Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department presents "The Drowsy Chaperone"
The Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department is proud to present the Tony Award winning “musical within a comedy,” The Drowsy Chaperone, on Thursday, November 14 and Friday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Studio A48 at Nazareth College.
Winner of five Tony Awards, including "Best Book" and "Best Original Score," The Drowsy Chaperone is a satirical loving send-up of the Jazz Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.
Viewed through the eyes of an eccentric musical theatre fan (the Man in Chair), this “musical within a comedy” pulls the audience down the rabbit hole as the narrator introduces his favorite show, The Drowsy Chaperone, a fictitious musical set in the 1920’s. It’s the night before a big wedding, and nothing is going as planned. Mix in a bumbling best man, a desperate theater producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a Casanova chasing the bride, and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight! As the musical comes to life, the narrator comments on what we see onstage.
“Instead of his world disappearing into the 20's, the 1920’s infiltrate his world,” explains Trey Compton, guest director and choreographer. As the “Man in Chair” wryly comments on the music, story, and actors, he draws attention to major societal difference between the 1920's and today. This production breaks the fourth wall and allows the audience to feel like they are part of the show. Using Nazareth’s intimate Studio A48 blackbox theater for the performance allows this to happen to its full extent.
“I hope it engages a conversation,” said Compton. After directing a couple of main stage productions both off-broadway and on his own, Compton realized he loved small, immersive theater. He is excited to see this show, which is normally on the big stage, come to life in a smaller setting. “I am most excited for the audience reaction. They are the final character in the musical, and debatably the most important one!”
POST-SHOW TALK BACK
The audience is invited to join a post-show talk back. This will take place immediately following the opening show on Thursday November 14 to open a discussion about themes throughout the show. Everyone is invited to attend and take part.
TICKETS
Tickets to see The Drowsy Chaperone are $15, $13 for seniors, and are available online at artscenter.naz.edu, by phone at (585) 389-2170, or in person at the Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14618.
Regular box office hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a m.- 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. until curtain time on performance days.
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
The Drowsy Chaperone cast features: Vinny Capluzzi (Man in Chair), Isabella Bertoni (Drowsy), Demetrio Alomar (Aldolpho), Josie Herlong (Janet), Dereck Atwater (Robert), Nick Deapo (George), Cassidy Halpin (Kitty), Garrison Hunt (Feldzieg, u/s Aldolpho), Ian Patterson (Underling, u/s Man in Chair), Chiara Giampietro (Trottendale), Sara Hayward (Gangster 1, u/s Drowsy), Tre Kanaley (Gangster 2), Michaela Shaffer (Trix), Giovanni Rivera-Litz (Superintendent), Amanda Reyngoudt (Female Ensemble 1, u/s Janet), Shelby Ennis (Female Ensemble 2, u/s Kitty), Nash Johns (Male Ensemble, u/s George & Robert), Abby Hazlett (Female Swing), Samantha Antoniewicz (Female Swing), Sam Melita (Male Swing), Michael King (Male Swing).
The Drowsy Chaperone design team consists of Trey Compton (director/choreographer), Corinne Aquilina (musical director), Cassidy Halpin (associate choreographer/dance captain), Adam Shank (assistant dance captain), Victoria Miller (stage manager), Kara Smith (assistant director), Ann Skinner (assistant technical director),Sophia Foti (assistant stage manager), Catherine Flint (assistant stage manager), Kristopher Wysowski (costume designer), Amara Wilson (props crew), Erin McLean (props crew), Kyra Green (props crew), Hayley Knips (props manager), Darren Valdera (sound board operator), Erynn Hill (light board operator), Samantha Burkovich (master electrician), Victoria Tobin (wardrobe), Krystal Tapia (wardrobe), Erika Gordon (wardrobe), Cameron Perez (deck crew), Piper Orr (deck crew), Nash Johns (properties carpenter), Beibei Ding (A2), Max Borrelli (A2).
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
