The Drowsy Chaperone
A Musical Within a Comedy
Auditions are closed.
Want to be a production intern? Details below. Apply here.
Join Break a Leg Theater Works as we present our upcoming virtual movie musical, The Drowsy Chaperone! This fantastic production will be filmed in a COVID-safe manner over the winter and spring and are open to all interested age appropriate students. After editing, we will present a full scale virtual production that you will be able to enjoy from the comfort of your own home this summer. Students will experience the craft of movie making and learn how to vocally record in the studio. Our film will include a hybrid of zoom rehearsals and in-person filming days.
Now casting students for roles and internships for our upcoming movie musical! These musicals will be safely filmed following Massachusetts COVID-19 Safety Guidelines. Students will rehearse online and recorded and filmed in-person. The shows will be live-streamed in early summer.
WHO
Grades 9-12; younger students with musical theater experience may also audition
WHAT
Please scroll to the bottom of this page for musical synopsis' & character breakdowns.
WHERE
• Auditions by video submission (first fill out [1] registration form, then fill out [2] casting form).
• Virtual callbacks and initial rehearsals will take place online
• Additional rehearsals, recording and filming will take place on location at Map Academy (located at 11 Resnik Road in Plymouth, MA); additional possible other locations TBD
WHEN
• Auditions - Initial Video Audition Submission due: January 31st
• Callbacks - Sunday, February 7, 2021
*callback list, materials, and Zoom schedule will be sent on February 1st
Rehearsals/Filming
• Rehearsals and filming will take place online and in person from February-May
• Shows will be streamed in late June or early July.
• Flexible scheduling! Students will be asked to complete an availability form upon registering. Our rehearsal and filming schedule will be released several weeks at a time.
Generally speaking, rehearsals and filming will take place at various times on Sundays
*Additional weekday rehearsals and filming days may be added, TBD
ALSO LOOKING FOR PRODUCTION INTERNS (8th grade - adult) for our shows:
(Scroll down to the bottom of this page for production intern descriptions.) CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
• Assistant Stage Managers (preferably NOT a cast member)
• Video/Sound Editing (cast members ok)
• Camera Operation (cast members ok)
• Hair/Makeup/Costume Assistants (cast members ok)
TUITION
• $10.00 Non-Refundable Audition Fee (Register Now)
• Tuition Payment: $450.00 (or 4 monthly installments of $112.50)
*Students may also be asked to supply their own basic costume pieces (with guidance) and makeup
Summary
When wealthy widow Mrs. Tottenham hosts the wedding of the year, she gets a lot more than a write-up in the society pages: Janet Van de Graaff, glittering starlet of Feldzieg’s Follies, is leaving the stage for love, a turn of events which horrifies the angry and anxious Mr. Feldzieg, whose chief investor has sent two gangsters disguised as pastry chefs to make sure he stops the wedding. Hiring Aldolpho, a passionate man who's more vain than virile, to seduce the bride, is unsuccessful, as Janet’s chaperone, a boozy diva, who gets herself mistaken for the bride and seduced in Janet’s place. It is left to the eager best man, George, to quite by accident break up the happy pair, when he sends groom Robert Martin out to the garden, blindfolded, and in roller skates. Such are the antics of The Drowsy Chaperone, a fictitious 1928 musical comedy. This magical piece of meta-theatre and playful, heartfelt parody of the 1920s musical comedy features a chirpy jazz age score by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, and a lively, clever book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, both of which were Tony winners in 2006. The score boasts such tunes as the scenery-chomping “Show Off”, the sizzling and silly “I Am Aldolpho”, the catchy “Toledo Surprise”, and “As We Stumble Along”, a rousing optimistic hilarious anthem.
