The Drowsy Chaperone debuted in 1998 in Toronto, and later on Broadway in 2006. It’s Canadian writing team is Bob Martin and Don McKellar, and music and lyrics by Greg Morrison and Lisa Lambert. It was originally written as a 40 minute show for Martin’s bachelor party. Martin married Canadian actress Janet Van DeGraff, and you will see that their names are still a part of the show! A parody of American musical comedies of the 1920’s, The Drowsy Chaperone references everything that made those shows great...and embarrassing.
The Drowsy Chaperone wasn’t an overnight success. It went through many rewrites before it made its way to Broadway, winning 5 Tony Awards with an all-star cast including Sutton Foster, Beth Leveal, and Bob Martin as the Man In Chair. The show uses a play within a play concept. The Man In Chair, an agoraphobic musical theatre fan, goes to his happy place by listening to The Drowsy Chaperone, and the show literally comes alive in his apartment.
