Theater Review: Beef and Boards: The Drowsy Chaperone

The Drowsy Chaperone, continuing at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis, may seem misleading at first glance. One might imagine the show jumping from the vinyl record (remember those?) onto the stage is the story. It isn't, however.

The true story is the gentleman sitting to the left of the "show" playing out on stage. "Man in the Chair" as he is billed, is portrayed flawlessly by David Schmittou. His wistful, almost pleading, connection with the audience touches the heart. Completely ignoring the fourth wall, Schmittou opens his most prized possession with us: his favorite musical.
As he explains the meaning behind the show, his tenderness and affection for the memories it stirs will stir your own memories of favorite songs, musicals, plays, films and books. The ones which shape your character and which you are so desperate to share with others so that they, too, may be forever uplifted, touched, and changed by it.

Without leaving his chair, well not often, Man in the Chair introduces us to "his" show and its cast. Set in the Jazz Age, a starlet (Laura Douciere) and tycoon (Timothy Ford) are to be wed, if only the stage star can decide whether to return to the life which beckons her or break from the thrill of stardom forever and say, "I do."

A fun romp through a memorable time with pastry chefs who are actually gangsters (Craig Underwood, Sam McKanney) and the up and coming starlet Kitty (Deb Wims). Self-loving Italian playboy Adolpho (Alan M-L Wager) meets his match with the title character, portrayed deliciously by Victoria Weinberg.

Keep your eye on the narrating man in the well worn chair throughout, however, if you are able, as he is the true story and a rather wonderful one at that.

Bottom Line: Check out Beef and Boards' The Drowsy Chaperone for the fun side and remember it for the sentimental side.


Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre Raises the Curtain on 97th Season

*Press Release*

INDIANAPOLIS (March 16, 2011) – Dubbed “Brand New Stage, Brilliant New Season,” Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre’s inaugural season at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel promises to feature big stagings, colorful characters and fabulous show tunes.

This September, at the state-of-the-art Tarkington Theater, Civic will make its debut as the facility’s principal resident with its highly anticipated 97th season. The theater’s 2011-12 season is scheduled to include:

The Drowsy Chaperone (Sept. 9-24), book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. 

The Drowsy Chaperone, an homage to the American Jazz Age musical and its restorative effects, begins when the narrator, a die-hard musical fan, seeks to cure his melancholy by listening to a recording of his favorite 1920s musical, which bursts to life in his living room. This whimsical and captivating romp won five Tony® Awards, including Best Book and Score. 

Amadeus (Oct. 28-Nov. 12), by Peter Shaffer.

Peter Shaffer’s award-winning Amadeus combines fiction and history to explore the dramatic rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, the late eighteenth century court composer for the Emperor of Austria, who escorts the audience through his recollection of the events leading to Mozart’s death. A Tony® Award winner for Best Play, the story is a dramatic and sometimes humorous look at the struggle between mediocrity and genius.

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka (Dec. 16-Jan. 7), music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Tim McDonald.

Willy Wonka and his band of singing Oompa Loompas lead Charlie Bucket and his quirky cohorts on a tantalizing tour of the mysterious candy-maker's fantastical factory. This holiday treat features many memorable songs including "The Candy Man," "I Want It Now!" and "Pure Imagination.”

Lend Me A Tenor (Feb. 10-25), by Ken Ludwig.

In Ken Ludwig’s zany comedy, the Cleveland Grand Opera Company has secured the world-famous tenor “Il Stupendo” Tito Morelli, in his greatest role, Otello, for their 1934 gala season-opener. Unfortunately, due to well-intended but misguided meddling, “Il Stupendo” is given an overdose of tranquilizers, rendering him unable to perform. This zany farce is full of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and fast-paced hilarity.

Guys and Dolls (Apr. 27-May 12), book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser.

In a desperate attempt to garner support for his floating craps game, Nathan Detroit challenges Sky Masterson to lure a local Salvation Army girl, Sarah Brown, to Cuba for an award of one thousand dollars. Sky ends up falling in love with Sarah and tries to reform his risky ways, but must make one last wager to prove his love. Full of hilarious characters, thrilling dance numbers and timeless tunes including “Luck Be a Lady.”

Subscriptions for Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre’s 2011-12 season at the Center for the Performing Arts are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Civic’s Box Office at 317.923.4597 or visiting www.CivicTheatre.org.

  

Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre is the largest of more than 70 community theaters in Indiana. It isalso one of the 10 largest active community theaters in the United States and is considered to be one of the nation's longest continuously operating community theaters. The theatre has been a vital part of the city's cultural landscape, serving audiences and cast and crew members from Indianapolis, Avon, Brownsburg, Carmel, Fishers, Greenfield, Greenwood, Noblesville, Westfield,Zionsville and communities throughout Central Indiana for 95 years. In the fall of 2011, Civic will move its theater and operations to the Center for the Performing Arts, located in Carmel, where it will be the principal residenttheatre company of the Tarkington Theater, a new 500-seat state-of-the-art proscenium theater.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.
Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.