“The Drowsy Chaperone” is a big, sweet love letter to American musicals that pays homage to its own bygone era by lovingly lampooning it. SpeakEasy Stage Company captures this magic in a charming production brimming with the laughter and innocence it so splendidly spoofs.
The story is told by a character named Man in Chair (Will McGarrahan), who literally sits in a chair commenting on the action as it unfolds. McGarrahan nicely sets the tone for the production with a perfect blend of lonely resignation, humor and a tremendous love for musical theater.
His imagination runs wild with a story of love, near-misses, silliness, drun-ken revelry, stupid gangsters, lust, musical numbers and a happy ending.
Karen MacDonald makes her SpeakEasy debut with an incredible performance as the tipsy Chaperone charged with keeping the bride away from the groom until the wedding. Thomas Derrah is great as a blustering buffoon and Kerry Dowling and Bob Saoud are perfectly paired as the aging mistress of the house and her servant. McCaela Donovan delivers scene-stealing vocals as the future bride, and David Christensen proves to be the perfect choice as her groom-to-be.
‘The Drowsy Chaperone’
Through June 5
BCA Calderwood Pavilion
527 Tremont St., Boston
$25-$52, 617-933-8600
www.speakeasystage.com
