THE DROWSY CHAPERONE - highly recommending it!
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Play Suggestions
Forum Discription: Need help finding a show that's right for your theater? Ask here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5516
Printed Date: 11/22/24 at 6:45am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE - highly recommending it!
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Subject: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE - highly recommending it!
Date Posted: 11/15/13 at 11:31am
A real crowd-pleaser! Lots of parents said it was their new "favorite show" we have ever done. There are a dozen good leading roles, so it's good for a troupe with "a deep bench" of talent. There is a perky, energetic chorus...of flexible size...that magically pops into The Man's apartment to keep the energy of the show flowing. The part of The Man in Chair is absolutely hilarious. And if you have a Broadway-savvy patronage, they will hoot and holler at his send-ups of musical theatre. The show is not well known, but I think it will take off. Our audiences grew by about 100 patrons each successive night due to lively word of mouth! But if you are considering it, book it sooner rather than later, because a Hollywood version is underway, and they might yank the theatre rights when the movie comes out!Book it. -Dana
-------------
Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School
|
Replies:
Posted By: Legacy Theater
Date Posted: 12/13/13 at 12:09am
Is this a UNIT SET or did you have multiple set changes? Would like to look into doing this one :)
-------------
Erika Hose
President Legacy Theater Company
|
Posted By: mary051756
Date Posted: 2/02/14 at 10:35pm
What are the ages of your cast - I would love to do this show, but I work with kids and they range from 8 to 18 - afraid it is a little too adlt for the little ones
-------------
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” EMERSON
|
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 2/03/14 at 10:14am
Originally posted by Legacy Theater
Is this a UNIT SET or did you have multiple set changes? Would like to look into doing this one :) |
This is a hybrid set...a unit set that converts to a half-dozen fantasy flashback locations through the use of backdrops and/or wing flats.
The huge studio apartment of The Man in Chair needs to be flexible for instantaneous transitions in front of the audience without black-outs.
I used hard legs to form three sets of walls and flew backdrops into each opening. I also chose to fly out the back wall of the apartment to accommodate the 3-dimensional airplane prop. The airplane was 32" deep, so I hung it from my 3rd electric and left two scenery battens empty for additional space. Our 350 lb airplane DID NOT fly an actor like on Broadway, she sneaked in as the plane hit the deck. (I sold the plane and murphy bed, but I can forward you the name of that theatre).
I used five backdrops and other flying hard elements. But if you don't have a fly system, there are creative ways to have hard elements hinge out of the wings, a la vintage Comedia style. (I can provide links to my rented drops.)
I fun show to design. A rousing crowd-pleaser. I recommend going for it!
-Dana
-------------
Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School
|
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 2/03/14 at 10:27am
Originally posted by mary051756
What are the ages of your cast - I would love to do this show, but I work with kids and they range from 8 to 18 - afraid it is a little too adlt for the little ones
|
Our cast was 9th thru 12th grade "Upper School" at a private college-prep school. No problem with content. (Of course, we are not allowed to attempt shows like Rocky Horror, Chorus Line or Chicago due to content).
I think your "middle school" age kids (parents) will be fine with this show because it is so campy, broad and dated. The sexual innuendo is tame when compared to primetime network sitcoms. The character Aldolpho is a latin lover in a bedroom tango scene, but frankly, this character is comparable to Puss-n-Boots in the Shrek cartoons. And the title character is an alcoholic lush, which can be soften with camp.
We did GREASE with middle school kids, and that content and message was much, much worse!!!
I think your 8 to 14 year olds will be fine with the content. But my concern is more with the casting. It's hard to picture kids and tweens playing any of the leading roles. The lead roles are decidedly adult in nature. Maybe they could be the vintage Broadway chorus...dancing cloud girls, etc...
I hope I have been of help. I can provide photos, and maybe even a note from the drama teacher who directed our production.
While audiences were not familiar with the title, they raved about it and attendance grew each night from word of mouth.
Break a leg! -Dana
-------------
Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School
|
Posted By: aquarian4403
Date Posted: 3/28/14 at 1:57pm
|
Do you happen to still have the Drowsy Chaperone Record prop or the Message from A Nightingale record prop? I'm currently directing this show now.
|
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 3/29/14 at 9:28pm
Originally posted by aquarian4403
Do you happen to still have the Drowsy Chaperone Record prop or the Message from A Nightingale record prop? I'm currently directing this show now. |
We rented the record albums from Kernersville Little Theater. They looked terrific...very well made.
Here is a link: http://kltheatre.com/ - http://kltheatre.com/
-------------
Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School
|
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 3/29/14 at 9:41pm
UPDATE:
I sold our AIRPLANE and MURPHY BED from DROWSY CHAPERONE to a college in Tennessee. So you might contact them if you are looking to rent or buy these props. Thanks.
Here is their link:
http://www.mtsu.edu/theatre/CurrentSeason.php%20 - http://www.mtsu.edu/theatre/CurrentSeason.php
-------------
Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School
|
|