“The Drowsy Chaperone” will be presented at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20, and at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 21, in the Alton High School auditorium. The set and costume designs are by Julia Frazier. Tottendale (played by Hayley File), the underling (Lorian Warford), Robert Martin (Gabe Levi), George (Austin Turnbull), Feldzieg (Garrett Cooper), Kitty (Shelby Oertel), gangsters #1 and #2 (Jovon and Jaron Ammons), Janet Van de Graaff (Alaina Bozarth), The Drowsy Chaperone (Audrey Neace), Trix the Aviatrix (Morgan Palmer), and superintendent (Devon Nasso).Įnsemble members are E’Niya Fields, Annie Gallaher, Aaliyah Jones, James Harbaugh, Sophia Kumagai, Ellie Levi and Kyle Neace. Other characters and cast members are Mrs. “‘Fancy Dress’ is basically a big grand introduction to all of the characters, and seeing all my friends and cast mates bring their characters to life in that song makes both me and my character incredibly gleeful,” Heil said. Two of the songs he enjoys are the opening number, “Fancy Dress,” and he also likes “I Am Aldolpho.” ![]() I’ve approached this character as someone who doesn’t get the audience too lost in all the glamour and color of it all, but pulls them all back from time to time to relate it to them.” Everybody has something that excites them as much as musicals excite the Man In Chair. “My character, while eccentric and flamboyant, is the relatable part of the show. “It’s most definitely about characters and how they build the world and complete the sense of a fantastical golden age musical,” Heil said. Heil, who plays Man In Chair, said when he read through “The Drowsy Chaperone” and watched performances and interviews of Bob Martin, the writer and original Man In Chair, he got a great sense of the atmosphere and feel of the show. It is just a beautiful ending to a wonderful show.” “I love the numbers ‘I Am Aldolpho’ and ‘Toledo Surprise,’ but my favorite number in the show is the finale. “I love to see how many emotions and drastic changes I can show just through facial expressions,” Domer said. Spencer Domer, who plays Aldolpho - The King of Romance, said he has done a lot of research into silent film stars because that is his character’s profession. ![]() “The plot incorporates mistaken identities, dream sequences and spit takes in the show-within-a-show structure, so there is lots of laughter – even as the cast rehearses each of these scenes,” she said. The show is very high energy, and Neace said it is full of ridiculous comic bits that are fun to learn as an actor. It is tough work in the first few rehearsals, but working out all of the little vocal details really pays off once you start adding movement to the scenes,” she added. “The vocal parts are extremely challenging, but the cast has worked hard at learning all the fun harmonies that make the songs sound full and exciting. “And the ensemble is an extremely important part of this show, as they play different characters in each scene. “We have a wonderful young cast, who are very well-trained, and are doing a great job of bringing their characters to life in the songs,” Neace said. Neace said “The Drowsy Chaperone” has over-the-top, comic characters, and each leading role must bring his or her unique voice. Songs are upbeat, though some may approach a difficult subject, but in a lighter way songs like “Show Off,” “Cold Feets,” Bride’s Lament” and “Love is Always Lovely in the End,” which speaks of the trials and tribulations of relationships, but in a comical way, reminding us that love can last and be timeless, without too many emotional peaks and valleys.Īlison Neace and Michael Frazier are the vocal directors for the Riverbend Theatre production, with direction by Kristi Doering. Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, “The Drowsy Chaperone” features one big song and dance number after another. In and around the songs, the dancing and the comedy is the touching story of how music can make a difference in people’s lives. ![]() The audience gains a glimpse into the characters of the show and the actors who played them, as the Man in Chair throws in his own clever comments, which begin to reveal a little more about him personally.
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