Drowsy Chaperone SPOILERS thread... — Page 3

Katherine2 --- Thanks so much for sharing your comments and thoughts... and your perspective from seeing a previous Canadian production. I can possibly help clarify or enlighten you on a couple of things you pointed out...

While the "Man in the Chair" does stop the action early on (in the L.A. production) to talk about what happened to the actor playing "Robert," he doesn't kiss him on the cheek here. He tells us a story about an ancient Robert being wheeled out to celebrate his own birthday, and not knowing where he was or who he was. It was very funny. However, Man in Chair is clearly infatuated with this actor throughout the show, and often stares at him longingly, then catches himself "in the act" and tries to play it off. At the very end of the show, when he is welcomed into the "cast," he throws his arms around "Robert" and clings to him. It's funny, a little surprising, and an incredibly sweet moment. I was pretty teary during this whole finale segment. It's very emotional (at least it was to me).

NOTE: I'm really glad they don't call him "Creepy Man" anymore. First of all, he's not really creepy here. He's an eccentric, sweet, mild-mannered, sometimes bitchy misfit... who above all else is charming and funny. To call him "Creepy Man" would be off-putting as well as a little insulting to anyone who can identify with him and his passions (myself included).

Regarding the "non-singing, non-dancing" potential winner of a Tony for Best Actor in a Musical... I'm glad the Man In The Chair doesn't sing and dance. It makes him more of an "every man" for all of us. He is the gateway to all things musical. For the show happening on stage, he is the audience observing (in his mind). And audiences don't sing and dance while watching a musical show (unless it's Rocky Horror and you're stuck doing the Time Warp again).

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The latest rumor is that Drowsy Chaperone will be coming to the Music Box in the spring...YEAH!

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That would be AWESOME! Now..let's all pool our money and become backers and ensure it makes it to NYC!

That's music to my ears!

Katherine2 --- You'll have to go see it when it hits New York! I would love to hear your first-hand account of the differences from the beginning to the Broadway production. Aside from the cast being overhauled since you saw it, I can tell you the sets and costumes are first rate. A little cheesy at times, as befitting a '20s musical of the era, but dazzling, extravagant and clever. The Act II (faux) opener, is very lavish.

But honestly, it's ready to go now. All they have to do is move everything "as is" into the Music Box Theatre and raise the curtain.

As they said in Field of Dreams, "The people will come."

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Best man for the job was actually my least favorite song, so I'm glad they cut it.

I think my favorite moment that totally took me by surprise, and which I was dumbfounded over until the punchline was the hysterical faux act two. All that red! And when he stopped the record, explaining what happened, I just died laughing watching the actors slump and then walk offstage. And Rudolfo doing his "Whuuuut?" as a Chinese emperor. Oh my god.

I would be interested in hearing about any changes between LA and Broadway.

Thanks

RE: "My once-a-month cleaning woman always touches my things, and I say, 'No, no, Sandra, no touch los records.' Of course, she might not touch them if I spoke to her in a real language."

That was exactly what was said at the L.A. show -- was that line changed?

Now he says, "No touch the records, Carmella. (Pause.) I suppose she wouldn't touch them if I talked to her in complete sentences."

It got a HUGE laugh, BTW.

I feel bad that people haven't been gushing about Beth Leavel (yet). I thought she was pure genius. (Then again, so is EVERYBODY in this show!)

As everyone has already expressed, this show is a phenomenon. I ordered tickets for April and May as soon as I got back to my hotel room last night!

Some favorite lines for me (of course, I don't know if they were in the LA production) were MIC's comment about Robert Martin's 100th birthday and his staring at the cake thinking "Why the HELL is this cake on fire???" (Oh, and the "quotation mark gesture" he makes when he mentions that Robert Martin "celebrated" his 100th birthday.)

I found it hilarious when The Drowsy Chaperone announces she and Aldolpho are to be married and he "close talks" to Janet, "Help me!" (Oh, and remember when MIC says about the actor playing Aldolpho, "In the next scene, try not to think about the poodles."???)

My husband still keeps mentioning the "juice box."

I want to add that I was in the 5th row, center orchestra and had a really perfect view of the curtain call. When everyone gave Bob Martin a standing ovation, I can tell you that he had the most appreciative and positively "thrilled" look on his face. It was clear that he was just so taken with the response New York gave him after the first preview. I was so happy for him (and still am).

On a related note...I must have some sort of weird affliction (perhaps it already has a "psychological" label): I think "spit takes" are outrageously funny. My response is somewhat abnormal, I fear. It's a really stupid gag, but I love it because you KNOW what's going to happen--and that it's going to happen again and again and again--but it gets me every time. I suppose some people feel that way about the "pie in the face" (which I never really found all that funny, myself. The spit gag, however, allows you to see the "victim's" reaction...plus he keeps "asking" for it!)

Best12, I think your "sappy" (your word, not mine) response to this show is so sweet! I don't know how anyone could NOT be won over by Bob Martin in this role. Cry all you want! I support all sobbers and want you to know "you are not alone"!

EDIT: SORRY this post is so long.

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Updated On: 4/5/06 at 11:46 PM

I wonder how many people have gotten drowsy seeing this show?