Drowsy Chaperone plot question

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Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 11:13am

Hi guys,
I don't know if someone talked about this before, I tried to search it but couldn't find anything.
I have a question about the ending of the Drowsy Chaperone

**Spoiler***

A friend of mine has suggested that the when all the characters suddenly recognize him, and when he go into the plane he actually dies, do you think that was the original message? I saw the show and didn't think of it until it was brought to my attention so I'm just curious

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 11:15am

I had actually thought of that, too, although I have come to the conclusion he was just trying to 'escape'-that listening to his record transports him (literally by the end) to the play itself.

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 11:22am

No, that was absolutely not the original intent. It was just a whimsical ending.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 1:31pm

Yea. . . why would he randomly die? It seemed clear it was, as Kad said, just a whimsical ending.

But it is one of my favorite broadway finales!

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 1:37pm

I have another Drowsy Chaperone question that's always bugged me, so I figured I'd post it here. Who invited Aldolpho to the wedding anyway?

When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 1:41pm

I think the producer invited Aldolpho.

*SPOILER: He wanted him to seduce the bride (Janet) so that her fiance would call off the wedding and she'd come back to show business. (We all know what happens instead.)

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 2:43pm

Well, technically, no, because Feldzeig doesn't come up with the idea for Aldolpho to "seduce the bride" until a bit of the way into the show. I don't think this show (or, at least, the show-within-a-show) relies on logic a lot of the time. It's a part of the comment of how silly old musicals can be at times. Aldolpho is there just because he's there. Or maybe it's because he's at least somewhat famous ("the King of romance") and this is the wedding of Janet Van de Graaf, a celebrity.

"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 2:45pm

Or maybe it's because he's at least somewhat famous ("the King of romance") and this is the wedding of Janet Van de Graaf, a celebrity.

But he doesn't even know who she is! Maybe because he's the King of Romance, it's good luck to have him at your wedding, though.

And what do you mean this show doesn't rely on logic?

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 2:48pm

Ha, very true.

"The Drowsy Chaperone" the 1928 musical sometimes is silly just for the sake of being a satire of musicals of that era. So Aldolpho being at the wedding really needs no justification, and there might not be a logical reason for why he's there. Man in Chair often comments on how ridiculous parts of it are. I didn't mean the show itself is like that. I still might not be making sense...apologies.

"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim

Updated On: 8/30/11 at 02:48 PM

#10

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 9:11pm

He's there so that he can become part of the plot later. A Chekhov's gun. Or a Chekhov's Gunman if you will.

#11

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 9:20pm

If you want to dissect it why not ask why the wedding as at Mrs. Tottendale's? There doesn't seem to be any relation there. And who is the chaperone? Janet's aunt? A dotty lady they picked up off the street?

You can pull apart this show all day but it's not meant to be pulled apart. It's meant to be enjoyed for the silliness that it is.

"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

#12

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 9:22pm

Perfectly said, Eris.

"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim

#13

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 10:12pm

You can pull apart this show all day but it's not meant to be pulled apart. It's meant to be enjoyed for the silliness that it is.

Oh, I know. I was being silly with my question. I have to say that I really miss the show, too. It was so much fun.

#14

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/30/11 at 11:22pm

I spent a lot of the show trying to figure out exactly if and how the chaperone was related to anyone too...

#15

Drowsy Chaperone plot question

Posted: 8/31/11 at 2:54am

Quick, someone call Paulus and Parks...

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