THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Tour Thread — Page 3

Well, Mara Davi is not a name by any means so I doubt the show'll stay open because of her. It has been doing progressively worst, I hope it recovers.

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Here is an article from Toronto. It says there will be cast changes if sales don't pick up. Hopefully that will be soon. I was just thinking if Mara was wise, she would have a contract that will allow her to play Janet at least for a whole season. If we do get another Man in Chair, that too can be good for the show. Though no hints as to whom? Troy Britton is very good in his role too. It is kind of a shame not to see more of these other characters in the spotlight. They all have such charming personalities.

www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070629.wdrowsy0630/BNStory/Entertainment/columnists/

But Drowsy's backers, who earned back their initial investment last November, remain confident it will run for a long time in New York. “I'm very bullish on the show,” said McCollum. “Would I love to be doing a million a week? Absolutely. I'm doing six [hundred thousand], 550 – I'm happy. But I'm also seeing a trend that, come fall, as there's less inventory out there, we will pick up a lot.”

Still, filling Martin's shoes is a challenge. “Our show is really about an everyman,” noted McCollum. “Part of the magic of Bob is not knowing who Bob is. You put somebody like Robin Williams in there, it skews it, it becomes Robin Williams playing a record, it's not Man in Chair.

“So we have a tightrope to walk, and we look at it every day. … We're not chasing celebrities, but we are definitely talking to people who really love our show, and we're seeing if there can be an opportunity for them to be in it, if it doesn't change the whole dynamic of the show. … We might have some announcements soon,” he added, “but I can't really say anything at this moment.”

It is just as much of a joy to see Bob Martin's character, Beth, Danny, Kitty, et all in their roles.

I just noticed that Eddie Korbich is now in the Little Mermaid Musical. He autographed my program that night after he was tap dancing with Troy. They did splendid job and I so wanted to get up and tap dance with them.

The troupers joining Bob Martin, Nancy Opel and Georgia Engel in Toronto for the Sept. 19 launch of The Drowsy Chaperone tour have been announced.

The Tony Award-winning musical comedy concerns a reclusive, ardent musical theatre fan named Man in Chair (played by Torontonian Martin, a Tony nominee), who introduces us to his fave show, a 1928 treat called The Drowsy Chaperone. When he plays the scratchy cast album, the musical comes to life around him in his shabby studio apartment. Toronto's Elgin Theatre is the tour's first home, Sept. 19-Oct. 14.

The tour cast will feature Cliff Bemis (Mr. Feldzieg), Broadway Drowsy swing Andrea Chamberlain (as Janet Van De Graaff), former Zazu of The Lion King Robert Dorfman (as Underling), "Mary Tyler Moore Show" legend Georgia Engel (as Mrs. Tottendale), Fran Jaye (as Trix), Irving Berlin's White Christmas veteran Mark Ledbetter (as Robert Martin), Marla Mindelle (as Kitty), Helen Hayes Award nominee James Moye (as Aldolpho), Nancy Opel (as The Drowsy Chaperone), twin brothers Paul Riopelle (as Gangster #1) and Peter Riopelle (as Gangster #2), and Richard Vida (as George).

Rounding out the cast are Kevin Crewell, Taylor Farrell, Tiffany Haas, Alicia Irving, James Patterson, Chuck Rea, Mason Roberts and Jennifer Swiderski.

Martin, who was Tony-nommed for Best Actor in a Musical as Man in Chair, and won Best Book of a Musical (with Don McKellar), will only play the Toronto launch. When the show moves on to Cleveland, Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie will play Man in Chair (as he did briefly on Broadway, after Martin left).
Chamberlain, Moye, Ledbetter Join Drowsy Chaperone Tour; Launch Is Sept. 19

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I haven't seen her as Janet, but I saw Andrea Chamberlain in a review called "Moving Forward, Looking Back" at the Laurie Beechman a couple months ago, and she was hilarious and had great pipes. I'm really excited for her, and I think she'll be terrific.

Does anyone know how long Bob and Georgia will be in it?

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yeah, yeah, he played Gilbert Blythe and he did a fine job but he has a good Theater resume as well. He was very funny in The Dishwashers. You will miss Bob but Jonathan gets the jokes so he will be great. He's in Slings and Arrows 2, which is on DVD now too.

