Review-The Drowsy Chaperone (5.6.06)

The Drowsy Chaperone (Saturday, 5.6.06, 2 p.m.)
Marquis Theatre (Broadway)

Starring: Bob Martin (Man in Chair), Georgia Engel (Mrs. Tottendale), Edward Hibbert (Underling), Troy Britton Johnson (Robert Martin), Eddie Korbich (George), Lenny Wolfe (Feldzieg), Jennifer Smith (Kitty), Jason Kravits (Gangster #1), Garth Kravits (Gangster #2), Danny Burstein (Aldolpho), Sutton Foster (Janet Van De Graaff), Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), Kecia Lewis-Evans (Trix), Joey Sorge (Super)

The Drowsy Chaperone starts with a voice in a darkened theatre. The Man in Chair, which is the only way in which he is known, begins his narration with a humorous monologue on what might go through your head just as the lights dim at the theatre. It’s humorous, it’s fun, and it’s pretty much true.

When the lights finally come up, we are in Man in Chair’s apartment, a humble setting that soon becomes the scene for the remainder of the show. Man in Chair then puts on the record, and sets the scene of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” his favorite musical from 1928; a light, frothy confection which, despite its flaws, has the power to take him away. What follows is a delightful romp; a smartly written show-within-a-show which looks and sounds like the frothy shows of the 1920s, but has enough humor and double entendre to be enjoyed at this day and age. But what really makes it work is the way the show is framed by Man in Chair’s commentary, which not only helps elaborate on the story (and point out the flaws, not that they do not themselves stand out), but which also gives background on the fictitious actors and even, at times, of Man in Chair’s own life.

I'm often not a big fan of shows that are so "self aware" of themselves as shows, but this one is truly delightful, a light confection without a serious note in its entire body. I suspect that a frequent theatre-goer will enjoy it as much as a total theatre novice not accustomed to musical theatre. Man in Chair clearly relishes the show-within-a-show’s ability to transport him away, but he never takes the things that go on in the show itself too seriously.

Of course, what also helps considerably are the tremendous performances given by the amazing core of actors. Led by Sutton Foster’s remarkably versatile comedic turn and Beth Leavel’s absolutely hilarious turn as in the title role, the show-within-a-show is a comedic delight. Rounding out the cast nicely are Troy Britton Johnson’s magnetic Robert Martin and Danny Burstein’s side-splitting Aldolpho.

But anchoring the whole show, of course, is co-writer Bob Martin as Man in Chair. Martin is tremendous – humorous, poignant – a success on many levels. His role is critical to this show’s success, since it is only with the show-within-a-store framework that allows the piece to work. This gem of a show is a surprising delight. It won't change your life or even cause you to think twice, but it's a heck of a good time while you're there watching it.