By: Dorothy Hazan '16
Despite its name, Union’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone will make you anything but drowsy. The uproariously funny musical bursts to life on the stage at Yulman Theater’s Actor’s Studio, with lively pieces and hilarious comedy performed by a cast and orchestra made up entirely of Union students.
The large cast includes Lucas Rivers ‘15, Rachel Refkin ’15, Sarang Sharma ’15, Connor Barrett ’14, Michael Warrener ’16, Dan Pallies ’15, Alexandra Weisse ’13, Macaire Grobe ’16, Megan Reynolds ’16, Adam Weisse ’15, Emily Myers ’16, Lizzy Magas ’15, Katelyn Billings ’16, Emily Stangle ’16, Shannon Windle-Puente ’16 and Mary Locke ’16.
Directed by Lucas Rivers ’15 with musical director Matthew Anisfeld ’15 and choreographer Jasmine Roth ‘14, The Drowsy Chaperone is the first musical put on by the College in at least 25 years.
“This is my favorite musical of all time,” said Rivers. “I was a lead my senior year in this show, and knew that the humor, glamour, and over all fun of this musical needed to be re-created on this campus. This show is simply hilarious and enjoyable.”
The play tells the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up show business to get married, her producer who sets out to sabotage the nuptials, her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin sex machine, and a pair of gangsters who double as pastry chefs as they arrive at the estate of a wealthy, half-witted widow and her sarcastic butler for the wedding of the century.
The cast has been rehearsing on an almost daily basis since early winter term in preparation for the show.
“The commitment and dedication of each and every one of these cast members is amazing,” said Rivers.
The Drowsy Chaperone will show at 7 p.m. on Thursday April 11 through Saturday April 13 in the Actor’s Studio at Yulman Theater.