theater
that have been sent by the show’s main
investor. The ditsy, addle-minded
Mrs. Tottendale (terrifically played
by Georgia Engel of “The Mary Tyler
So Good You’ll Need A “Chaperone” Moore Show,” “Coach.” and “Everybody
Loves Raymond”) is just happy to have
a wedding going on in her home, even
P L AY R E V I E W BY B E T T Y S T R I C K L E R though she’s never quite sure why she’s
AND SARAH DANIELS dressed up. Fortunately, the ever-loyal
Underling (Edward Hibbert) is there
to remind her, each time. Topping off
the wacky bunch is the martini-toting
Drowsy (Beth Leavel, a Broadway
The Drowsy Chaperone glance that pays homage to the roaring veteran of the original companies of
Music & Lyrics By Lisa Lambert and 20’s, the silver screen, and the magic of “42nd Street” and “Crazy for You”),
Greg Morrison the “fluffy musicals of yesteryear.” the bride’s best friend, confidant,
Book By Bob Martin and Don McKellar “Chaperone” is the lovingly reverent/ and chaperone who shirks her bride-
Directed By Matt Walker irreverent product of its narrator, Man in watching duties in favor of a thoroughly
Chair (Bob Martin), who invites us into entertaining seduction by the hilarious
Reviewer’s Valley Social Rating: his apartment and shares his admiration Aldolpho (Danny Burstein). The fun
Photo by Craig Schwartz
Amazing: A Must See of musicals by playing a well-worn, well- really begins, though, when best man
polished, cherished phonograph record George (Eddie Korbich of “Wicked”)
Ahmanson Theatre of his favorite old musical, “The Drowsy ushers the groom out to the garden
601 W. Temple St., Los Angeles Chaperone.” Bob Martin (who co-wrote on a pair of roller skates, blindfolded
Box Office: (213) 628-2772 the book) opens brilliantly. After the (of course), so he won’t see the bride.
www.TaperAhmanson.com house lighting dims to black, he talks At this statement, the lovers of musicals As they say, hilarity ensues, including an
to the audience in the darkened theater. in the audience nodded and smiled. To old-fashioned ballroom dancing scene on
Tickets: $35 - $90 As Bob skillfully pauses throughout his their surprise, their companions—those roller skates.
soliloquy, listeners are left wondering who would rather have stayed home The singing, dancing, and timing of the
Runs through Saturday, December 24th if the stage lights will ever come on. and filed old bills or mowed the lawn— entire cast is flawless and the costuming
Weds & Thurs at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM When they finally do, every person actually laughed out loud and lovingly is colorfully dazzling. Truly, though, it is
Tuesday & Fridays at 8:00 PM in the audience has been transformed poked the musical buffs who had dragged the mechanics of the ever-changing sets
Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM into his or her own version of Man in them along. Amazingly enough, this (which perform unexpected feats) that
Sundays at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM Chair, listening with rapt attention to a show appeals to both camps: cheesy make the show magical.
fictional tale and staring with wide-eyed enough to be sweet, with enough self- Self-effacing playwright/actor Bob
f you only see one theatrical amazement at a glittering fantasyland. awareness that it never gets cloying. Martin is indispensable to this affectionate
production ever again, be sure As Man in Chair carefully starts his The “Chaperone” unfolding onstage poking of fun at musicals, at himself, and
to see this one! Those who miss record player, “Chaperone” springs to is hilarious, madcap, farcical fun. A at his audience. Hopefully, when they
“The Drowsy Chaperone” before life in his living room. Well-timed freeze famous actress (Sutton Foster, who won move to Broadway, Martin remains the
it hits Broadway will be kicking frames stunt the musical’s action every Tony awards for both “Little Women” star of the show. He is perfect.
