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Do you love musicals?
Do you love a good humored farce?
Do you appreciate talent?
Do you love to laugh?
Then DROWSY CHAPERONE is definitely a MUST-SEE during its run at The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center starring a slew of local favorites including Dawn Michelle (“Is He Dead?” 2018-2019 Best Supporting Actress in a Play) as The Bride, Vincent Perez (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder“) and George Chavez (“The Addams Family“).
Synopsis:
Without giving too much away, the story involves A Man in the Chair (Kevin Ellis) who is a BIG Broadway fan. When he puts on his favorite (fictional) musical album, The Drowsy Chaperone, from 1928, suddenly the show comes to life in his living room.
The musical within the comedy centers around a Broadway star (Dawn Michelle) and Oil Tycoon (Vincent Perez) who’ve come to celebrate their nuptials with aging and confused hostess Mrs. Tottendale (Denise Jaffe, AEA), butler Underling (Mueen Jahan), best man George (Kyle Cooknick), producer Feldzieg (Will Shupe), ditzy flapper Kitty (Mary Zastrow), self-proclaimed Latin lover Adolpho (George Chavez), the Chaperone (MarLee Candell) and a pair of gangsters posing as chefs (Scott Gilbert, Joey Grady).
Hilarity ensues as would be expected from a musical that parodies 1920s musical comedies and theatre in general.
The Amazing Cast:
The cast is Aces! After the fantastic production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder that starred leading man Vincent Perez, I was not sure how Producer Jan Glasband and Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi could outdo themselves. And yet they did an incredible job!
Top props goes to Kevin Ellis who was so convincing in his role as “Man in Chair” that not for one second did it seem like he was reciting lines but that he was successfully breaking the fourth wall and having a conversation with we, the audience. As my dad said, “you never felt like you were watching Ellis act.”
Musically, I was in awe of the amazing work Dawn Michelle and MarLee Candell did with Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison‘s tricky vocal work. Their versions of “As We Stumble Along” and “Bride’s Lament” were just as good as original stars, Tony Award Winner Beth Leavel and Sutton Foster.
After seeing how amazing Vincent Perez was in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder I was truly impressed to see his tap dancing skills showcased during “Cold Feet”. Is there anything this guy can NOT do?
Lastly, a big congratulations to George Chavez who previously wowed as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family. He threatened to steal the show whenever he was on stage. His “Aldolpho” and “A Message from a Nightingale” were moments of sheer comedic delight.
Again I have to acknowledge the ENTIRE cast who did such a fabulous job as a whole!
Need any other reasons why you should come on down to Simi Valley to catch this zany and beautiful cast? How about –
- A live orchestra as Conducted by Cavit Celayir-Monezis
- Great lighting design by Seth Kamenow
- Countless reasons to laugh non stop
I could go on and on about this amazing show but I do not want to ruin many of the magical surprises for you. Take my word and get your tickets today because this is a production you won’t want to miss!!
Location: Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
Prices: $20-28
Dates: Now – 1 September 2019
Tickets: Available Online or at the Box Office
Parking: free parking available in the lot + on the streets nearby
The Joyous Living Rating: A+
Parental Guide: 10+. There is nothing terribly offensive.
Accessibility: Please note that to access the balcony you must be able to climb a full set of stairs. For seats in the main floor you will need to manage a step for Rows G and higher. Main floor seating is wheelchair accessible via a ramp from street level on the East side of the front entrance. A street level ramp makes the box office and main floor seating wheelchair accessible. There is an accessible restroom located on the theater level.
Disclaimer: I had my ticket comped for review purposes but all opinions are my own.
This looks like it would be an absolute blast! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
I love musicals and would be happy to see this live. The plot looks really interesting. I just wish we have more shows available here in the Philippines. It is very rare to watch one especially here in my city.
Let me congratulate too the cast. I hope to watch them in the future.
This looks like so much fun! I love live theater and it’s always a great experience. Nowhere near Simi Valley, but now I have to find this one near us!
what is your favorite theatre show?
I love musicals, and I wish to watch of this. Quite sad that it isn’t that too popular here in Manila. I’ll check this musical, and hope they could have a tour.
Is MISS SAIGON a popular show in Manila considering all the stars who’ve come from the Philippines to star in the show?
Actually, it wasn’t that popular. Many acknowledge that the performers are our locals, but the many locals prefers international musicals and performances.
I love live theatre because I like see authentic expression and being able to hear other audience members reactions. What a great opportunity.
there’s nothing quite like live theatre. it’s so magical.
the introduction of this made me want to watch it, this looks like an interessting musical
yay. i’m so glad to hear you liked it so much.
Nice review. I really love musical on theater plays but it’s been a while since I last seen one. Maybe that’s what it does when your a mom.
hope you get a chance to get to a live theatre production soon, Ryce!
I do love musicals, a good humored farce, talent and yes, I do love to laugh. It already looks hilarious to me. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Viano!!
Thank you for this in-depth review of the Drowsy Chaperone! It sounds like an absolute hoot! Great tip.
Thanks Luci. I’m so glad you found it useful and helpful.
We are always going to the theatre. Also a massive fan of musicals too. May have to check this one out for sure xx
that’s awesome. what are some of your favorite shows?
I have never seen any musical but this one looks interesting i would lobe to watch this one soon.
i hope you find a chance to enjoy a musical soon!
It’s awesome when acting feels authentic. Thank you for sharing your experience and recommendation!
Music & comedy are both my favorite themes. And I would love to laugh away watching this movie. Thanks for bringing it to notice.
It looks like a wonderful performance of the musical. Thanks for giving a little bit of info but not the whole performance as it makes me curious to see it!
I definitely love musicals and with some comedy like attached to it, sounds like a lot of fun.
That looks like such a fun show! I would love to catch one of these times I get out there!
I would definitely enjoy that one. Since I moved to Tampa, I haven’t watched a musical which makes me miss NY
Love musicals and try to get cheap seats living in NYC. Hey! I’m a Millennial & musicals cost $$ lol. I’ve seen one other musical within a comedy and it was interesting to keep track of the plot.
Who doesn’t appreciate talent ? I miss seeing a good musical and this sounds really lovely, what a great cast !
I’ve never been seen the Drowsy Chaperone before, but it looks like such an amazing show! I love the arts, and am always looking for new plays, musicals, and the like to check out.
This looks like so much fun! I would really enjoy seeing it live.. perhaps when it reaches my area. 🙂
I love musicals! I hope to see ARTS’ The Drowsy Chaperone! It looks so fun! I hope to see it soon.
I haven’t been to a musical in so long but I like being whisked away to another time and the entertainment of it all. This one sounds great!
Sounds like a wonderful production – the storyline, the acting, the music – what a complete package! Only wish I lived nearby so I could see it.
I do love musicals and I do love humour as well, this sounds a perfect mix for me, I wonder if this is going to be near me at some stage
I so love musicals even if I haven’t watched a live one it makes me happy hearing the sounds and the story. Wishing I can get some tickets one day and watch it live.
I really do loved musicals but I have never had a chance to watch a live performance. This sounds like a nice and interesting musical show to watch, I just wish them to perform here in our place.
I think this will tickle the the music interest in you and blow out your humor. I think I am going to love this show. Certainly a stress reliever.
I love musicals! We live in the suburbs of Austin, so I drive in to the city to see them whenever I can. This one sounds amazing, I hope we have a run here soon!