The Drowsy Chaprone: I stumbled into something incredible!
YES I saw it twice @ Theatre Ancaster…
Hi Friends! I am back after a long and overdue break, I have been quite the busy be with my debut play The Rebecca Russo Show. But this article isn’t about that, no no no, it is about a fantastic preformance(s) I saw at Theatre Ancaster of The Drowsy Chaprone. So sit back, grab a snack and let’s get ready to dive into this amazing show I saw.
Firstly, If you don’t know anything about Theatre Ancaster, let me paint a picture. Theatre Ancaster is the company that puts on performances at Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre. They have different programs and levels for people of different ages and whatnot. The Drowsy Chaprone was put on by their Stage Three Youth Program, kids from grade 9 to grade 12. I have seen a plenty of Theatre Ancaster shows in the past couple years, I live right near the centre. Previously I had seen the Mainstage performance of West Side Story & the Stage Three Youth show last year of The Little Mermaid.
I am friends with some of the kids that apart of the program and one of them being my best friend Gaby told me that it was happening. Before buying tickets, I had never heard of The Drowsy Chaprone, but nonetheless when reading the description of it, it did seem like a good show. So, I bought tickets with my nana to the first saturday show and made my way to watch.
Lots of the cast of this show were previously in The Little Mermaid, so I recognized some names and faces when I got the playbill just as I sat down in my seat (a good amount I also follow on Instagram). I sat on the right side of the audience, a couple of rows back. When I first saw the set I thought to myself “Oh yeah, I’m in for a treat”. I always love the sets at Theatre Ancaster, they are always really good.
Okay so listen, as I write this review I am going to sound like a fangirl. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM. These kids in the show are so cool and I want to be friends with all of them, God forbid I am ecstatic. I’m going to write about the show but more so go in order of what characters come to mind first and my opinions.
(Noah Pace as Man in Chair, 📸: Theatre Ancaster)
The first character we met, Mr. Man in Chair, Noah Pace. Now I remembered the actor since he played Eric last year for The Little Mermaid (and he crushed it), AND he crushed this character again. The first time I saw the show, my nana remarked and said “See how he (man in chair) is twitching his hands like an old person, he is really good!” I agree with nana. Man in Chair sits on stage the entire show, and the set at the beginning is his apartment. He lives alone and tells us (the audience) about the show The Drowsy Chaprone. As he starts to play the record of the show, the set comes apart and all of the Drowsy Chaprone characters fill the stage. Man in Chair will stop and give commentary on the show as we watch it with him, which is something I liked about the show. Again, Mr. Man in Chair was and is an incredible actor. Actually when I was watching the show, I couldn’t stop thinking about how he could play one of my original characters, Joel McCandle from my play. Total props to him!
Next who I have to talk about is Miss Drowsy Chaprone herself, Ava Marie Belluz. Now she was also incredible, I had never seen her in a Theatre Ancaster show before but i understand why she got the title character. She KILLED IT. Since I started writing this article we have been messaging LOL. The Drowsy Chaprone is a really nice and funny character, she is a laid-back gal. Just like Man in Chair, I was also having thoughts of her being in my play, but for her I’d cast her in the title role of Rebecca Russo. I see lots of potential of her and Man in Chair acting together in my show. She told me over text I need to email the Theatre Ancaster people to maybe have the opportunity to put it on at Theatre Ancaster with all of them. I need to write an extended version first. Nonetheless, The Drowsy Chaprone was an amazing character played by an amazing actress.
Now next who I have to talk about is the actor of Robert Martin, Chase Kovacs. I remembered him because he was Flounder last year. Something I had forgotten or hadn’t realized was did he have PIPES. I heard the first six words of ‘Cold Feets’ and was taken back. DAMN. I’m sorry that this review is very repetitive but he KILLED it. Singing, while on roller skates, BLINDFOLDED? My respect just shot up 10x for him. His companion and soon to be wife in the show Miss Janet Van de Graaff, Olivia Pickering, also had PIPES. Girl, “I don’t wanna show…OFFFFFFF!!!” Oh I stood up and applauded! I loved the “I’m surprised she didn’t do an encore!” to her coming out and jumping out of the present. That was tea. These two as a duo and on their own were spectacular.
