Editor's Note: The following article was submitted to San Mateo Patch by Antonia Ehlers. To submit an article for publication, please e-mail laura.dudnick@patch.com.
Fasten your seatbelt: Tri-School Productions students from Serra, Notre Dame and Mercy are preparing for the fast-paced, quick-witted debut of The Drowsy Chaperone on Friday night.
"The Drowsy Chaperone is set in the roaring twenties," noted Tri-School Musical Director Gennine Harrington. "The show features typical characters of the Vaudeville era. The choreography reflects the period with authentic styles of the Charleston and tapping. The costumes illustrate a very glamorous era."
Serra sophomore Matt Gill plays "Man in Chair," the narrator of the show.
"He is the most complex character I've ever played," Gill admitted. "The musical comes to life in his apartment."
"It's a show within a show," explained NDB senior Sarah Smallman, who plays a reporter. "The musical is funny, and there's always something new that's going to happen. It's fantastic and wild - everyone should go and see it."
Mercy freshman Cat Bigelow, who loves the 1920s-style choreography, said that cast members of the upbeat show have enjoyed the camaraderie.
"Becoming involved in Tri-School Productions is a great way to meet new people," she said. "We all share a common interest and it's a great way to bond with your friends."
Music Director Jay Jordan first heard of The Drowsy Chaperone when he was watching the Tony Awards in 2006.
"The number that was performed was 'Show Off,' and it knocked me out," he recounted. "Once I understood the premise - that the actual show was about a modern-day musical theater nut's love of a fictitious 1920s musical, I was hooked."
Jordan was even more excited to hear that the show was fast-tracked for amateur production, and that Woodside Community Theater (run by former Tri-School Technical Director Mark Bowles) was set to stage it in the fall of 2011.
The Woodside production was directed by Serra alumnus and Tri-School Fall Show Director Dan Demers, choreographed by Tri-School Musical Director Gennine Harrington and vocally directed by Notre Dame Music Director Kristin Pfeifer.
"That convinced me that Tri-School had to do the show some day," Jordan noted. "It is, hands down, the funniest musical I have ever seen. It is beyond clever in every way. I know our cast has enjoyed it immensely, and I hope our audiences will as well."
The Drowsy Chaperone performances will be held in the Serra Gellert Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. March 15-16 and March 22 and 23; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 17. Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for students and seniors. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets..
CLICK HERE FOR A SNEAK PEEK OF THE SHOW!
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