The Drowsy Chaperone
at St. Margaret's Episcopal

Reviewed on March 17, 2018

NameSchoolPublication/Broadcasts
Mission Viejo
Orange County Register
Capistrano Valley
OC Cappies Facebook
Mission Viejo
OC Cappies Facebook



Rachel Golkin
Mission Viejo

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

St. Margaret's The Drowsy Chaperone is the cat's pajamas
written by Rachel Golkin, a junior at Mission Viejo High School

Poking fun at the exaggerated tropes and dazzling spectacle of the 1920s, St. Margaret's Episcopal's extravagant production of "The Drowsy Chaperone" explores the power and timelessness of musical comedy.

The audience is taken to another world as Man in Chair guides them through his favorite Broadway record, "The Drowsy Chaperone", interrupting the mayhem, commotion, and jubilant musical numbers to sprinkle in hysterical commentary and insight.

Jake Kuljis swells with enthusiasm as Man in Chair, wringing his hands and bouncing in his seat as he prepares to play his favorite Broadway record. Throughout the show, he gets up and performs choreography alongside the actors. The genuine hope in Man in Chair's eyes revealed his wish to join the cast in their simple lives of exaggerated humor and impromptu musical numbers.

Daisy Sellas, the drowsy chaperone herself, masters the concept of playing a famous premadonna playing a role. She clumsily stumbles, bumbles, fumbles, and plumbles across the stage, stealing attention away from the rest of the cast. Her booming voice absolutely fills the room in "As We Stumble Along", while her exaggerated posture seems to take up half the stage, capturing not only the presentational acting style of the twenties, but also the attention-stealing attitude of the diva Beatrice Stockwell.

Anneka Miller shows off as Janet van de Graff, bringing the glitz and glamor of the stereotypical young jazz age actress to life in "Bride's Lament". Miller's eyes fill with melodramatic despair as she mourns her broken engagement, unaware of Kuljis as he sits beside her, mimicking her every move in utter adoration.

The endearingly authentic vaudeville gangsters Thomas Colglazier and Nicholas Jacome provoke thunderous laughter as they march onto the stage in perfect unison, their comedic timing uncanny in the delivery of countless pastry puns and stage slaps.

The classic self-assured bridegroom Robert Martin (Parker Ryan) and frazzled best man George (Jaden Cloobek) tap away wedding day jitters in "Cold Feets", dazzling the crowd with their flawless execution of Katherine Sele's quintessential 1920s choreography. Their feets move in rhythm to the infectious tune, without ever overpowering the music or compromising the duo's energy and singing abilities.

St. Margaret's reminds us that theatre is timeless; even today the upbeat tunes and happy ending of an exaggerated spectacle like "The Drowsy Chaperone" can touch our hearts and lift our spirits when we're feeling blue.


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Garrett Vallejo
Capistrano Valley

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

St. Margaret's shows off in "The Drowsy Chaperone!"
written by Garrett Vallejo, a senior at Capistrano Valley High School

The 1920s have never been quite so roaring! From wedding mishaps to punning pastry chefs and a tap dancing best man, "The Drowsy Chaperone" spins a tale of love, lust, and wild humor. All narrated by a lonely man in his apartment, it hits home how media cheers one up in blue times of feeling isolated.

Jake Kuljis plays Man in Chair, an older gentlemen nervous and finicky, talking excitedly about one of his favorite musicals. Kuljis waves his hands erratically, smiling and dancing along to the music; he uses a high-pitched voice to express his excitement, and gradually becomes more and more energetic as he drinks more throughout the show.

Blake Stevenson runs onto stage as Aldolpho, a loud presence as he shouts many of his lines, turns with his entire body in swing, and commits to hectic movements. His speech is quick, Latin accent clear with tones of sensuality and spice, hips swaying as he seduces The Drowsy Chaperone (Daisy Sellas) in his solo "I Am Aldolpho," singing of his own appeal.

Anneka Miller and Parker Ryan assume the main love interests, playing Janet van de Graaff and Robert Martin respectively. Janet manipulates her voice to seem softer than she is, dainty and pretty, obviously in love with herself but in love with Robert even more. Her vocals are potent, both airy and thrilled, exemplifying her egotistical-yet-charming character in the song, a duet with Robert, "Accident Waiting to Happen." Ryan has a constant grin on his face, beaming of charisma, rollerskating with a blindfold seamlessly as Miller dances dreamily around him.

The choreography of the show comes from Katherine Sele, allowing the actors professional-looking dances to perform. The moves are synced, creating entertaining pictures on stage as people kick their legs and swing their arms. In the number "Cold Feets," Sele choreographs a difficult tap number for the characters George (Jaden Cloobeck) and Robert, giving them the ability to show off their skill and energy. Hair and Make-Up by Zoe Mellard stays realistic to the time period, keeping the women's hair held up and tight in wigs, the men's proper and fixed in place. Man in Chair's hair is combed over, almost wet-looking, adding to his gentle caricature.

The St. Margaret's cast and crew come together as one ensemble, working wonderful magic as they present "The Drowsy Chaperone."

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Devoree Shields
Mission Viejo

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

The Drowsy Chaperone at St. Margaret's deserves a toast
written by Devoree Shields, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

An ode to standard musicals in all their whimsical glory, "The Drowsy Chaperone" at St. Margaret's High School satirically captures the hilarious yet heartfelt realities of musical theatre. Following the fanciful imagination of a man who's simply feeling blue, audiences are exposed to a musical story addressing stereotypes of 20th century Golden Age theatre, producing a rhythmic riot of an evening.

Jake Kuljis directs the story as Man in Chair, tottering and flailing his arms with an endearing nervousness. His utter excitement leads the show. Squirming and tapping with glee to each song, his adoration for the goofy plot is infectious. Kuljis bends at the hip, his aged wrinkled nose and squinting eyes ready for expert analysis. The actor proves versatile, emitting comical drunk drawls and tender final monologues, conjuring a genuinely personal atmosphere that tugs at the heartstrings.

Personifying impulsively lovely romance found only in musical theatre is Janet van de Graaff and Robert Martin. Anneka Miller as the bride leads with an upturned chin, as she shows off record-breaking gymnastic skills to the audience. Her cute, picture-esque smile turns to despair as her wedding plans become lamentable. As the groom, Parker Ryan is dashing, eyes wide with naivety as he poses a swaggering stance in front of the mirror, exemplifying the stereotypical ingenue of 1920's media.

Daisy Sellas chews the scenery with excellence as The Drowsy Chaperone. She stumbles and bumbles with careless movements, her brassy belt complimenting her counterpart, Blake Stevenson. As Aldolpho, Stevenson dominates the stage with boundless melodramatic energy. Each situation is dire, and he moves with vitality. His rich singing voice seems effortless as he throws himself across the stage with admirable professionalism. Twisting his cape and raising his brows, Stevenson makes each moment absurd and brilliant.

The production flows with a chorus of strikingly talented crew members. The running crew manages curtains and set pieces with ease, silently executing transitions timed perfectly with the music. Stage Manager, Madison Mafi, masterfully orchestrates over 200 time sensitive light cues while flawlessly calling each massive scene change.

"The Drowsy Chaperone" at St. Margaret's reminds why we adore theatre without reprimanding it's silliness - to get lost in the story. Although the curtains close, hours spent being sky high in the magic of a production will always be treasured.


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