Levings; Gangster #2 Debi Frazier; and Trix – Emily Christman.
Production staff includes: music director – Jim Besch; choreographer – Matt Meade; stage manager – Paige Clark; costume designer – Susan Wenig; set designer – Ben Moore & Joshua Tennar; sound & lights – Tom Danner & Event Management; hair & make-up – Elizabeth Moore; and production assistant – Cailey Gottwald. The show is produced by Wayne Rowe and The Ohio State University at Marion Office of Community Relations and Development as part of Five Nights on Campus. Orchestra members include: orchestra director – Jim Besch; bass – Jacob Schlichting; drums/percussion – Nick Koehler; piano/synth – Jim Besch; trumpet – Matt Kelley; and woodwinds – Bill Swihart
The Drowsy Chaperone first opened on Broadway in May 2006, and won the Tony Award for Best Book and Best Score. It has had major productions in Toronto, New York, London, Los Angeles, and Japan, as well as two North American tours.
Advance tickets for The Drowsy Chaperone are available by calling 740-725-6340 or in person at Maynard Hall, Room 240 on the Marion campus. For more information on The Drowsy Chaperone visit osumarion.osu.edu/drowsy. Tickets prices are $15 general admission; $10 seniors/students. Tickets are available the evening of each show while they last.
Following the successful completion of the student musical production, Five Nights on Campus will take a winter hiatus and return on Thursday, March 14, 7:30 p.m. with the folk group Wild Carrot & The Roots Band. Followed by nationally renowned a cappella foursome Fourth Avenue, Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m. and end the season with tales of Dickens in Ohio on Thursday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State Marion wishes to thank their 2013-14 sponsors: Arcelormittal; ClearChannel Marion; Frontier; Marion Community Credit Union; Marion Industrial Center, Inc.; Marion Technical College; Morral Companies, LLC; Ohio Health; Sims Bros., Inc.; Stifel; The Marion Star; UniPrint; Whirlpool Corporation; and Wyandot, Inc. Also special thanks to our partners The Ohio State University Alumni Club of Marion County and Buckeye Backers (Ohio State Marion’s volunteer group)
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