By Kevin Jiang
Hitting a high note during rehearsal – The cast of The Drowsy Chaperone shares a laugh with directors Mr. Marr and Dr. Levy.
It is widely known that Theatre South annually produces high quality Broadway musicals, plays, and operas with its own interpretations, and this year continues the tradition.
Although the school year is just beginning, Theatre South is already working diligently on its newest production – The Drowsy Chaperone, which has been performed on Broadway and has won a number of Tony Awards. The musical will be performed 7:30 p.m. on Nov 22 and 23.
The Drowsy Chaperone’s plot revolves around an old man who lives alone in his apartment and listens nostalgicalyy to tunes from 1920s musicals. When the elderly gentleman begins to play an unknown record on his phonograph, his room is transformed into a 1920s fantasy world where he meets characters from that time period.
Theatre South’s director Mr. Marr is pleased with the dedication of  the students, especially those who are new to Theatre South. “We have a large freshman class that is showing a big interest in theatre; in fact, we had the largest number of kids come to audition for it last week, just around 60 kids,” Mr. Marr said.
As with many other Theatre South productions, The Drowsy Chaperone also involves the cooperation of other departments and faculty members of the school.
Mr. Schwartz,  the head of the performing arts department, is the band director and conductor of the musical production. Mr. Motchkavitz, the head of the business and technology department, and his crew are in charge of the lighting and set design.
“I enjoy putting the various pieces of a musical together. I look forward to seeing the acting, singing, choreography, staging and orchestra come together to create musical theatre,” Mr. Schwartz said.
Although the production process appears seamless, it is not without obstacles.
One of the biggest challenges that Theatre South faces is the recreation of the fantasy world within the musical. Both the actors and the director need time and practice to truly bring out this fantasy element on stage.
“Everything that happens in the musical takes place in his imagination; we have to make this world as colorful and as fun as possible,” Mr. Marr said.