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Read the Script

After Labor Day, the Bates Media Center will have several copies of  The Drowsy Chaperone Jr. script that students may read at school to help decide if they would like to audition or what role they are interested in. 

Music Samples

The following link will take you to the Music Theatre International (MTI) website. MTI is the company from which we acquire the performance rights and to whom we pay a royalty for the authors.

This site is likely not accessible from AACPS issued Chromebooks. So you will need to listen to the music clips on a mobile device, home computer, or a teacher's computer with the teacher's assistance. Look for a link to "songs" on the right to listen to samples.

https://www.mtishows.com/the-drowsy-chaperone-jr

About The Drowsy Chaperone JR.

A Broadway Junior adaptation of the Tony-winning musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone JR. is a loving satire of the Golden Age musical, featuring hysterical numbers and colorful characters. It is the perfect show for young performers with a knack for musical comedy.

A man shares with the audience his favorite record - the 1928 musical The Drowsy Chaperone. As he plays the record, the show comes to life in his apartment. Mix in two lovebirds on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and a sleepy chaperone, and you have the ingredients for a show that will have everyone laughing.

With plenty of hilarious roles, The Drowsy Chaperone JR. is a fun, delightful show for both performers and their audience.

-Music Theatre International

Full Synopsis

The Drowsy Chaperone JR. begins with Man In Chair addressing the audience. He discusses musicals, bringing up one of his favorites: The Drowsy Chaperone. He plays a record, immersing the audience in the show.

Mrs. Tottendale and her Underling enter, Tottendale admires her dress along with the rest of the cast, who appear onstage to introduce themselves ("Fancy Dress"). Everyone is gathered for the wedding of Robert Martin and Janet Van De Graaff, a "glamorous showgirl" giving up her career to be with the man she loves. Robert gives a speech about his soon-to-be bride, but George, the best man, speaks up, saying it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. George tasks Drowsy The Chaperone with keeping the couple apart.

The couple is whisked away, and the focus shifts to Janet's producer, Feldzieg, who is clearly troubled that Janet is leaving her career behind. His distress intensifies when a pair of Gangsters appear. The gangsters were sent by the largest investor in Feldzieg's company. They are tasked with ensuring that the wedding does not take place so the star of the show will remain. The gangsters threaten Feldzieg, who promises that the wedding will not occur.

Meanwhile, Robert is in his room with wedding-day jitters. He gives himself a pep talk that turns
into a lively dance ("Cold Feets - Part 1"). George enters, watching as Robert continues ("Cold Feets - Part 2"). When Robert finishes, George suggests that his friend roller skate to blow off steam. However, he also insists the groom wear a blindfold so he will not accidentally see Janet ("Wedding Bells #1 - Parts 1 & 2").

At that moment, Janet is being interviewed about giving up her career. Among the swarm of reporters is Feldzieg, who begs her to stay with his show. Janet refuses, insisting she does not want to show off while simultaneously putting on a performance for the crowd ("Show Off"). The Gangsters witness Janet's proclamation, telling Feldzieg it does not seem as if Janet wishes to stay in show business. Janet performs an encore ("Show Off Encore"). Feldzieg forms a new plan, recruiting unwitting Aldolpho by saying that the groom said he was a "scoundrel."
The producer suggests to an outraged Aldolpho that the man take revenge by kissing the bride. Aldolpho storms off in search of her.

In the bridal suite, Janet voices second thoughts about the wedding to her chaperone. She hopes the woman will give her some words of inspiration, but Drowsy simply expresses that in life, everyone is stumbling along, uncertain of themselves ("As We Stumble Along"). Still, Janet begs her chaperone for advice. Drowsy tells her to go to her fiancé. As Janet exits, Aldolpho enters, confusing Drowsy for the bride. Drowsy denies this at first, but when Aldolpho says that he must kiss the bride, the chaperone changes her story, telling Aldolpho that she is the bride. Before they share a kiss, Aldopho presses her to remember his name ("Aldolpho").

Meanwhile, Robert, still in roller skates and blindfolded, stumbles into the garden and nearly runs into a plant. Janet enters and cries out to him, but he does not recognize her voice. When Janet realizes this, she takes on the identity of Mimi, a woman from France. With her vocal disguise, Janet prompts Robert to talk about her. Robert relives the moment he realized he was in love, and Janet, caught up in the moment, shares a kiss with him. However, Janet quickly realizes her fiancé just kissed a woman that he did not know was her. She slaps him and rushes off, leaving Robert in distress.

Not knowing about the interaction in the garden, the gangsters approach Feldzieg in Tottendale's salon. They use menacing cooking phrases and movements to describe what they're going to do to Feldzieg, the final result being a "Toledo Surprise." However, Feldzieg is so caught up in their grace and rhythm that he asks them to repeat all this, turning the gangsters into surprisingly good performers ("Toledo Surprise - Part 1"). Aldolpho and Drowsy enter, Aldolpho proclaiming that he has kissed the bride and the wedding is cancelled. As soon as Feldzieg tells him that Drowsy is not the bride, Janet and Robert enter, again saying the wedding is off. Feldzieg joyfully joins the gangsters in another performance ("Toledo Surprise - Part 2"). The rest of the cast and a reluctant Janet and Robert join the dance ("Act One Finale").