I hope he is performing the whole tour, at least the big Cities but everyone will enjoy his take on the Man. He had everyone laughing when I saw him play the role on Broadway. He'll get right.

Really? I mean that's news to me that 30 something women are the Theaters focus? Humm..better check that advertising again...:) I mean, Mara is cute but not really my type. I honestly would believe it was an older crowd?

In my defense, I just don't want Theater folks to think he is some newbie to the stage and lacks any credible stage credentials. He is Stratford Festival trained, so he did his time earning his place on the stage as well. Of course, check your Playbill. His character in Slings and Arrows is closer to "the Man", so that is why I referenced it. Once the tour takes off, it should do fine.

Who has seen Andrea perform as Janet? I will enjoy finally getting to see Georgia but I liked her understudy, so I couldn't complain. I thought that maybe Jonathan would consider New York, if anything, because of the location but I never knew positively. A lot of fans will be happy he is tackling the Tour. I know I am and you know I will do my part out here to promote the show. I want everyone to just have fun.

Thanks Otis! We get Canadian humor here. I am happy she won over the part. I can't wait to see the show again. No more, "cold feets" over who is playing MIC and with a good Janet, Drowsy, it has it made. I just can't see it suffering the way the show did in London. Someday, they are going to realize what they missed, then they will have to fly out here to catch up!

I didn't mean that mid 30's women were the target demographic for Drowsy specifically. I meant that in general, it is middle-aged women who make the purchasing decisions with regard to theatre. (Although I'm guessing that's not the case in your household )
I second the vote for Andrea. Although not quite as good a singer and dancer as Sutton (but she may be by the time the show gets rolling) her acting is great and I thought she caught some character nuances that Sutton missed.

No, I mean middleaged women buy the theatre tickets and decide which shows their families go to in general - nothing to do with Anne, Drowsy or any particular show. All shows. And I made the observation that things were different in your situation because according to your profile, you're male - apparently now you're not.
And Yes, Andrea will be great as last time I saw her in the role (January I believe) she was very very good - needing only a few more dancing and acrobatic chops which I know she's working on.

Where are you all getting the info that it's going to San Francisco? I keep going to the website but don't see SF listed in the North American Tour.

Check out the last post about the full casting for Drowsy's tour. It mentions SF but if you go to SHN website, they have been advertising it for months now. Go to Mssg Board, look for SF and we have discussed this under the what's new this season for SHN.
I know, it was a late add and we still don't have a date set for the show. I think they are hoping to hold it over in LA. It won't come to SF until around August 08. That's fine, as long as we get to see it without having to speed all the way to LA. Such a boring drive.

If you are driving 90mph, you are driving too slow!

I'm sorry to hear that about Aldolpho? Danny is so good in the role. Him and that skunk upon his head. Do you think he inspired Johnny Depp and Tim Burton for Sweeney's look? It just adds to the fun.

Hopefully Opel is better suited for this role? We will see.

I was thinking about that Aldopho comment. Aldopho can be believable with a younger Actor, considering his target is really Janet not Drowsy. I was thinking the young upstart. It can work either way. His being older makes his attempt more laughable, true. He has that old Movie Star ego.

I am sorry for your friends who didn't get the part. I still laugh whenever I hear that song of his because Aldopho's the way Danny sings it. I hope something better is waiting for them around the bend.

A younger Aldopho just seems like a better lure for Drowsy, an aging star who seems bitter about life and love. A younger guy would boost her ego and reinforce her drive to catch him for herself? I mean, she is, after all, the Chaperone?

It's her duty to keep the Bride on course for her Wedding right? She is only doing her job. Maybe, takes it more seriously, (questionable, debatable definitely), by interfering? After hearing her advice, I thought she would be shoving Aldopho into Janet's face. If only to spare her the misery of Married life but if Aldopho is young and well, stupid, (naive?), than we understand Drowsy's dilemma even more? Act first, plot later?

It can work either way. Does that mean the skunk stripe is gone!?! My Cousin went gray in his twenties, so did my Mum. We don't want to confuse him with Robert Martin.

"Love is always lovely in the end!"