Purchase tickets to "The Drowsy Chaperone" via this QR code.

Prescott High School
1010 Dexter St.
Prescott, WI 54021
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PRESCOTT – Get ready for a night of comedy, laughter, music and fun as Prescott High School presents the musical farce “The Drowsy Chaperone” this weekend.

Director Thomas Speltz said when the show came out on Broadway when he was in high school, it immediately became one of his favorite productions. He’s just been waiting for the right time to bring it to Prescott.

“Every year when we choose a show, there are many things that go into consideration,” Speltz said. “One of the things that we consider is the genre of theatre. We look back at what we have produced in the past to make sure we’re picking a variety. Every year is something a little bit different.”

Last year’s show, “Tuck Everlasting,” was a nostalgic drama, while “The Drowsy Chaperone” is a true musical comedy.

“We haven’t done a true musical farce,” Speltz said. “Comedy is really challenging. We felt like this was a good opportunity for the students to work on their comedy chops. It was one of our main pulls to the show.”

The plot takes the audience on a journey watching a musical within a musical. It makes fun of all the classical musical theatre troupes, over-the-top plots and characters and ridiculous situations that people found themselves in, common in the 1920s theatre scene.

“We are taken along and watching a musical unfold in someone’s apartment as they are watching a musical and describing it to us,” Speltz said.

Another layer to the show is the character called “the person in the chair,” or the narrator.

“They are having a really bad day,” Speltz said. “We don’t necessarily know why. What they are doing to get themselves out of this funk is listening to their favorite record. We are coming into their life where they need this musical to pull them out of this depression spiral. We see the energy shift and how much they love this show.”

The narrator sprinkles the storyline with fun facts about the actors in the musical they are watching. Speltz likes the plot because it shows people how we cope with our emotions by turning to things in life that bring us joy.

“It’s a comedy, but also about being human, making mistakes in your life and persevering,” he said.

Cast members auditioned in mid-December and rehearsals started immediately after winter break. The 12-week rehearsal process included practice every day after school for three hours, including music, choreography and blocking. They added costumes, lights and sound Sunday night to get the feel of the production.

“It went well. It took about eight hours to tech through an 80-minute musical,” Speltz said.

As he mentioned before, comedy is challenging for even seasoned actors. When comedy is forced, it’s not funny, Speltz said.

“Comedy comes from truth,” he added. “What we’ve learned and discovered as a team is that the play is inherently funny in its circumstances and writing. I think the kids have really embraced the idea and have done a nice job.”

However, things that are funny in rehearsal the first time lose their luster for actors after they’re rehearsed over and over again. The group is ready to perform for a live audience.

“The audience is the final piece of puzzle. Theatre would not be theatre without the audience part,” Speltz said. “That is especially true in comedy, because it’s all action and reaction.”

The show is recommended for ages 12 and older. The humor is not inappropriate but may go over the heads of younger children.

Tickets can be purchased online (see the QR code) or at the door for $8-$12. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, with 2 p.m. matinees Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2.

Cast

Person in the Chair: Rian Engeldinger

Mrs. Tottendale: Syrenna Taylor

Underling: Cayden Riley

Robert Martin: Cooper Langer

George: Will Markert

Mr. Feldzieg: Elliott Cook

Kitty: Sydney Magee

Gangster 1: Noa Sixto

Gangster 2: Sophie Perez

Aldolpho: Carter Lubich

Janet Van de Graff: Mackenzie Hegland

The Drowsy Chaperone: Grace Ryan

Trix: Megan Richter

Ensemble

Allie Tibayan, Bayla Langer, Adrienne Tilton, Emelyn Schulte, Jessica Benjamin, Kaitlyn Sanney, Abby Stubbe, Tailynne Hughes, Yaneli Parra-Rios and Zoe Anthony

Production team

Director and designer: Thomas Speltz

Music director: Brittany Kamrath

Choreographers: Lewis Youngren and Caitlyn Sparks

Costumes: Kathy Kohl

Lighting: William Larsen

Student director: Cassie Most