Character Breakdown
Man In Chair: A Musical theatre aficionado who mourns the end of the Golden Era. He's a bit reclusive and awkward socially. He narrates the show as he listens to the record on vinyl. (Leading pivotal role with much monologuing)
Janet Van de Graaff: Star of Feldzieg’s Follies who is conflicted about giving up her life on the stage to marry Robert Martin. Attractive, vivacious, outgoing personality. She loves being the center of attention and is the consummate 1920s starlet. Strong movement and special skills (acrobatics, juggling, etc.) a plus. Vocal range: Alto with big belt (G3-E5)
Robert Martin: The groom-to-be who is deeply in love with Janet. He is the token 1920s leading man – debonair, dashing, and a matinee idol. He is cheesy, cheerful, and optimistic. Must be able to tap dance and roller skate. Vocal range: Tenor (C3 – Ab4)
The Drowsy Chaperone: Janet’s boozy confidante. Care-free, often because she is drunk. An experienced “woman of the world” who couldn’t care less what the world thinks. A melodramatic diva to be reckoned with who gleefully chews the scenery and steals just about every scene she is in. Great comedic role. Think Liza Minnelli meets Tallulah Bankhead. Vocal range: Alto with strong belt (F3-D5)
Aldolpho: Latin lothario. A womanizing cad who is very impressed with himself. He is confident, vigorous, and a buffoon. Vaudeville-style acting and fake Spanish/Italian accent required. Should have great comic timing. Vocal range: Bass/Baritone + great falsetto (A#2-G4)
Mrs. Tottendale: A wealthy widow and host of the wedding. She is flighty, eccentric, oftentimes forgetful, and funny. She is absolutely charming, bubbly and oblivious to the confusion her behavior generates in other people. Vocal range: Alto character voice (G3-Db5)
Underling: (50s-60s) Mrs. Tottendale’s unflappable butler and manservant. He is stoic, dry-humored and sarcastic. A cross between Arthur Treacher and Niles the butler from The Nanny. Vocal range: Tenor character voice (Ab2-G4)
Mr. Feldzieg: (40s-50s) Harried producer who will do anything to stop the wedding in order to keep Janet in the Follies. He is nervous, sarcastic, impatient, overbearing, and insensitive. Vocal range: Baritone (Db3-Db4)
Kitty: (30s) 1920s dumb blonde chorine. She is Mr. Feldzieg’s companion and will do anything to be a leading lady. A cross between Norma Cassady from Victor Victoria and Lena Lamont from Singin’ in the Rain. Vocal range: Soprano comedic belt (Bb3-F5)
George: Robert’s anxious best man. He is loyal, sincere, and nervous. Makes looking out for Robert’s interests his top priority so that the wedding will come off without a hitch. Must be able to tap. Vocal range: Tenor (F3-Bb4)
Gangsters 1 & 2: Two jovial gangsters who are posing as pastry chefs. Typical 1920s Broadway gangsters full of word play and stylized movements. Good comic timing and dancing skills required. Vocal range: Tenor (Db3-Gb4)
Trix the Aviatrix: The brave and brash female aviator. She is sassy, sleek and a take charge kind of gal. Preferably an African American actress as originally cast. May double in the ensemble. Vocal range: Alto (Ab3-Eb5)
Ensemble: A strong, dancing/singing ensemble consisting of reporters, maids, wedding singers, monkeys, photographers, cloud dancers Vocal range: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Production Interns Wanted!
1) ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
Looking for 2 Assistant Stage Managers for The Drowsy Chaperone and High School Musical Jr.
Responsibilities include:
- Assisting the Stage Manager in paperwork creation/distribution
- Attending rehearsals/filming days
- Attend production meetings in the event that the Stage Manager is unable to attend
- Will double as Production Interns at the discretion of the Director of Photography
- Assisting with Google Drive Management
Basic knowledge of Google Drive (specifically Docs and Sheets) is encouraged, but we are willing to give you a crash course in the software before beginning production duties.
If you are interested in this position, please contact Erin Field (erin.field@breakalegtheater.com) for more information!
2) FILMING INTERNSHIP
Have you ever wanted to learn what goes into making a movie? Now is your chance to have hands on experience with the BAL film crew as a production assistant! Working closely with our technical director/director of photography, students will assist on set, behind the camera, and in the editing room all while learning how our musicals come to your screen.
FILMING INTERNSHIPS may consist of camera operation and editing for this (and future) BAL projects. As a part of this internship, students/interns will play a key role in the behind the scenes creation of our virtual programs under the instruction of BAL's technical director.