Imagine a world where nothing is taken too seriously.  For a hilarious and somewhat melancholy Paul Melendy as Man in Chair, The Drowsy Chaperone is a frothy, charming, and joyous piece of escapism from the reality outside his cozy apartment.

Masterfully directed and choreographed by Larry Sousa with lively musical direction by Matthew Stern, celebrate Lyric Stage Company’s 50^th season with Golden Age musical satire The Drowsy Chaperone live and in person at Lyric Stage Company in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 12.  This partially interactive production is approximately one hour and 45 minutes with no intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Having seen this gem of a musical done before at other venues, it was with great anticipation to witness this jubilant musical performed by another stellar cast.  An average gloomy apartment is much more than it seems as a delightful Paul Melendy’s Man in Chair, tea in hand, decides to share his 1928 record, The Drowsy Chaperone, with the audience.   As soon as the needle hits the vinyl, life is transformed. 

From shimmering canary yellow feathered ensembles to timely velvet dresses and fishnets, furs, show stopping silver uniforms, colorful flapper flair, silks, polka dots, pinstripe suits and tails as well as nostalgic 20s hairstyles, costume designer Seth Bodie perfectly captures the vintage style and heightened glamour of the roaring 20s and Musical’s Golden Age.  Cameron McEachern beautifully rewinds the clock with classic posters on brick walls, an enchanted old fashioned refrigerator and a stage on a stage likened to a vintage Cathedral radio illuminated by John Malinowski’s vibrant marquee lighting.

In a mismatched cardigan, button down shirt, maroon pants and mischievous mustache, the real magic behind The Drowsy Chaperone is in the introverted Man in Chair himself.  Melendy is an enthusiastic jumble of observational quips, improvisation, Broadway wisdom, and impressive comedic chops while also infusing the past with wonderful contemporary nuances and truisms about life.  Watching Melendy’s relatable, animated expressions and natural delivery absorbed in living vicariously is just engaging enough to not scene steal from the other marvelous characters onstage.  However, it is such great fun watching Melendy observe and sometimes say what everyone else is thinking in this somewhat play-within-a play.

Mistaken identity, a prohibition wedding, a self assured Aviatrix, and lots of champagne is just the tip of the iceberg as an assortment of wonderful characters  join together for the 1928 wedding of Joy Clark as determined showgirl Janet and her love struck fiancé, Robert Martin portrayed by Jared Troilo.  Clark shines in a glorious and flirtatious rendition of Show Off delivering snappy comedic timing and exuberant chorography as cameras flash.  Though Clark’s Janet claims to be fiercely independent, she and Troilo make a cute pair with perfectly timed chemistry in the quirky number Accident Waiting to Happen.   Troilo and Mark Linehan as best man George deliver an exceptional tap routine for the catchy number Cold Feet.  Troilo’s physical comedy is terrific especially at a moment when he is quite literally knuckling across the stage for a laugh.

In purple furs and a dramatic delivery reminiscent of a cross between Jennifer Saunders and Lucille Ball, Maureen Keiller kills it as The Drowsy Chaperone.  Keiller’s dry humored style of nonchalance and extravagant spectacle is a fabulous combination as she delivers a show stopping rendition of As We Stumble Along and later sharing a wild encounter with Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia as self obsessed Latino Aldolfo who is sporting a striped suit and gleaming rings.   

In a sharp pinstripe suit, Damon Singletary, recently seen as a pivotal gangster in Lyric Stage’s Sister Act, means business in his portrayal of calculating Feldzieg while Ilyse Robbins and Kathy St. George provide lots of laughs portraying a dynamic and tough talking pastry chef duo with an amusing affinity to puns.  Robbins and St. George lead a rousing rendition of Toledo Surprise in a grand dance number fueled by some of the most popular dances of the era.

What this all comes down to is raise a glass and enjoy the endlessly charming The Drowsy Chaperone!  The Man in Chair will surely make room for you.

Masterfully directed and choreographed by Larry Sousa with lively musical direction by Matthew Stern, celebrate Lyric Stage Company’s 50^th season with Golden Age musical satire The Drowsy Chaperone live and in person at Lyric Stage Company in Boston Massachusetts through Sunday, May 12.  This partially interactive production is approximately one hour and 45 minutes with no intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.