(Chase Kovacs & Olivia Pickering as Robert Martin & Janet Van de Graaff, 📸: Theatre Ancaster)
Mr. Feldzieg & Kitty were also scene stealers when I saw them! Henry Hargreave who I haven’t seen in a production before this one, was very good when came and saw! The character of Mr. Feldzieg definitely reminded me of my character The Producer from my play, and Henry was super funny as this character, especially when he was begging on stage and constantly had a cigar in hand. Great job, Henry! The character of Kitty was played by the lovely Boe Warwick, who played Ariel last year (which she was amazing) and she was absolutely stunning as Kitty in this production. I’ve had her voice yelling “MR. FELDZIEG!!” stuck in my head for two weeks straight, and that isn’t me complaining. I loved her talking and singing voice in this show. This girl was made for the stage, and is going places, bravo Boe!
(Henry Hargreave & Boe Warwick as Mr. Fledzieg & Kitty, 📸: Theatre Ancaster)
ALDOLPHO!! ALDOLPHO!! ALDOLPHO!!! That was my king, he really captivated the first time he was on stage. I loved his song, his mannerisms and everything about the character. Nate Snell was an excellent choice and this was my first time seeing him in a Theatre Ancaster production! You can ask any of my friends and they will tell you I have been singing “I am Aldolpho” since I heard it. I remember the second time I came and saw the show, after it was over I was standing in the lobby waiting to see some of the cast and he walked right by me. I noticed and wacked him with my playbill and yelled “ALDOLPHO! YOU WERE AMAZING!”, he turned around, looked at me, put his hand on his heart and bowed slightly and said “thank you” before walking away. What a great way to tell someone they were good.
(Nate Snell & Ava Marie Belluz as Aldolpho & The Drowsy Chaprone, 📸: Theatre Ancaster)
Mrs. Tottendale & Underling were also so cute, Macey Thompson and Nathan Daez were lovely together as these two characters. I really liked the ICED WATER gag. It’s been something my friend Gibson and I have been saying to each other. “Gibson, here’s your ICED WATER.” Very funny.
The best man of the wedding, George, played by Liam Blevins was also super entertaining to watch. My nana and I LOVED his and Chase’s tap dancing in “Cold Feets”. My nana even remarked by saying “He is really good at tap dancing, wow!” Very well done, Liam!
Also I know she played a very small role, but the superintendent who comes to fix Man in Chair’s electricity was a baddie. The tracksuit, the hair, the attitude! When she said “me and the wife…” my friend Marley and I nearly jumped out of our seats when I came to a second showing a week after my first time. While we saw her for one scene, I loved her.
(Macey Thompson & Nathan Daez as Mrs. Tottendale & Underling, 📸: Theatre Ancaster)
Finally, the characters that made me laugh the most were by far THE GANGSTERS! Ayla Outtrim & Norah Laursen were so funny. Everytime they were on stage I was hooting & hollering at everything they did. I’ve known Ayla since we were kids so I knew she was going to eat up. Norah I didn’t know but she was so good. After the second time I saw the show and was standing in the lobby, she was walking by me, still with her drawn on gangster eyebrows. I walked up to her and said “Girl I don’t know you, but you were so FUNNY!” and she started laughing and said “thank you!” So sweet.
As for the company & ensemble, you all were extraordinary. While you didn’t have a leading role or name, that doesn’t make you less valuable to the show. The ensemble is what makes a show!! Bravo to all of you for your singing, dancing, CARTWHEELS and more!
Well folks, it looks like we’ve reached the end of the review. I loved seeing this show (twice) and everyone apart of it was so awesome. I hope you enjoyed reading, and to the cast of The Drowsy Chaprone who may be reading—I’m your biggest fan, and if I didn’t walk up to you and talk to you after both shows, I was afraid since you are so cool.
See you next time!
Xoxo, Devyn