Critics love 'The Drowsy Chaperone' (and so do we)

When I first saw "The Drowsy Chaperone" on Broadway, I loved its musical-within-a-comedy premise. In the middle of a big Broadway musical, the Man in Chair character -- also the narrator -- manages to tweak Broadway musicals even as he loves them.

Now that it's here at TBPAC through Sunday, the local critics agree that it's "the best musical you've never heard of."

Here's a sampling of their opinions (and who are we to argue with them?):

'Drowsy Chaperone' will keep you awake

"The Drowsy Chaperone" may have been considered a sleeper hit on Broadway, but there's nothing sleepy about this lively and spirited tribute to musicals of the 1920s with a modern spin. … The show has a witty and infectious spirit that will sweep you away for 90 minutes or so.” – Sarasota Herald Tribune

'Drowsy Chaperone' revels in music, mirth and mayhem

“In some ways, The Drowsy Chaperone - billed as 'a musical within a comedy' - provides the best of both worlds. For diehard musical fans, it is artfully conceived (with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar) froth that replicates the offhand brilliance of Jazz Age shows by the Gershwins. There's also a hilarious spoof of The King and I when Man in Chair puts on the wrong record. And for people who hate musicals, there is the solo show of Man in Chair, who wittily expounds on everything from global warming ('November is the new August') to the similarities between pornography and musical theater." – St. Petersburg Times

‘Drowsy’ Perks Up Theater Audience

“It’s a profoundly original and loving tribute to 1920s musical comedy, where lovers break into song, actors overact and madcap antics abound. … Audiences surely will leave the theater longing for a Gibson and wondering why life can’t be more like a musical.” – The Tampa Tribune



Imagine if life were more like a musical: people spontaneously bursting into song for no apparent reason. On second thought, maybe it's better onstage.