Devised by Don McKellar, The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical within a comedy, and a side-splitting homage to 1920s musical theater.
A seated man asks the audience to "escape" with him as he puts on his favorite LP - 'The Drowsy Chaperone'. Suddenly, the musical comes to life around him in a riot of high-kicking songs, elaborate costumes and old-fashioned mix-ups.
Will Robert and Janet overcome their wedding-day jitters? We're not sure, because "Man in Chair" knows the story far too well, and punctuates the action with his own unique commentary. As he ponders marriage and munches power bars, has a little too much brandy made him "drowsy"?
The Drowsy Chaperone is a hilarious meditation on the nature of stagecraft, and the perfect evening for any keen theatergoer.
The Drowsy Chaperone was originally created as a bachelor party gift. The show moved to Broadway in 2006 and has to date won a host of plaudits, including Tony Awards for Best Book, Best Original Score and Best Costume Design.