Some remarks on Bob Saget in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 8:13pm

I first saw The Drowsy Chaperone while it was previewing in April, 2006. From the moment the lights dimmed, I could tell that it was something special. A musical for lovers of musicals and theater proper. The original cast was to die for - Sutton Foster completely in her element, Beth Leavel and Danny Burstein finally originating roles, and a lovable unknown from Canada named Bob Martin, who not only starred but wrote the damn thing. The charming production, sort-of a "little show that could" surpassed all expectations and made it's money back in the cavernous theater, garnering numerous awards along the way.

I happily revisited The Drowsy Chaperone this afternoon and found the show to be just as damn good as it was so many months ago. I'm also a sucker for B-list TV stars attempting Broadway, so Bob Saget was the real drawing factor.

Much to my shock, Saget was very good, turning in a completely enjoyable and fresh spin on the role. His Man in Chair is a guy with a brusque, cold front, but, as he listens to his favorite record (that's debatable, for reasons I'll explain), he becomes a creature of both ebullient joy and overwhelming sadness. Saget nails the lines with his trademark sarcastic wit and has stage presence in spades (though he needs to learn to let the audience finish laughing before he continues on).

Yet there's one thing he misses completely, and it ends up being the most interesting part of his performance. What, prey tell? Saget reads the lines, tries his damndest to properly convey the various innuendos, but he's just not gay enough.

But it's a thought-provoking take, one that actually worked very well in giving the character layers. Perhaps his Man in Chair is gay, but still doesn't want to admit it. Perhaps he's preoccupied with trying to stay "straight" while knowing that he isn't and, thereby, tries too hard to fit in "as a gay man."

His Broadway debut is most impressive.

Mara Davi replaced Sutton Foster in the over-the-top role of Janet van de Graaf. Davi, the best part of the Chorus Line revival, can sing (gloriously) and dance (effortlessly), but she's just way too cold. Sutton's Janet projected an air of an every woman who happened to be famous. Davi's is so in love with herself that the audience can't love her, as well.

Gerry Vichi plays Feldzieg as Jimmy Durante, only you can't figure out a word he says. Peter Bartlett is a hoot as Underling, and Linda Gabler (on for JoAnne Worley) tried really hard to be Mrs. Tottendale.

Troy Johnson, Jennifer Smith, Kecia Lewis-Evans, the Kratits' brothers, and Patrick Wetzel are always reliable in their roles.

But the highlights are still Danny Burstein as Aldolpho and Beth Leavel as the Chaperone. Their brilliantly demented chemistry has grown considerably, and they're just, well, I laughed 'til I started choking.

A worthwhile afternoon, indeed.

[pab]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 8:20pm

"Perhaps his Man in Chair is gay, but still doesn't want to admit it. Perhaps he's preoccupied with trying to stay "straight" while knowing that he isn't and, thereby, tries too hard to fit in "as a gay man.""

That's probably why he was once married.

I agree with you assessment of the show. After seeing the original cast I feared that I might be in for let down with all of the replacements and I was also quite worried about Saget in the lead role. I was pleasantly surprised on all counts and once again enjoyed the show.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 8:32pm

I revisited the show last week after having seen it in previews and then once more a few days after opening night. I completely agree with your assessment that the show is still in great shape and well worth seeing. I felt that by Saget playing the character seemingly either actually straight or wanting to appear to be, he made the character even more sympathetic on some levels. I really liked his delivery on a lot of the line, but sadly the audience I was with just didn't get so of the jokes. Especially his sidebar on the title of the duet that Underling and Mrs. Tottendale have towards the end of the show. I'll definitely be making at least more trip back during fall/winter.

[AngActing]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 9:36pm

Yes, saw the show last night, November 2nd . . . I am really impressed with this cast! Loved it! Bob Saget had me at "hello" . . . and when I saw it in summer, with Sutton Foster. The night I saw it, she was low in energy. Her replacement is full of wonderful energy and I loved it!

I just realized, yeah, where was JoAnne Worley? Oh wow, I'll have to go back and see her. I did enjoy the whole cast, though and Beth Leavel is incredible. And hey, I am most prejudiced . . . I bought her "Show Boat" show jacket at the Fleas Market this last one; and had a great conversation with her about the jacket.

I was disappointed she has left before I got to the stage door. But, hey, I'll just go back and see her soon. I had on the jacket, of course, yesterday!

Anyone know why Bob Saget won't allow videotape at the stage door? I found that a strange request as I've never been asked to "not video" at the stage door before.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 9:46pm

I nearly blew milk out my nose laughing at Reidel's comment that Bob Sagat is so straight in the role that some people say the character should be renamed "Man-In-La-Z-Boy."

Updated On: 11/4/07 at 09:46 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 9:54pm

La-Z-Boy.

And funny, I thought Mara Davi was completely charisma-free. Great singer, great dancer, but absolutely charmless.
Updated On: 11/3/07 at 09:54 PM

[courtnyj]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 10:45pm

Thanks for the review. I wish I could see Bob as man-in-chair. Sorry to hear Mara was disappointing.