themselves as next year’s Tony time the narrator lifts the needle from and “Thoroughly Modern Millie”) plans Even though it’s a thoroughly enjoyable
awards roll around. This charming, the player to offer the audience eager to wed a debonair suitor (Troy Britton evening’s entertainment, be sure to have
tongue-in-cheek, feel-good musical is explanations about the show. Even with Johnson) that she’s just met, and then, your affairs in order before attending this
everything that theater should be. It’s the pauses, he assures the audience that intends to retire from show-biz. Her romp … you may die laughing.
sure to be a big hit. there won’t be any confusion, explaining producer (Lenny Wolpe) is adamant
That said, “The Drowsy Chaperone” is that “Chaperone” has only two- about preventing the union, strictly for Reviewed by Betty Strickler, who is retired
actually kind of hard to describe. It’s a dimensional characters and a well-worn business reasons … as are the Stooge- from just about everything, and Sarah
play within a play: a nostalgic backward plot with flimsy devices. like gangsters (Jason and Garth Kravits) Daniels, who would love to die laughing.
drum and animals. Along the way, he honestly couldn’t tell if they were singers
learns some valuable life lessons and acting or actors singing—a huge plus.
A Great “Little” Show meets some colorful characters.
Make no mistake: This show is pure
This show proves that you can suspend
disbelief (and do it well) without a huge
comedy from the beginning to end, with budget or elaborate sets. (For instance,
P L AY R E V I E W BY C H R I S H L A D the players having as much fun as the the star of Bethlehem was a remote
audience. While there are a few off-color controlled blimp.) The costumes were
jokes, they weren’t anything that kids colorful, and the show did have excellent
would pick up on. (It’s safe to take the lighting, but it wasn’t overdone.
whole family to this production!) I would be extremely remiss if I
Little Drummer Bowie ’ll be honest: I’m not much of a This is not your typical holier-than- did not mention the absolutely stellar
Directed By Matt Walker theatre person, nor am I a holiday thou troupe. (That said, they do playfully background. I’m not talking about a
person. However, I am a David point out that the audience members are set here; I’m talking about the band.
Reviewer’s Valley Social Rating: Bowie fan. So, when I heard that the probably more interested in television David Bowie has made (and continues
Amazing: A Must See Troubador Theatre Company was than the theatre.) It’s not an interactive to make) great music, and this band did
doing a holiday show entitled “Little show, per se. But, there is plenty of his work justice. As the title implies,
Falcon Theatre Drummer Bowie,” I figured that even if banter between the actors and responses the show revolves around David Bowie
4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank the show was bad, the music would be drawn from the audience. Outside of the tunes. The musicians gave a really tight
Box office: (818) 955-8101 good. Then again, what if the musicians scripted play, the performance has some performance, and The Falcon Theatre
www.FalconTheatre.com were horrible and nobody could sing? of the best improvisation I’ve ever seen. provided good acoustics.
Would I be left politely waiting for the The other part of the equation that You could stick to the tried-and-true
Tickets: $25 - $37.50 intermission before running to my car? makes “Little Drummer Bowie” work is “Nutcracker” or settle for renting “It’s
Fortunately for me, the show was perfect, the raw talent on the stage. There was not a Wonderful Life” again this holiday
Runs through Friday, December 23rd both to watch and to listen to. a single member of that cast that wasn’t season, but I strongly suggest you go see
Tuesdays through Fridays at 8:00 PM I won’t give the plot away because I 100% “on” when I saw the production. “Little Drummer Bowie” instead.
Saturdays at 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM strongly suggest that you see it yourself, It was full of dance numbers that were a
Sundays at 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM but the story basically follows a young lot more elaborate than I was expecting. Chris Hlad is a Los Angeles native who
David Bowie (from the Ziggy Stardust Furthermore, the members of the cast freelances and writes fiction. E-mail:
era) as he travels to Jerusalem with his that did the singing were first rate. I Cabo782000@yahoo.com
10 www.TheValleySocial.com December 15th, 2005 - January 11th, 2006