The Drowsy Chaperone
at Corona Del Mar

Reviewed on March 29, 2019

Samantha Stokes
Crean Lutheran
Submitted for publication to OC Register

A Blast from the Past at Corona Del Mar's "The Drowsy Chaperone"
written by Samantha Stokes, a sophomore at Crean Lutheran High School

Combining the work of exceptional actors and innovative technical teams, Corona Del Mar's production of "The Drowsy Chaperone" is a dynamic performance that beautifully captures the essence of Golden-Age musicals.

The story is set as the Man in Chair (Tristan Neal) sits down and invites the audience to listen to a record of a 1928 musical named "The Drowsy Chaperone." As the record player begins to spin, the characters from the recording materialize in his dingy apartment and reenact the show, with the Man in Chair offering commentary for the audience.

As the Man in Chair, Neal excellently embodies the role of an over-excitable theatre fanatic with his contagious energy, scurrying about his apartment in an enthusiastic manner.

The leading lady of the "The Drowsy Chaperone," Janet Van de Graaf (Sydney Cohen), a Broadway actress, is the fiance of oil tycoon, Robert Martin (Joshua Flores). As Janet, Cohen exudes exceptional vocal and dance ability, particularly shining during "Show Off" and "Brides Lament."

Fearful of losing his leading lady due to her marriage, Broadway producer Feldzieg (Stephen Weinstock) tries to sabotage Janet's wedding and enlists the help of Latin lover Aldolpho (AJ Plumb). Both Weinstock and Plumb carry themselves with comedic physicality, adding to the satirical components and heightening the exaggerated feel of the show.

Poorly overseeing Janet's whereabouts is her chaperone, the Drowsy Chaperone (Grace Shackelford). Shackelford performs the role with such regalness in her walk and voice that truly emanates the drunken stupor of the character, shining during songs such as "As We Stumble Along."

The costumes (Violette Remington) and the hair and makeup (Jennifer Rosales) are true to the time period style and feel. With the use of color symbolism and period research to attain the proper look, both teams do an excellent job of transforming the Man in Chair's drab apartment into a world of 1920's flair.

The set design (Lucan Stargiotti) is innovative and detail oriented, creating small elements of interest that add to the accuracy of the production. On the shelves and walls of the apartment, there are many references to both past and current Broadway shows, enhancing the Man in Chair's enthusiasm for musical theatre.

Corona Del Mar's "The Drowsy Chaperone" is a riveting, high-energy production that beautifully blends the efforts of an adept cast and skilled technical teams.

Samantha Stokes
Crean Lutheran
Submitted for publication to OC Register

A Blast from the Past at Corona Del Mar's "The Drowsy Chaperone"
written by Samantha Stokes, a sophomore at Crean Lutheran High School

Combining the work of exceptional actors and innovative technical teams, Corona Del Mar's production of "The Drowsy Chaperone" is a dynamic performance that beautifully captures the essence of Golden-Age musicals.

The story is set as the Man in Chair (Tristan Neal) sits down and invites the audience to listen to a record of a 1928 musical named "The Drowsy Chaperone." As the record player begins to spin, the characters from the recording materialize in his dingy apartment and reenact the show, with the Man in Chair offering commentary for the audience.

As the Man in Chair, Neal excellently embodies the role of an over-excitable theatre fanatic with his contagious energy, scurrying about his apartment in an enthusiastic manner.

The leading lady of the "The Drowsy Chaperone," Janet Van de Graaf (Sydney Cohen), a Broadway actress, is the fiance of oil tycoon, Robert Martin (Joshua Flores). As Janet, Cohen exudes exceptional vocal and dance ability, particularly shining during "Show Off" and "Brides Lament."

Fearful of losing his leading lady due to her marriage, Broadway producer Feldzieg (Stephen Weinstock) tries to sabotage Janet's wedding and enlists the help of Latin lover Aldolpho (AJ Plumb). Both Weinstock and Plumb carry themselves with comedic physicality, adding to the satirical components and heightening the exaggerated feel of the show.

Poorly overseeing Janet's whereabouts is her chaperone, the Drowsy Chaperone (Grace Shackelford). Shackelford performs the role with such regalness in her walk and voice that truly emanates the drunken stupor of the character, shining during songs such as "As We Stumble Along."

The costumes (Violette Remington) and the hair and makeup (Jennifer Rosales) are true to the time period style and feel. With the use of color symbolism and period research to attain the proper look, both teams do an excellent job of transforming the Man in Chair's drab apartment into a world of 1920's flair.

