Aurora Theatre set for The Drowsy Chaperone
Feb 19, 2013

Aurora Theatre continues its 17th season with the 2006 Broadway sensation, The Drowsy Chaperone playing March 14 through April 14, 2013. This Winner of 5 Tony Awards pays tribute to the Jazz‑Age shows of the 1920's that lifted our spirits during the Great Depression. When a die‑hard musical theatre fan plays his favorite cast album on his turntable, the musical literally bursts to life in the living room of his dingy apartment. His favorite musical, entitled The Drowsy Chaperone begins on a Broadway starlet's wedding day and is complicated by a motley crew of zany guests, including a gin‑soaked chaperone assigned to keep a watchful eye over the bride.

Initially, The Drowsy Chaperone was created in 1997 as a gift from Don McKellar, Lisa Lambert, and Greg Morrison for the stag party of Bob Martin and Janet Van De Graaff. The musical spoof was reshaped for the 1998 Toronto Fringe Festival. Bob Martin became a co-writer and developed "Man in Chair" to serve as a narrator. After years of development, The Drowsy Chaperone opened on May 1, 2006 at Broadway's Marquis Theatre.
About the Aurora Theatre Production

The creative team behind Aurora Theatre's smash hits Singin' in the Rain and A Chorus Line, Director Anne Towns, Choreographer Jen MacQueen and Music Director Ann-Carol Pence have reunited. After her Atlanta debut in the title role of Kiss of the Spider Woman at Actor's Express, Liberty Cogen plays Broadway starlet Janet Van De Graaff opposite dashing leading man Greg Bosworth, who portrays oil tycoon Robert Martin. The lovable Man in Chair will be played by Steve Hudson. Aurora Producing Artistic Director Anthony P. Rodriguez is Latin lover extraordinaire Aldolpho and the perennially tipsy Chaperone is the hilarious Courtney Patterson. The cast is stocked with favorites from past Aurora Theatre productions; Bart Hansard (Clyde 'n Bonnie: A Folktale), Brandon O'Dell (Christmas Canteen, Camelot), Nick Morrett (A Chorus Line) and Caitlin Smith (Clyde 'n Bonnie: A Folktale). Rounding out the talented company are Holly Stevenson, Xylina Nuckles, John Markowski, Austin Tijerina, Alexandra Duncan, Jon Wierenga, Katie Causey and Ben Toler.

Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez, "Some of the most rewarding experiences for me as a producer have come from working on new musicals. With last season's success of the world premiere of Clyde 'n Bonnie: A Folktale or in 2010 when we produced the first post-Broadway production of A Catered Affair, Aurora is cultivating a national reputation with new musicals. The Drowsy Chaperone is full of show-stopping numbers, and because the show is so new, the comedy is contemporary and not dated. It is a really fun show."

Programming in Aurora Theatre's 2012-2013 Main Stage Season is possible through generous support from Metro Waterproofing and the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund. The Drowsy Chaperone is sponsored by Allgood Pest Solutions with additional support from World Financial Group.