EDIT: haha...I meant Bob Saget (not Bob Martin) Updated On: 11/4/07 at 10:45 PM

[Rotel1026]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 10:58pm

So now that Saget plays the character so straight, does the line where he says he was married and then makes a comment to the audience about assuming he was gay make any sense now?

[Elphaba]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 10:59pm

thank God, as I am seeing this next Saturday

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 11:18pm

Rotel - I detailed his take on the role, so yes, it does make sense.

Saget's Man in Chair is a self-hating, self-doubting gay man. He wants to be straight, knows he isn't, and that's what depresses him. So what does he do? He tries to act like a gay guy trying (a bit too hard) to be straight.

It's bizarre, it's interesting, and it works.
Updated On: 11/3/07 at 11:18 PM

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:44am

this just made me WAY more excited to see drowsy next Saturday!!!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 8:26am

Oh good.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 8:34am

Yankee, I agree 100% with your assesment of Mara Davi's performance. While I found her singing and dancing to be absolutely thrilling and seemingly effortless, her acting choices left me completely cold.

What I think what she's trying to do is play up the "Jane Roberts playing Janet van de Graaf" aspect of the role (I got the impression that some of her more cheesy and defunct choices had to be deliberate), and while it's an admirable and somewhat brave approach, she fails in the attempt.

Updated On: 11/4/07 at 08:34 AM

[zepka102]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 11:22am

Probably a dumb question here, but I was wondering. Does JoAnne Worley's understudies wear costumes similar to her's or the original costumes that Georgia wore?

I've only seen Georgia in the role (yay for the tour within the next few weeks!) and I was kind of surprised to see the costume change they made for JoAnne. I'm hoping to get down soon to see it again.

[to wherever]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 11:50am

Linda Gabler was on Friday night for Jo Anne and she wore the original costumes that Georgia wore.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 2:30pm

Wicked -

Watching Davi's "Show Off" made me realize how, without someone performing it with a "wink" to the audience, it can easily fail. Sutton's version of the number had a kind of playful self-indulgence. Davi's version went nowhere.

What do you think? Updated On: 11/4/07 at 02:30 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 4:39pm

Yankee, I agree.

Davi, besides looking completely blank in the eyes almost the entire show, took "Show Off" too "seriously" if that makes any sense? I didn't think she looked to be having fun with it at all.

As you pointed out, the song needs to be done with acknowledgement of just how silly it is. I got none of that from her.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 4:41pm

And then she started spinning that farcockta rope and did nothing with it besides jump in.

Though I will give her credit for making cartwheels look easy.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 4:49pm

Glad to hear that Saget was good, since I just bought a ticket to Wednesday's show. Sorry Mara was disappointing.

Linda Gabler (on for JoAnne Worley) tried really hard to be Mrs. Tottendale.

Did it work? (I'm gathering not, but I figured I'd ask anyway.)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 4:52pm

Gabler was just too young. I've always tried to figure out the "deal" with Mrs. Tottendale - is she just dopey? Does she have Alzheimers?

You need an older actress to convey the former, 'cause I'm sure the latter isn't an intended plot point. Gabler, while nailing the spit-take, and 95% of the lines, but she just isn't a dopey, forgetful widow.

Oh, and all the tempos were at a snail's pace, as well. Updated On: 11/4/07 at 04:52 PM

[postergirl]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 6:15pm

"farcockta"? That gave me my laugh of the day.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 6:56pm

The whole show is suppose to be a big joke, so I am disappointed to hear that Mara might be missing that part. Janet's diva act is pretty amusing, especially at the end of the Bride's Lament. Sutton was great. I felt she conveyed perfectly Janet's resolve with just enough of a hint that maybe, she wasn't really through with acting altogether? That was part of the pull me/push me plot of the whole show though to me.

I had little doubts that Bob S. could carry on the role as MIC. Only that he might flub up the humor some if he was afraid to play a real gay man or even just on the more feminine side of the equation. It's such a camp role though. The MIC character is so appealing because he is almost androgynous. His views sway between trying to be masculine, while really coming across as feminine emotional overload to me.

Was Bob S. getting the audience's approval? It seemed that one night that frog went was rather tame? The audience was laughing heartily the night I attended this show.

I don't think Beth leaves by the stagedoor. You should talk to the ushers if you really want to meet her.

I want to see both JoAnne and Bob S play the roles before the show closes. I wish I had until the Spring though to see it. I rather travel then. I am really interested to see how those two characters have changed the shows appearance.

Thanks for the updates and reviews.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 7:05pm

Aside from talking through a few bits of applause, Saget had the audience in the palm of his hand.

I thought the audience demographic was very interesting - half tourists, half Saget fans, who were overjoyed by his mere presence.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 7:10pm

That's great. I look forward to seeing it again.

So do we have Saget's Full House fans on the one side and the Aristocrat fans on the other? Considering some of the jokes, just sitting up in the Mezz watching their reactions or lack of them would be pretty amusing to see.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 7:21pm

I don't think Beth leaves by the stagedoor.

She did when I went.

Why were the tempos slowed down? Just for Linda, or in general?