NU Theatre tops off its 52nd season April 21-May 1with a tongue-in-cheek production of The Drowsy Chaperone, the musical for musical lovers.
Doug Zschiegner, associate professor and associate director of NU Theatre, will direct this rousing production.
Winner of five Tony Awards (including Best Book and Best Original Score), The Drowsy Chaperone is a caricature of the Jazz age musical featuring multiple show stopping song-and-dance numbers, all while poking fun at the conventions and devices of musical theatre.
Your semi-recumbent tour guide will take you on an ecstatic excursion through his favorite musical, replete with lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a rather dim hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an inebriated chaperone.
Musical direction will be provided by adjunct professor Cristen Gregory and choreography will be provided by Terri Filips Vaughan, associate professor/choreographer. Costumes will be by associate professor/costume and make-up designer Maureen T. Stevens and scenic design will be by associate professor/scenic designer/production manager David Dwyer.
The Drowsy Chaperone will be on stage in the Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, and Thursday, April 28. The musical will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22, Saturday, April 23, and Friday, April 29. In addition, 2 p.m. matinees will be held Saturday, April 23, Sunday, April 24 (with post-show discussion), and Sunday, May 1.
On Saturday, April 30, the Friends of Niagara University Theatre will host the 31st Annual Friends of Niagara University Theatre Gala, which includes a 4 p.m. production of The Drowsy Chaperone and a cocktail reception, dinner and silent and live auction at the Niagara Falls Country Club. Tickets for the gala are $150 per person or $175 per person (gala patrons). For more information about the gala, please contact Niagara University Theatre at 716.286.8483.
Costume, hair and makeup design is by Maureen T. Stevens, associate professor/costume, hair and makeup designer. Set design is by associate professor/scenic designer and production manager David Dwyer. Light Design is by Jayson D. Clark and Sound Coordinator is by Glenn Bernardis. Stage manager is theatre design/production major Marissa Allen of Tonawanda, N.Y. Assistant stage managers are theatre design/production major Keelin Higgins of Middleport, N.Y., and performance major Kayla Storto of Orchard Park, N.Y.
Niagara University theatre performance majors who are in the cast include Alexander Utz (Man in Chair) of Williamsville, N.Y.; Bradeen Walders (Mrs. Tottendale) of Albion, N.Y.; Peter J. Raimondo (Underling) of Brockport, N.Y.; Joshua Ranallo (Robert Martin) of Buffalo, N.Y.; Matt Dell’Olio (George) of Ontario, N.Y.; David Wysocki (Feldzieg) of Hamburg, N.Y.; Cassidy Kreuzer (Kitty) of Cheektowaga, N.Y.; Steven Duncan Sass (Gangster #1) of Huntington Beach, Calif.; Elijah Vazquez (Gangster #2) of Hammond, Ind.; Matthew J. Divita (Aldolpho) of Rochester, N.Y.; Heather Casseri (Janet Van De Graff) of Tonawanda, N.Y.; Marina Laurendi (The Drowsy Chaperone) of Lewiston, N.Y.; Ember Tate (Trix the Aviatrix) of Corona, Calif.; Shelby Ehrenreich (Maid A) of North Tonawanda, N.Y.; Marissa Delvecchio (Maid B) of Churchville, N.Y.; Dylan Zalikowski (Reporter One) of Springville, N.Y.; Ronnie Stewart (Reporter Two) of Kenmore, N.Y.; and Charles McGregor (Super) of Buffalo, N.Y.
For more information and tickets, please visit http://theatre.niagara.edu.