After the cancellation of the wedding, Janet stands alone on her balcony, tormented by her broken heart ("Bride's Lament"). However, when Tottendale's underling asks if the wedding pews should be taken away, Tottendale says no, believing that love will prevail ("Love Is Always Lovely").

Drowsy enters the bridal suite and tells Janet that she is getting married to Aldolpho. Tottendale and her underling enter and announce that they, too, intend to be married. Robert bursts in next, insisting that he loves Janet and still wants to marry her. Feldzieg enters, arguing that Janet will miss the attention of show business if she follows through with the wedding. Janet turns to her chaperone for advice, and though Drowsy's advice is unclear to the Man In Chair and the audience, Janet agrees once again to marry Robert. As the gangsters menacingly approach Feldzieg, he finds a replacement for Janet and quite unintentionally a wife in actress Kitty. All of the couples proceed to say "I do" in one wedding, officiated by Trix ("I Do, I Do in the Sky - Part 1").

Suddenly, the power goes out in the Man's home, bringing the wedding joy to an abrupt halt. The Man's Superintendent appears, telling him he had been calling to warn him about this. The superintendent resets the breakers, restoring power, and the wedding scene suddenly bursts to life once more ("I Do, I Do in the Sky - Part 2"). The Man rushes the superintendent out, frustrated that the mood has been broken. The Man addresses the audience, acknowledging the musical's faults, yet sharing how much he still treasures it. He sings about it as the cast slowly trickles onstage, interacting with him for the first time ("Finale Ultimo and Bows").

-Music Theatre International

Character Descriptions

13 Roles + Ensemble

Drowsy Chaperone

Played by the famous Beatrice Stockwell, is a diva leading lady who takes pride in chewing the scenery. Though Ms. Stockwell is a bit too old to play an ingénue, she remembers those days well and is bitter that she now plays supporting roles. That is until she finds love, which she latches onto with the all her might.

Gender: Female

Man in Chair

The narrator of this story. It’s his passion and enthusiasm for this musical that brings the story into existence. He is a bit lonely, a definite homebody, and very particular about his privacy and his space. He has strong opinions about the musical and a strong emotional connection to its characters.

Gender: Male

Underling

Mrs. Tottendale’s much-putupon right hand man. He tries to do the best job he can for Mrs. Tottendale – though he often gets exasperated. No one is more surprised than he when she confesses her love for him, and also when he realizes he loves her too. Cast a fantastic comedic actor who can play understated in this role.

Gender: Male

Mrs. Tottendale

The befuddled hostess for Janet and Robert’s wedding. She is always happy, always looking on the bright side, andoften confused about what is happening.

Gender: Female

Robert Martin

Janet’s fiancé. Though he has the air of a debonair leading man, he wrestles with insecurities over his upcoming wedding.

Gender: Male

George

Robert’s stressed-out best man. He is happy to take on the role of best man, but is having to really work to keep the wedding on track. Though George spends a good amount of the show in a tizzy, he knows how to pull it together to get things done.

Gender: Male

Victor Feldzieg

Producer who has a lot of people putting pressure on him, including a gang boss, his pseudo-girlfriend Kitty, and Janet, the leading lady who is leaving his show. He is always seems a bit on edge as he schemes to stop the wedding and save his own life.

Gender: Male

Kitty

A chorus girl who is gunning to take over Janet’s role. Though Kitty has a lot of heart, she isn’t very bright, and has trouble convincing Feldzieg that she would be able to carry the show.

Gender: Female

Janet Van De Graff

A glamorous showgirl who plans to give up her career to wed Robert Martin. She presents herself as confident and powerful, but underneath she wonders if she is doing the right thing. Cast a true triple-threat performer in this role. She must be an excellent singer, actor, and dancer, especially for her signature number “Show Off.

Gender: Female

Gangster 1, Gangster 2, and Gangsters

Have been sent by Feldzieg’s largest investor to ensure that Janet re-joins the show.

Aldolpho

A famously charming man who believes he is a true gift to women and will do anything to uphold his honor. He is secure in his actions and goes after what things he must.

Gender: Male

Trix

Trix the Aviatrix is one spunky pilot! She saves the day at the end of the show by officiating all the weddings.

Gender: Female

Ensemble

The SUPERINTENDENT is a hilarious cameo for an actor who makes a great foil for Man In Chair. The Superintendent does not come onstage until nearly the end of the show, but feel free to use this actor in the ensemble before their big scene. GUESTS STAFF REPORTER 1, 2, 3, 4, and REPORTERS are great roles for anyone who would like to be involved in your production

Gender: Any

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