Drowsy Chaperone Premier
Drowsy Chaperone Premier
FrancisGumm
Broadway Star Joined: 2/8/04
#0Drowsy Chaperone Premier
Posted: 11/19/05 at 12:11am
I'm suprised there is no news yet on this aside from a playbill.com article. anyone? bueller? will there be photo coverage from la based broadwayworld photographes? or anyoen for that matter?
#1re: Drowsy Chaperone Premier
Posted: 11/19/05 at 11:12amI don't know how Opening Night went but I saw the final preview on Thursday and the show is in fabulous shape. The audience never stopped laughing. Sutton, her wrist in a cast, did one-handed cartwheels!! and sang up a storm. Beth Leavell was hysterical as the dipsomaniacal chaperone and Eddie Korbich stole every scene he was in. But the entire cast was pitch-perfect. Bob Martin, the Man in Chair, got a well-deserved standing O when he took his bow. A great night at the theater.
FrancisGumm
Broadway Star Joined: 2/8/04
#2re: Drowsy Chaperone Premier
Posted: 11/19/05 at 11:50amYAY thanks! im excited! is her cast big or what? it seems like it would be a kodak moment-her w/the one handed cartwheel
FrancisGumm
Broadway Star Joined: 2/8/04
#3re: Drowsy Chaperone Premier
Posted: 11/19/05 at 11:50amYAY thanks! im excited! is her cast big or what? it seems like it would be a kodak moment-her w/the one handed cartwheel
#4re: Drowsy Chaperone Premier
Posted: 11/19/05 at 12:57pmIn fact she does about four one-handed cartwheels in the course of the number, appropriately called "Showoff". The wrist cast is small but clearly noticable through her many costume changes.
nomdeplume
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/05
#6re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 1:08pmShe looks absolutely amazing. I just adore her. People who have seen it all seem to agree, the part screams for a (nother) tony.
#7re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:10pm
As great as Sutton is, it's more of an ensemble piece than we're used to seeing her in. The show is NOT built around her character so, in fact, everyone gets a chance to shine. If a Tony emerges from this show - assuming it's Broadway bound - it will be for a featured player or for Bob Martin, the Man in Chair.
And, yes, Danny Burstein is hilarious as the Latin Lover.
JoMarch
Featured Actor Joined: 9/22/04
#8re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 4:25pmAm I the only one who sees an eerie similarity between Sutton and a young Mary Tyler Moore? It's almost creepy how much they look alike!
Huey's Pop
Featured Actor Joined: 4/19/05
#10re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 8:15pm
I just saw the November 19 matinee of Drowsy Chaperone.
WOW! Wonderful show -- great cast, music. Funny funny stuff. Should do very well on Broadway. Sutton Foster's big number is amazing. The cast on her arm didn't seem to stop her at all.
Highly recommended.
#11re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 8:23pm
Huey's Pop---I was there today at the matinee as well. One of the most brilliant and imaginative shows I've seen in years. All the advance "raves" you've heard are true.
WARNING: Don't let anyone tell you much about it. This show is for everyone who ever loved a Broadway musical... so basically that's all of you reading this. To say more would be to ruin an extraordinary and deeply personal theatrical experience.
Details? Sure I can give them to you, but I would be doing you a great disservice. Everyone in the cast is fantastic, and there will be critical praise, many Tony nominations, and a shelf-full of awards. To tell you more would be to spoil some of the many innovations and surprises.
Run, don't walk to this one. And if you can't see it in L.A., try your best not to read too much about it in advance.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
where's my shoe?
Understudy Joined: 9/3/05
#12re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 8:32pmMy mom and I both commented on Sutton's resemblance to Mary Tyler Moore at the showlast week. In fact, I noticed the resemlance in Millie.
#13re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 8:42pmIs this definitely coming to Broadway?
#14re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 8:47pm
little_sally---This entire production could be lifted in tact and placed on a Broadway stage right now "as is" and start a major stampede.
I looked all through my program to see if there was any mention of it being "pre-Broadway" and I couldn't find it.
All I know is that if I had a few extra million in my pocket, I would invest in a sure-fire, guaranteed hit. If they need any financial boosts or momentum to get to New York, I guarantee you they will find it with this production in L.A.
The word-of-mouth on this is going to be HUGE.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#15re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 9:09pm
The Ahmanson website desribes the show as "From the Ahmanson to Broadway. A new and completely original musical!"
The Drowsy Chaperone
Updated On: 11/19/05 at 09:09 PM
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#16re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 9:11pm
Here's s great website on the show. You can even view the commercial.
The Drowsy Chaperone
Updated On: 11/19/05 at 09:11 PM
#17re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 9:12pm
morosco---Thanks for that! To have this show not reach Broadway would be a crime against all lovers of musical theatre.
(God, that sounded bombastic, but after you see it... you'll know exactly why I said that.)
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
nomdeplume
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/05
#19re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 9:38pm
It definitely does... it manages to be an old-fashioned toe-tapper and extremely innovative at the same time. God, I wish I could give you more details...
...but I wouldn't respect myself in the morning.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#20re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 9:42pmI notice that no one comments on the score. It's fun and servicable and keeps the laughs coming but the score isn't what makes this show work. This is one you're going to have to see to appreciate - the OBC album, if there is one, is not going to do this show justice.
#21re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 10:05pm
mallardo---it's more than just fun and serviceable. But you're absolutely right that the music & lyrics are completely overshadowed by the show's innovative concept. As it should be (again, once you see this musical, you'll know why I say that).
Taken on its own merits, it sounds like a melodious, tuneful hit show from 1928. But if you think it's a snap to write one of those believably, I disagree.
That said... AFTER seeing the show, this OBCR will have a significant meaning all its own for you. (Again, you'll get that after you see the show. Okay, I'm repeating myself a lot.)
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#22re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 10:23pmbest12bars, I didn't mean to denigrate the score. I agree with you on almost everything you've said. AFTER you've seen the show, it'll be a great CD - if you haven't seen it... let's say it will not have its proper impact because for THIS show, context is everything.
nomdeplume
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/05
#23re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 10:45pmThe same could be said of The Light in the Piazza score.
Huey's Pop
Featured Actor Joined: 4/19/05
#24re: Drowsy Chaperone Premiere
Posted: 11/19/05 at 11:31pm
I identified with The Man in the Chair. I've been listening to broadway shows for 45+ years and am very passionate about them.
Brilliant show!
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