Five Reasons to See The Drowsy Chaperone

After the mad whirlwind of opening weekend, I feel compelled to go boldly forth and sing the praises of this production.  (But don't worry, I won't actually sing.)  Instead,  I've put together a helpful list of 5 reasons to go see The Drowsy Chaperone:

#1 - An amazingly talented cast of students.  You may have seen them standing in line at Starbucks, at the grocery store, or even on other San Diego theatre stages.  So come, meet them.  Because beyond thier talent, they're really wonderful people.

#2 - Incredible spectacle.  Fabulous costumes, a brilliant set design, and beautiful lighting by SDSU students and alumni.  And let's not forget the stunning orchestra.

#3 - It's an inexpensive way to see a Broadway show.  Part of the vibrant San Diego theatre scene can be found right here on the campus of SDSU, where you can see a show for less than half of what it would cost at most other local theaters.  And who doesn't like to save money?

#4 - It's a show with something for everyone.  You don't need to like musicals to enjoy this show.  It's funny.  Period.

#5 - It's a moment to relax and have fun.  Escapism.  Come find that moment when you discover that you're having a great time and have forgotten about the paper that you have to write, the pressing deadline at work, or whatever stress you have in your life right now.

So there you have it.  Five excellent reasons.  But, if after all these reasons, you're still not quite convinced, then check out this review by The Times of San Diego:

http://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2016/03/07/the-funny-and-fabulous-drowsy-chaperone-at-sdsu/

Bottom-line: This show is a Must-See!

But hurry; there are only 4 more performances.  Buy your tickets online (see the "Get Tickets" tab above) or at the Don Powell box office.  And please, bring some spare change to donate to the American Cancer Society after the show.

The Gift of Music: the Vince Meades Collection

It all started with a box of movie sheet music at a garage sale.  Coupled with a childhood love of movies and the desire to start a collection that that would one day be a gift that would benefit scholars and researchers, and you have the origins of the Vince Meades Popular American Sheet Music Collection.

Mr. Meades

Donated to San Diego State University’s Library in 1998 by Mr. Meades, the Vince Meades Collection has grown to include over 250,000 pieces of sheet music, 15,000 long-playing vinyl records, and 990 books on the entertainment industry.  All genres and themes are represented within the collection, with the sheet music portion of the collection dating back to the end of the Civil War.  While popular music from movies is the strongest category within the collection, it also includes music from television and radio, as well as music from Broadway musicals.

 

Not only is the collection a valuable resource for researching the history and development of American musical theatre and 20^th century musical films; it also serves as a record of American history.  In addition to providing a reflection of common emotions, values, and experiences through popular song lyrics, the sheet music also features cover artwork that is illustrative of its respective time period.

The Vince Meades Popular American Sheet Music Collection offers a sampling of the work created during the Roaring Twenties by many legendary writers and artists – which includes numerous beloved jazz and musical theatre standards.  Currently, a portion of this collection is displayed in the 24/7 exhibit case to focus on Broadway’s busiest decade and the legacy of late 1920s musicals.

Collaborating with Special Collections and Arts Alive, the School of Theatre, Television, and Film and the entire production team of The Drowsy Chaperone are thrilled to highlight this important collection!

For more about our collaboration, visit:

http://library.sdsu.edu/scua/new-notable/legacy-late-1920s-broadway-musicals

Meet our Cast: Erin Vanderhyde

… in the role of Trix…

Hi Erin!  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.  Tell us about past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area projects that we might know you from.

I was in Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights last semester! The following two weekends after Drowsy closes I am in a fundraiser showcase called "We Are Young" which raises money for scholarships for theatre performance emphasis students to study abroad at SDSU. Come join us at either the Diversionary Theatre in North Park, March 18-20^th, or in SDSU’s Experimental Theatre, March 25-27. 

So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?

I was originally a music major. However I have always loved musical theatre. When I was in 3rd grade my brother came home with information on auditions for "The King and I". Ever since then I've been interested in musical theatre. Officially, last semester I joined the theatre department at SDSU, after spending many years in the music department at Grossmont College and SDSU. Although I have spent a lot of time studying classical (which I've never been too good at) I'm so excited to submerge myself into the world of musical theatre. 

What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?

I love most of the humor. This is the type of musical that is for everyone. Even though I've sat and watched the show multiple times I still laugh!

What are some unique challenges of your role?

Trix has to come in on an airplane! Which is super cool. However, getting a plane on stage is a unique challenge. I believe the audience is going to love how the set designer faced this challenge.

What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see the show?

I would want the audience to open themselves up to this musical that might be a little bit different from the norm. Pay attention to The Man in the Chair who is the realest person in the show! I feel like a lot of people can relate to him.

