Well, as any dedicated Blogway Baby reader knows, we've been following THE DROWSY CHAPERONE for a long, long time. Like since the Toronto Fringe Festival in 1999 long time!

Well, I haven't seen it yet (another 10 sleeps), but my trusty "masked theatregoer" managed to score a ticket on Tuesday night. And here's his "review", and, um, thanks...I guess:

*****

THE MASKED THEATREGOER: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE MINI-REVIEW

DROWSY CHAPERONE KILLED!
I laughed 'til I cried! Seriously, I haven't laughed this hard in the theatre in a long, long time. It's wonderful how the piece gives you permission to laugh at 1920s slapstick that would land flat if it were presented out of context. I felt like a kid again, enjoying theatre through more innocent eyes. While walking home, I reflected on the show and I had these observations:

1. WOW, HAS IT EVER CHANGED!
I *guess* it's the same show...but is it? It's a good lesson on the evolutionary nature of the musical art form. This show is almost unrecognizable from its Toronto incarnations, from the songs, the dynamics, and the staging. Bob is sorta the same, but he interacts with his imagination in a much more satisfying way.

I loved the changes, and in particular I love the fact that the whole show happens inside his apartment, and the introduction of the super is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. I also really enjoyed the lack of intermission, which keeps the magic alive. The Passe Muraille version had an intermission, and it really killed the show...

2. OH MY GOD, I'M IN LOVE WITH SUTTON FOSTER. I SAW HER LOOKING AT ME FROM THE STAGE, AND I THINK SHE LOVES ME TOO...
That face, that face, that wonderful face. And those legs, that voice, WOW. Sutton is a force of nature, and she owns the stage in DROWSY. Is she married?

3. DID I MENTION THAT I THINK SUTTON FOSTER HAS A "THING" FOR ME?
OK, so I've checked, and Sutton IS NOT MARRIED. However, she's IS engaged to marry SPAMALOT star Christian Borle in September, so I've gotta work fast...

4. GEORGIA ENGEL IS BRILLIANT!
OK, so if the Sutton Foster thing doesn't work out, I've always had a thing for Georgette, and Georgia Engel delivers in spades. I'm currently re-watching all the old MARY TYLER MOORE shows, and I've fallen in love all over again. Ah, spring!

5. THIS SHOW IS FUN, FUN, FUN AND ALL THE "TALKIN' BROADWAY" PISSY PANTS CAN GO SCREW THEMSELVES...
Finally, theatre designed for escape. It's appropriate that DROWSY is taking to the same stage that hosted the sonorous THE WOMAN IN WHITE...talk about your opposites!

Go see this show while it's still in previews and still cheap. Once the reviews and Tonys come out, this thing will be running at full-price and 100% capacity. You've been warned!

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