THEATER: The Drowsy Chaperone

Anyone lucky enough to have seen the State High Thespian production of The Drowsy Chaperone knows that the days of high schools doing plays with titles like “Abner Slick from Pumpkin Creek” are definitely a thing of the past.

Thanks to Director/Choreographer Jill Campbell, the capacity audience in North Auditorium saw a sophisticated production. Costumes were beautiful, the sets attractive, and the cast well prepared. It was difficult to remember that it was not a professional company.
It is hard to limit my comments to the space allowed to me here. Each member of the chorus could be mentioned by name; I have never seen such a large group of students stay in character every time they were on stage. Because so much of the humor of the play depends on the characters being played over the top, facial expressions were vital and the actors were having a ball with their parts.
It has to be noted also that the all student orchestra under the direction of Paul Leskowicz was not only good, but I could hear the lyrics. That is very important to me.

Erin Quay made me smile each time that she stepped on stage. I am looking forward to next year and a chance to hear Brittany Farnsworth’s voice in a larger part. Mitchell Cornwall was the romantic lead that every movie should have - tall, dark, and handsome.

Luckily for all of us, Emily Dennis is a junior and will be available next year. Am I the only one that compared Emily Dennis to Mame Dennis? What great casting that would be!  As the Man in Chair, Jason Doll was an expert at keeping the audience involved in what was happening on stage. It is the role that holds the show together and Jason had the talent/personality to do it.

The true “star turn” was performed by Morgan Sichler as she explained why she will not show off any more, thus giving Morgan a chance to sing, dance, juggle, do splits, charm snakes, well, you get the idea. This number alone will keep less talented groups from doing the show.

Jesse Moore is one of the reasons that I love my job. The part of Aldolpho is so far from the other roles that I have seen him do that I will be watching the local theaters this summer for him. I admire anyone who can run the gambit from drama to farce in the same year.

This was the first of the local high school spring musicals. Trust me; if you have not seen a high school performance recently, you are missing a fun, inexpensive evening. Cast and crew work hard and just for our entertainment. Come out and support them.

(photos courtesy of Drew Frank)