'The Drowsy Chaperone' Begins Oct. 12 In Woodstock

WOODSTOCK, GA — Elm Street Cultural Arts Village will get a little sleepy Friday, as Oct. 12 will be the opening night of "The Drowsy Chaperone," a loving parody of the musicals of yesteryear.

When a sedentary musical theater aficionado named “Man in Chair” puts on his favorite record, "The Drowsy Chaperone" sparkles to life in his drab apartment with one toe-tapping song and dance number after the other.

“I listen to my favorite musicals when I need to feel better about things,” said Director Andrew Berardi about why the musical-within-a-comedy resonates with him. “I relate so much to Man in Chair because his struggle is a very common one, but his remedy with musicals is in line with my own. It was easy for me to delve into his mind, and I hope audience members see themselves in him as well.”

While the show-within-a-show takes place in 1928 and evokes the classic styles of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and the Gershwins, "The Drowsy Chaperone" made its Broadway debut in 2006 and won five Tony Awards overall, including Best Book of a Musical and Best Score. Berardi is excited for audiences to experience a musical that feels both classic and contemporary.

“In this show you’ll find laughter, tears, great music, energetic dancing, and distinct characters," Berardi added.

The 17-member cast plays a large part in that, working together as an ensemble to make each other shine. In particular, this show will be an Elm Street rarity in the history of the organization: it will be played without an intermission. Drowsy runs less than 90 minutes.

"It was written and originally performed on Broadway in one act, so we look forward to honoring that tradition here," said Siobhan Brumbelow, associate artistic director of Elm Street.

Because of that, the theater and lounge will open one hour before the show rather than the standard 30 minutes prior to curtain. In the style of the Prohibition Era, Elm Street’s lounge will transform into a speakeasy before the show, with a variety of 20-themed mixed drinks (including a non-alcoholic Shirley Temple) as well as live jazz music from local musicians and vocalists.

Elm Street's show runs at the Chambers at City Center Auditorium through Oct. 28, and serves as the perfect outing for couples, families and friends. The Drowsy Chaperone is rated PG-13 for mild innuendo and references to alcohol. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13; Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Oct. 28.

Tickets are on sale now at www.elmstreetarts.org. Prices are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. For more information, call 678.494.4251.

Image via Rachel Williams