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Marley Soutter, who is playing the upcoming musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone at the Cameo Capitol Theatre, shows off a glamorous 1920s costume. Marley plays the lead Janet Van De Graafff in the very funny Canadian musical, which features a live orchestra, terrific choreography and some of the funniest songs you will hear.
Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Brassy ’20s music, sassy ’20s costumes, jazzy ’20s dancing, – and yet the Northumberland Players musical The Drowsy Chaperone has a real contemporary feel.
Director Jack Boyagian is working with some amazing talent to bring local audiences a musical with some extraordinary background stories both onstage (at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre Feb. 22 through March 3) and off.
The story is sparked by a character simply called Man In Chair, who is sitting at home in his grubby apartment chatting with the audience through a device known as breaking the fourth wall. Man In Chair is enjoying the chance to tell you about his favourite musical. Then when he takes out the soundtrack and puts it on his record player, the musical comes to life right there in the room with him just as he remembers it.
Once in a while, he lifts the needle to tell you more about his favourite parts. At those moments, the performers freeze and wait for the music to resume.
“The choreography is fun – Charleston and flappers and a great tap number,” Boyagian said.
“It’s one of those fun Canadian musicals, and we are kind of proud we are doing a Canadian musical – Come From Away is making such a big splash.
“We wanted to follow up with Sister Act last year with another comedy. I think people are looking for something to help them escape from the February Blues, and it’s that type of show.”
This particular Canadian musical was written in 2006 by Bowmanville resident Bob Martin. It has played on stages around the world and, in New York, took five Tony Awards on Broadway (including Best Book and Best Original Score). Martin is currently back in New York with his new musical Prom, and Boyagian predicts we’ll hear amazing news about that one too.
While that in itself is quite a back story, Boyagian can go one better with the back story of how Martin was inspired to write The Drowsy Chaperone. When he and his wife Janet van de Graaff were getting married, their talented friends put together something very similar as the entertainment for their Jack & Jill party.
“It was so good, he decided to flesh it out and made it into this,” Boyagian said.
In fact, in the musical Man In Chair is imagining, the star is a pampered Broadway starlet named Janet van de Graaff and her fiance Robert Martin. Then there’s the drowsy chaperone, “drowsy” being a euphemism for “tipsy.” Joining them in the musical mayhem are her over-zealous producer, a Latin lover and a couple of gangsters who double as pastry chefs.
Then there’s the back story of Man In Chair. Boyagian didn’t want to give it away, but it comes out over the course of the play through his experiences in life and his family dynamics.
“It’s so new and fresh, and we are trying to bring new and fresh things to Northumerland County,” Boyagian said.
“At the same time, if you like traditional musicals, it definitely has this traditional feel.”
Cast leads include Grant Coward as Man In Chair and Helen Pitt-Matthew as the drowsy chaperone. Playing the engaged couple are real-life spouses Marley and Evan Soutter.
Boyagian also extended kudos to choreographer Alina Adjemian (his own spouse) as well as tap instructor Melissa Thompson-Schultz, who has been working with the dancers for five months.
Marie Anderson is the music director, and Bruce Tonkin conducts a live 12-piece orchestra.
The Capitol is located at 20 Queen St., and there are 8 p.m. shows Feb. 22, 23, 28, and March 1 and 2, with additional 2 p.m. matinees Feb. 23 and 24 and on March 2 and 3. Tickets are $34 ($30 for students), with special rates for groups of 20 or more of $31.
For tickets, call 905-885-1071 or visit http://www.capitoltheatre.com.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