Meet our Cast: Dallas Perry

… in the role of George…

Hi Dallas! Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us. Tell us about past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area projects that we might know you from.

This past semester, I played Jack in Into the Woods.  I also played the Brick's Pig/Dance Ensemble in Moonlight Amphitheater's Shrek: The Musical!

So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?

When I was in kindergarten, I went on a field trip to see my first musical production ever, Peter Pan with Christian Youth Theater. This production inspired me to later join the same theater company, CYT, at ten years old. I haven’t stopped since! 

What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?

The Drowsy Chaperone is all about fun! There isn’t a dull moment in this show with the incredible music, sets, costumes, and characters! There are always surprises around every corner, and the bigger theme and storyline with the Man in Chair will surely touch the hearts of every audience member. 

What are some unique challenges of your role?

For me, it is a challenge to act as mature and old as my character is supposed to be. I usually play younger and more naive roles, so it is an awesome challenge to be able to experiment with a role that stretches my acting ability, as well as grow in my tap dancing ability! 

What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see the show?

When the audience has in mind to see The Drowsy Chaperone, I would say to keep an open mind, and let yourself delve into the delicious world of this show. I would want them to pay keen attention to the character growth of the Man in Chair, as well as the unique "show-within-a-show” style. It is also important to note that each character within the inner production is an actor from the twenties, and to examine how the actors relate to their fellow actors on the Broadway stage. 

Meet our Cast: Jacob Sloan

… in the Ensemble and the role of the Superintendent…

Hi Jacob!  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.  Tell us about past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area projects that we might know you from.

My past SDSU productions include Les mis, Les mis, and Les mis. Around the area, I have performed as Jack in a production of Into the Woods with the 413 project. 

So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?

I'm in musical theatre because my sole purpose in life is to entertain people. My talents include singing and acting, so musical theatre is the right choice for me.

What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?

One thing I love about Drowsy is Randall. 

What are some unique challenges of your role?

My role of the superintendent is challenging because I'm basically the person who takes people deeper into the magic of the show. While the audience is into the story of The Drowsy Chaperone, I come in to remind them that the Man in the Chair has a story as well. 

What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see the show?

Before you come see the show, just know that even though it's Prohibition you can still be drowsy!

Meet our Cast: Megan Mattix

… in the Ensemble…

Hi Megan!  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.  Tell us about past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area projects that we might know you from.

I am a transfer student from Grossmont College. While I was there I played Snoopy in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Cinderella in Cinderella: a New Pop Musical, Hyacinth in Scapin, Rachel in To Jillian on her 37th Birthday, and Constance in The Three Musketeers. This is my second semester here and my first SDSU show. As far as showcases I've only been involved in the Musical Theater performance class taught by Stephen Brotebeck and Rob Meffe.

So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?

I always enjoyed singing and dancing. I used to be in competition cheerleading, so the thrill of being on stage was something that I lived for. Also, I attended a small high school, so the opportunities for being involved were much greater. I took a leap and auditioned for my first musical during freshman year of high school and I have been hooked ever since!

What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?

The design elements are my favorite. I love what they did with the set, costumes, and lighting. The colors are so vibrant and the costumes have so much pizzazz! There is something about the glamour of the 1920s that just oozes excitement. 

What are some unique challenges of your role?

Having to create a backstory for myself even though I have no lines. It is important to have an opinion of what my character (ensemble) thinks and feels about the chaos around them even when they are just quietly observing. 

What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see the show?

Be prepared to laugh till your stomach hurts!

Meet our Cast: Courtney Kattengall

… in the role of the Drowsy Chaperone…

Hi Courtney!  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.  Tell us about past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area projects that we might know you from.

As a MFA Musical Theatre candidate, I performed the Witch in Into the Woods, Pippi in The Great American Trailer Park Musical and Eponine in Les Mis - concert.

So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?

I enjoyed the sense of community I received from my new friends in drama club. I always enjoyed singing, acting, and dancing and felt comfortable doing so with others that enjoyed it as much as me.

What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?

It's so funny. There's a joke on every page and the characters are so loveable.

What are some unique challenges of your role?

The most challenging part is playing an actress playing the Drowsy Chaperone. Beatrice Stockwell, the actress playing Drowsy's name, was a force to be reckoned with. She was a true diva. It's finding moments within the show within the show to let glimmers of Beatrice out.

What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see the show?

It's a show for everybody! You don't have to know musical theatre to love and laugh at this show.

Meet our Cast: Max Renner

… in the role of Feldzieg…

Hi Max!  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.  Tell us about past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area projects that we might know you from.

I co-run a sketch comedy group titled "Party of Dos Comedy Crew". We're San Diego States premiere sketch team, and we have a short film set to air at the Cannes International Film Festival this May.

So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?

