Drowsy Chaperone Characters: Meet Austin Theatre’s Finest
July 24th, 2010
ZACH Theatre’s summer musical THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is the talk of the town in Austin theatre – no surprise, it’s been my living room favorite for years! The Austin Chronicle’s Arts Editor Robert Faires just gave it a rave review, saying it “spirits you away … [and] leaves you drowsy from its ineffable charms!”
With a cast that delivers “sublime comic performances” each evening, I thought you might like to get to know some of my, The Man in the Chair’s, favorite characters and the talented Austin live theatre artists who play them …
First we have the bride who’s giving up the stage for love: Janet Van De Graaff. Famed star of the 1920’s, Janet, played by Jill Blackwood, doesn’t want to show off no more, despite her abundant talents, and is leaving the stage for love. But before she goes, she gives ZACH audiences a knock-out performance, exhibiting her many talents and a voice that’s oh-so sublime.
Her debonair bridegroom, Robert (played by Matthew Redden), is all atwitter about tying the knot – so nervous, in fact, that he’s ‘an accident waiting to happen’ when he decides to distract himself with a bit of blindfolded rollerskating in the streets of New York! He’s full of podiatric talents, namely a crowd-pleasing tap dancing routine and trying not to put his foot in his mouth when he gets a little too head-over-heels.
Scotty Roberts plays the harried producer Feldzieg, owner of the comedy troupe “Feldzieg’s Follies,” who is more put out than anyone by Janet’s plans to leave the stage. As the producer of the show Janet was meant to star in, he’s gotten mixed up with jovial gangsters posing as pastry chefs (played by Leslie Hethcox and Tyler Wallach) who threaten to bake up a real mean surprise for Feldzieg if Janet’s not the star and the mob cash they financed the show with is sunk with a theatrical flop.
Not to worry: a flaky chorine, Kitty (played by Lara Wright from ZACH’s The Rocky Horror Show), is hot-to-trot to take Janet’s place if she doesn’t end up starring in the show. Always up for an impromptu musical number, she may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but she’s full of killer talents, including reading minds – even her own – what a gal!
Jamie Goodwin is the Latin lothario Aldolpho, a real ladies man, whose bumbling antics get the whole cast worked up. Say his name fast, slow, up-high or down-low, he’ll do anything to prove that no woman can resist his charms. Ravishing as they are, Aldolpho’s got a Don Juan-sized ego that’s no match for the show’s intoxicated enchantress …The Drowsy Chaperone, played by Meredith McCall, is Janet’s chaperone and my very favorite character. 
Snubbing her nose at 1920’s prohibition, she manages to stay tipsy enough to do everything except what she’s supposed to – keep Janet out of trouble the day before her wedding. The Drowsy Chaperone will squeeze every last drop out of a bottle of booze, and poses perhaps many of the show’s most poignant questions. “Why would anyone put olives in a gimlet?” Good question, Drowsy.
Snubbing her nose at 1920’s prohibition, she manages to stay tipsy enough to do everything except what she’s supposed to – keep Janet out of trouble the day before her wedding. The Drowsy Chaperone will squeeze every last drop out of a bottle of booze, and poses perhaps many of the show’s most poignant questions. “Why would anyone put olives in a gimlet?” Good question, Drowsy.Join me at ZACH Theatre to watch hilarity spring to life right in my apartment each night. I can’t wait to see you there!
- The Man in the Chair (Martin Burke)
I have seen the Drowsy Chaperone 9 times bringing new people each time, and will likely go back for more! It is addicting. Or I should say intoxicating! A Perfectly perfect cast and an evening of pure ridiculous fun…you will kick yourself in the keester if you miss it!