The set design (Lucan Stargiotti) is innovative and detail oriented, creating small elements of interest that add to the accuracy of the production. On the shelves and walls of the apartment, there are many references to both past and current Broadway shows, enhancing the Man in Chair's enthusiasm for musical theatre.

Corona Del Mar's "The Drowsy Chaperone" is a riveting, high-energy production that beautifully blends the efforts of an adept cast and skilled technical teams.

Rachel Golkin
Mission Viejo
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Corona del Mar shows off in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone'
written by Rachel Golkin, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

Satirizing the exaggerated tropes and outrageous spectacle of the 1920s, Corona del Mar High School's "The Drowsy Chaperone" explores the power and timelessness of musical comedy.

The audience is taken back to the Golden Age of musical theatre as Man in Chair (Tristan Neal) 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.

Neal bursts with excitement as the endearing narrator, wringing his hands and bouncing in his seat as he prepares to play the record. He gleefully gushes about the show in utter adoration, but the note of heartache in his voice reveals his wish to join the cast in their simple lives of exaggerated humor and impromptu musical numbers.

Sydney Cohen shows off as Janet van de Graff, bringing the glitz and glamor of the stereotypical 1920s actress to life as she strikes a melodramatic pose in "Show Off." Later, in "Bride's Lament," Cohen stares ahead with a melodramatic pout, her silky voice tinged with despair.

A classic jazz-age prima donna, Grace Shackelford clumsily stumbles, bumbles, fumbles, and plumbles across the stage as the Chaperone. Her contagious drunken grin and booming voice command attention in every number.

Brightening the stage with a cheesy smile, Joshua Flores captures all the charm of the self-assured bridegroom Robert Martin. Flores' jazzy voice soars as he taps away wedding day jitters in "Cold Feets," moving perfectly in rhythm to the infectious tune.

The endearing vaudevillian gangsters Sierra Stolliar and Lucas Phillips provoke thunderous laughter as they march onto the stage in perfect unison, their comedic timing uncanny in the delivery of countless pastry puns.

Violette Remington's costumes capture the dazzling style of the roaring twenties. The promising young starlet Kitty (Jaycie Carter) wears a gorgeous honey-colored flapper dress in "Toledo Surprise," its gold sequins glistening and fringe bouncing playfully as she dances center stage.

Ben Lederman's lighting design perfectly encapsulates the delightfully over-the-top nature of the show. Orbs of fuchsia and little amber stars bounce across the stage as Kitty performs her mind-reading act, creating a wonderful spectacle to exaggerate the moment.

CDM reminds us that theatre is timeless; even today the upbeat tunes and happy ending of a classic musical like "The Drowsy Chaperone" can give us hope and lift our spirits when we're feeling blue.

Rachel Golkin
Mission Viejo
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Corona del Mar shows off in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone'
written by Rachel Golkin, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

Satirizing the exaggerated tropes and outrageous spectacle of the 1920s, Corona del Mar High School's "The Drowsy Chaperone" explores the power and timelessness of musical comedy.

The audience is taken back to the Golden Age of musical theatre as Man in Chair (Tristan Neal) 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.

Neal bursts with excitement as the endearing narrator, wringing his hands and bouncing in his seat as he prepares to play the record. He gleefully gushes about the show in utter adoration, but the note of heartache in his voice reveals his wish to join the cast in their simple lives of exaggerated humor and impromptu musical numbers.

Sydney Cohen shows off as Janet van de Graff, bringing the glitz and glamor of the stereotypical 1920s actress to life as she strikes a melodramatic pose in "Show Off." Later, in "Bride's Lament," Cohen stares ahead with a melodramatic pout, her silky voice tinged with despair.

A classic jazz-age prima donna, Grace Shackelford clumsily stumbles, bumbles, fumbles, and plumbles across the stage as the Chaperone. Her contagious drunken grin and booming voice command attention in every number.

Brightening the stage with a cheesy smile, Joshua Flores captures all the charm of the self-assured bridegroom Robert Martin. Flores' jazzy voice soars as he taps away wedding day jitters in "Cold Feets," moving perfectly in rhythm to the infectious tune.

The endearing vaudevillian gangsters Sierra Stolliar and Lucas Phillips provoke thunderous laughter as they march onto the stage in perfect unison, their comedic timing uncanny in the delivery of countless pastry puns.

Violette Remington's costumes capture the dazzling style of the roaring twenties. The promising young starlet Kitty (Jaycie Carter) wears a gorgeous honey-colored flapper dress in "Toledo Surprise," its gold sequins glistening and fringe bouncing playfully as she dances center stage.

Ben Lederman's lighting design perfectly encapsulates the delightfully over-the-top nature of the show. Orbs of fuchsia and little amber stars bounce across the stage as Kitty performs her mind-reading act, creating a wonderful spectacle to exaggerate the moment.