My parents got me into musicals. I didn't have much of a choice. My father was a musical man, and his father before him. I wanted to be a doctor.

What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?

What I love most about Drowsy, is the cast. I love the my fellow actors. Like, literally. I love them, and I want to marry them, but it's been tough to plan a wedding with the large amount of time we've put into show.

What are some unique challenges of your role?

Unique Challenges: There are a couple scenes in the musical where I slap myself on the face out of frustration. During tech week, we had to do those scenes multiple times. Stephen said I could take it easy, but I pull no punches when it comes to performing. If anything, I ramped up the slap, and turned it into a real knuckle sandwich. My face was covered in bruises, and I had to use a lot of makeup to disguise the swelling.

What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see the show?

The audience members should know that Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole. Although musical theatre overlaps with other theatrical forms like opera and dance, it may be distinguished by the equal importance given to the music as compared with the dialogue, movement and other elements. Since the early 20th century, musical theatre stage works have generally been called, simply, musicals [Courtesy of Wikipedia! 😉].

Meet our Cast: Bradley J. Behrmann

… in the role of Underling…

Hi Bradley!  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.  Tell us about past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area projects that we might know you from.

Here at SDSU, you might recognize me as the Narrator/Mysterious Man from Into the Woods.  You probably won't recognize me as Duke from The Great American Trailer Park Musical because I was wearing such an awful/perfect mullet.  I was also in San Diego Musical Theatre's production of Singin' in the Rain last June.   

So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?

I always loved to sing, but being in a musical seemed intimidating when I was a kid.  It seemed elusive.  "I could never do that," I used to think.  But eventually I auditioned for my high school's production of South Pacific my freshman year.  The bug had bit.  

   

What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?

I love the heart of this show.  I love that Man in Chair is our guide throughout the evening.  So not only does he give us a little primer about musical comedies of the 1920s, but he eventually provides us with the moral.  

What are some unique challenges of your role?

I'm playing Underling alongside Julia Cuppy's Tottendale.  She spits on me excessively.  I just need to keep a straight face and take it.  

What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see the show?

You really could know nothing about musicals, and this show will "take care of you."  But if you know even the slightest inkling about vaudeville or early musical theatre history, the show will be hilarious for you.

Visit my blog for musical theatre musings, reviews of new musicals, and fun stories from academic life is 7HalfCents.com

My website is bradleyj.co

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/mrbehrmann

Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bradleyjbehrmann/

Meet our Cast: Sean Boyd

… in the Ensemble…

Hi Sean!  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.  Tell us about past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area projects that we might know you from.

I was the Steward in SDSU’s production of Into the Woods and Etienne in On The Eve.

So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?

I saw an awesome production of Footloose and West Side Story, and thought "this is the coolest!" I started acting after that, and musical theatre had more opportunities here in San Diego.

What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?

I love how much fun it is! And how the point seems to be about having fun in the theatre

What are some unique challenges of your role?

I never really considered myself a dancer -- so, making it seem like I know what I'm doing has been a struggle. A fun struggle, but a struggle nonetheless.

What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see the show?

Be ready to have lots of fun!

Meet our Cast: Julia Cuppy

… in the role of Mrs. Tottendale…

Hi Julia!  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.  Tell us about past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area projects that we might know you from.

As a MFA Musical Theatre candidate, I had the pleasure of performing in Into the Woods as the Baker's Wife, Betty in The Great American Trailer Park Musical and Madame Thernardier in Les Mis - concert. I look forward to doing more San Diego projects after graduation. 

So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?

Well, I committed to a life as a theatre artist when I started my undergraduate training. I have always believed the saying that if you love what you do you will never have to work a day in your life. This saying inspired me to create a life for myself doing what I love. For me, that was a life of performing/directing and teaching. I was a high school Theatre and English teacher for nine years before attending SDSU and then I continued to teach Acting until this semester. I have been a performer/director in my hometown in Southern Oregon throughout that time as well. I feel very blessed to live a life filled with rewarding work and creative people. 

What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?

I love that it is a valentine to musicals. As a MFA Musical Theatre class, we have labeled ourselves musical theatre nerds due to our passion for all things musical theatre. I love that this show centers around one of the biggest musical theatre nerds - The Man in Chair. This show really captures the nerdiness that we all are proud of in ourselves. 

What are some unique challenges of your role?

I play the role of Mrs. Tottendale or also known as Ukulele Lil. As the show unfolds, the Man in Chair explains a little bit about the real life stories of the people playing the parts in the musical within a musical titled The Drowsy Chaperone. The most difficult element of this meta musical concept is knowing when the real actor is on stage and when the character is on stage.  

What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see the show?

They should know that we have had a lot of fun rehearsing this show and we hope that they have a lot of fun watching it.