BWW Reviews: An Energetic DROWSY CHAPERONE at Theatre Harrisburg

It's a fine show indeed, and one that's loaded with inside jokes for theatre lovers - from the joke about the Morosco being torn down to build a hotel (DROWSY CHAPERONE opened at the Marquis Theatre, the Broadway theatre in the Marriott Marquis hotel... built on the site of the Morosco) to the completely meaningless fourth wall, to Man In Chair walking in and out of the musical's dance routines as he listens to the music on his stereo system.

There's no intermission, as Man In Chair believes they break the mood of a good show, but this is a shorter play than most musicals, so audiences should be fine. The set is beautifully constructed, and the costuming is notable. Mrs. Tottendale sings an ode to her own dress, the audience will sing an ode to the 1920's celebrity aviator wardrobe, and... well, form your own opinion about the monkeys and their wardrobe (and cymbals). Yes, monkeys, because this is a musical that does have everything. Even monkeys with cymbals. Again, Man In Chair will help you with the explanation.

Says Keener, "It's the most fun I've ever had, and it's everything - I sing, I dance, I get thrown in the air!"

Bremer adds, "Trix is great - she's bold, she's brassy, she saves the show."

And Hostetter, the Man In Chair himself, points out, "It's a real theatre lover's show - there are so many musical theatre references." Musical lovers will find themselves counting them.

The show is at Whitaker Center through February 17. Call 717-214-ARTS or visit www.theatreharrisburg.org.

Photo credit: Theatre Harrisburg

America's most uncoordinated childhood ballet and tap student before discovering that her talents were music and writing, Marakay Rogers finally traded in her violin for law school when she realized that she might make more money in law than she did performing with the Potomac Symphony and in orchestra pits around the mid-Atlantic. She has never recovered from being chewed out by Terrence Mann in public for hanging up her bow. A graduate of Wilson College (PA), Marakay is also a writer, film reviewer and interviewer for the Wilkes-Barre (PA) Independent Gazette, science-fiction publications, and other news outlets. She's also taught college-level communications, writing, and English literature classes, has received multiple writing awards, and is listed in Marquis' "Who's Who in America". In her free time, Marakay practices law and often gets it right.

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