CDM reminds us that theatre is timeless; even today the upbeat tunes and happy ending of a classic musical like "The Drowsy Chaperone" can give us hope and lift our spirits when we're feeling blue.

Andrew Green
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Corona Del Mar High School's "The Drowsy Chaperone" Charms and Delights
written by Andrew Green, a junior at Tesoro High School

The 1920s is regarded by many as the golden age of musical theatre, and nobody holds this opinion more strongly than "the man in chair." A quirky and somewhat troubled individual, he shares his enthusiasm for musicals with the audience, taking them number by number through one of his favorite musicals, "The Drowsy Chaperone." With a cast of flamboyant, memorable characters stumbling through a series of hilarious wedding-related mishaps, it is clear why he adores it so much. Corona Del Mar's "The Drowsy Chaperone" brings the atmosphere of 1920s Broadway to the modern stage, incorporating unique character choices and creative technical elements to make for an unforgettable show.

As the man in chair, Tristan Neal brings a spirit of constant enthusiasm to the stage. Always in character, Neal is captivating and amusing as he eagerly sways along with the musical numbers happening in front of him.

Helping to capture his attention is the multitalented Sydney Cohen, in the role of Janet Van De Graaff, a well-known actress, soon to be married. Cohen maintains the confident air of a celebrity through her consistently upright posture and bold speaking voice when talking to reporters.

With her wedding fast approaching, Janet needs the help of a chaperone. Unfortunately for her, her assistance comes from the titular "drowsy chaperone", drowsy being a euphemism for drunk. Grace Shackelford's portrayal sets the role apart from the rest. By stumbling across the stage and speaking with a laid-back voice, Shackelford crafts a disillusioned persona while still managing to be funny.

The lighting design of Ben Lederman not only set the time period with sepia tones that would fit right in with Broadway shows from the 1920s, it also creates a clear divide between the well-lit apartment of the man in chair, and the dimly-lit musical occuring in his imagination.

Furthermore, the show's set, designed by Lucan Stargiotti is both functional and creative. By decorating the man in chair's apartment with posters and trinkets from various musicals, Stargiotti provides some background on the character, while also making the apartment feel like a real living space, rather than a stage dressing.

With a talented cast, and an inventive crew, Corona Del Mar High School invites modern audiences to come back in time to the golden age of musical theatre with their delightfully funny show, "The Drowsy Chaperone."

Andrew Green
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Corona Del Mar High School's "The Drowsy Chaperone" Charms and Delights
written by Andrew Green, a junior at Tesoro High School

The 1920s is regarded by many as the golden age of musical theatre, and nobody holds this opinion more strongly than "the man in chair." A quirky and somewhat troubled individual, he shares his enthusiasm for musicals with the audience, taking them number by number through one of his favorite musicals, "The Drowsy Chaperone." With a cast of flamboyant, memorable characters stumbling through a series of hilarious wedding-related mishaps, it is clear why he adores it so much. Corona Del Mar's "The Drowsy Chaperone" brings the atmosphere of 1920s Broadway to the modern stage, incorporating unique character choices and creative technical elements to make for an unforgettable show.

As the man in chair, Tristan Neal brings a spirit of constant enthusiasm to the stage. Always in character, Neal is captivating and amusing as he eagerly sways along with the musical numbers happening in front of him.

Helping to capture his attention is the multitalented Sydney Cohen, in the role of Janet Van De Graaff, a well-known actress, soon to be married. Cohen maintains the confident air of a celebrity through her consistently upright posture and bold speaking voice when talking to reporters.

With her wedding fast approaching, Janet needs the help of a chaperone. Unfortunately for her, her assistance comes from the titular "drowsy chaperone", drowsy being a euphemism for drunk. Grace Shackelford's portrayal sets the role apart from the rest. By stumbling across the stage and speaking with a laid-back voice, Shackelford crafts a disillusioned persona while still managing to be funny.

The lighting design of Ben Lederman not only set the time period with sepia tones that would fit right in with Broadway shows from the 1920s, it also creates a clear divide between the well-lit apartment of the man in chair, and the dimly-lit musical occuring in his imagination.

Furthermore, the show's set, designed by Lucan Stargiotti is both functional and creative. By decorating the man in chair's apartment with posters and trinkets from various musicals, Stargiotti provides some background on the character, while also making the apartment feel like a real living space, rather than a stage dressing.

With a talented cast, and an inventive crew, Corona Del Mar High School invites modern audiences to come back in time to the golden age of musical theatre with their delightfully funny show, "The Drowsy Chaperone."