![]() Man in Chair explains that this song was written into the show due to the demands of the actress playing the Drowsy Chaperone, who always insisted that a rousing anthem be included in every show in which she performed. ![]() This prompts the Chaperone to perform a rousing anthem about alcoholism ("As We Stumble Along"), which is not particularly relevant to the plot. In her bedroom, Janet shares with her Chaperone her excitement about the upcoming nuptials. He enlists the help of Latin lover, Aldolpho, convincing him to seduce Janet. ![]() Feldzeig arrives and attempts to convince her to reconsider the wedding, but she rebuffs him ("Show Off"). Janet is lounging by a pool while fielding questions from reporters. In order to prevent Robert from accidentally seeing the bride before the wedding, he also provides Robert with a blindfold. George suggests that Robert blow off some steam by roller-skating. Robert and George nervously prepare for the wedding ("Cold Feets"). The Gangsters, who are in the employ of one of Feldzeig's investors, pressure him to sabotage the wedding so that he can retain Janet's services as a performer. Throughout the show, Man in Chair will continue to comment and explain the action with asides to the audience.įeldzeig is agonizing over the fact that his top meal ticket, Janet, is leaving showbiz to get married. Tottendale and her Underling, a proper butler dashing bridegroom, Robert Martin harried and bumbling best man, George producer, Feldzeig (a thinly-disguised homage to legendary Broadway producer, Florenz Zeigfeld) ditsy, would-be showgirl ingenue, Kitty a pair of Gangsters disguised as the pastry chefs Latin lothario, Aldolpho (a Rudolph Valentino-type) Janet's Drowsy (i.e., "tipsy") Chaperone (whom we understand is being played by a rather overbearing and potent grand dame of the theatre) and Trix, a glamorous aviatrix, a la Amelia Earhart. We are introduced to a barrage of characters during an introductory opening number ("Fancy Dress"), including Mrs. Tottendale, a wealthy dowager, is the site of an imminent wedding between showgirl, Janet Van De Graff, to oil tycoon, Robert Martin. No sooner has the needle touched the record than we, together with the narrator, are transported to a 1928 Broadway theatre and into The Drowsy Chaperone, a play-within-a-play, crammed full of every cliche, gag and gimmick from the golden age of musicals. He is a fan of vintage musicals, who seems to be suffering from free-floating depression, and he quickly decides to cheer things up by playing a record of the original cast recording of a (fictional) Broadway musical entitled The Drowsy Chaperone. The audience is greeted by the narrator, Man in Chair, sitting on a darkened stage. ![]()
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