2023 Season Announcement
The drowsy Chaperone reviews
"Do yourself a favor. GO! and see a first-rate and entertaining production."
Review by: Stan Kelly
In his notes, Director, Eddy Herring, acknowledges that he “hit the casting jackpot when (he) got this cast and production team”, and, boy did he ever. As I’ve said in previous comments, 90% of the director’s job is done if one has the right cast. But when one has actors with this level and caliber of talent, the director better know what the hell to do with them, and Eddy Herring sure as hell does. This show is beautifully cast. There’s not a weak link to be found. Their bios include voice teachers, choir directors, trained opera singers, directors, choreographers, dance teachers, many with musical theater degrees and mile-long theater cred. 16 out of the 20 cast members are first timers at ACT and a couple more appearing here for only the second time. Vocally, the entire cast shines. Directing his first musical, Herring has done a masterful job with clean, crisp staging of this 20 character piece, where no opportunity for a laugh has been overlooked. It is laugh out loud funny, start to finish. The energy level is through the roof, with every cast member giving 110%, 100% of the time, thus creating theater magic. The production values are wonderful with a cleverly designed set, knock-it-out-of-the-park costumes, excellent lighting and sound which completes and compliments the action, all enabled by a highly efficient crew.
But this show would not be what it is without Becca Tischer’s brilliant choreography, from the tap numbers to the full ensemble pieces. Her choreography is not designed for the lowest common denominator as we see in most local musicals. She made dancers out of non-dancers, and gave those with dance experience challenging routines with precise physicality fitting their characters.
There are too many performers to mention individually (This ain’t The Column, ya know.) but the lead girls are absolutely delightful to watch and listen to, and the lead boys are outstanding. As The Man in the Chair, the narrator of the play, Mikey Abrams, turns in a tour de force performance that is nothing less than exquisite with perfect timing, landing every joke as he engages the audience with wit and charm. I also have to mention Aaron Adair, as Aldolpho, who steals every scene he’s in.
This production does exactly what a musical is supposed to do. “Take you away from the dreary horror of the real world.” And this one will make you feel good too. Score: 10. Do yourself a favor. GO! and see a first-rate and entertaining production.
"If you are, or ever were, a musical theatre fan, this is the show for you."
Review by: Aubrey Tarantine
Excerpt below. See full review on The Dallas Theatre Journal, https://dallastheatrejournal.blogspot.com/2022/10/review-for-drowsy-chaperone-allen.html
"The Drowsy Chaperone at the Allen Contemporary Theatre is a success by all accounts. My cheeks were hurting because I was smiling so much. Every single actor was brilliant and understood the assignment, the set was perfect, and our directors did a phenomenal job at casting, directing, and setting the scene for us. If you are, or ever were, a musical theatre fan, this is the show for you. It’ll mostly make you laugh, but by the very end you may well be crying – I know I was."
"For the love of God. Go."
Review by: Christopher Soden
Excerpt below. See full review on Christopher's site https://sharpcritic.com/2022/10/13/acts-playfully-chaotic-blissfully-facetious-drowsy-chaperone/
"Allen Contemporary Theatre’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone is not to be missed. Directors Eddy Herring and Robyn Meade have brought all the nuance and spark of Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison’s (Music and Lyrics) Bob Martin and Don McKellar’s (Book) script to the stage. The splendid nonsense, the unflinching gags, the spits and double-takes and cringe-worthy puns. Like a collage by Rauschenberg or Schwitters or Picasso it coalesces into into something transcending its components. And the cast. What a bunch of effervescent, acrobatic, scene-chewing, crisp and hammy maniacs. What is it about ACT’s production that wakes you to the sweet and gorgeous in the world? That jazzes you down to cobwebs of your soul? Well, you won’t find out just sitting there. For the love of God. Go."
"Do yourself a favor and get tickets to this one! I’m so glad I did."
Review by: Heather Walker Shin
I was privileged to attend the preview performance of The Drowsy Chaperone at Allen Contemporary Theatre. An anomaly among theater people, while I was familiar with the general premise of the show, I had never seen it nor listened to the cast album. This afforded me the rare pleasure of experiencing a show for the very first time. I was not disappointed!
From top to bottom, this is a cast that can SING! Rikki Sushaun (Trix the Aviatrix) had the best voice of the night, but keep in mind, she was the best out of a crowded field. Top notch vocals all around. Congratulations to Music Director Jared Duncan for that. Vocally, there really wasn’t a weak link.
Becca Tischer’s choreography brought the show to a whole other level, especially the tap number with David Helms (Robert), Heath Bromley (George), and Scott Vollmer (Underling).
From an acting standpoint, while everyone was fantastic, the standouts for me were Aaron Adair (Adolpho), Tessa Newman (Kitty), and the duo of Nick Tischer and Brendan Tetter (Gangsters #1 and #2). Director Eddy Herring did a great job of casting and helming this cast, coaching great performance from them.
The show is anchored by Mikey Abrams (Man in Chair). Honestly, I kind of want to see the show again, just so I can focus a rewatch solely on him. He is the narrator, and, like the narrator in Our Town, he is onstage for the entire show. Whether he is talking to the audience, watching the antics of the rest of the cast, or occasionally sneaking into their scenes, he never flagged or wavered once. The stamina and concentration to maintain that is incredible.
The set and costumes were full of thoughtful little touches. I especially liked the creative mirror used in a couple of scenes. The lights and sound were great, especially considering how many body mics were being used.
Do yourself a favor and get tickets to this one! I’m so glad I did.
It Runs In The Family Cast Announcement
We are please to present the cast for our upcoming December show, It Runs In The Family:
Production Team:
Director – Penny Elaine
Producer – Eric Levy
Stage Manager – Nathan Beeman
Set Designer/Master Builder – Bill Wash
Costume Designer – Shanna Threkeld
Sound Designer – Robbi Holman
Lighting Designer – Martin Mussey
Props Designer – Jennifer Patton
Cast:
Dr David Mortimore – Eddy Herring
Dr Mike Connolly – Brendan Tetter
Dr Hubert Bonney – Brian Hoffman
Matron – Laura Jennings
Sir Willoughby Drake – Budd Mahan
Jane Tate – Rebecca Tischer
Rosemary Mortimore – Heather Walker Shin
Leslie – Aidan Fenton
Sister – Maddy Maslow
Police Sergeant – Kenneth Fulenwider
Bill – Shawn Patrello
Mother – Sue Goodner
It Runs In The Family runs December 2-18. Tickets will go on sale October 24th.
The drowsy Chaperone Cast announcement
We are pleased to present the cast and production team for our upcoming musical, The Drowsy Chaperone:
Production Team:
Directors - Eddy Herring & Robyn Mead
Music Director - Jared Duncan
Choreographer - Becca Tischer
Stage Manager - Katy Hill
Producer - Joe Barr
Cast:
Mikey Abrams - Man in Chair
Kari Kennedy - The Chaperone
Taylor Sherry - Janet
David Helms - Robert
Heath Bromley - George
Aaron Adair - Aldolpho
MaryCay Mussey - Mrs. Tottendale
Scott Vollmer - Underling
Blake Rice - Feldzieg
Tessa Newman - Kitty
Nicholas Tischer - Gangster #1
Brendan Tetter - Gangster #2
Rikki Sushaun - Trix the Aviatrix
Ensemble:
Lisette Perez, Kelsey Korman, Necia Greenwood, Jennifer Steele, Nancy Bartke, Nancy Pistilli
The Drowsy Chaperone runs October 7-23. Tickets will go on sale September 5.