The Drowsy Chaperone

November 17th, 2005
Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles
Musical


Clever artifice and immaculate art direction, lots of gimmicks. Clever writing in places. Wonderful sets. Ideal casting for the lead actor (he was charming, natural, engaging and warm). But as far as musicals go, very thin.

Because its music was so authentically 1920ish, it lacked modern appeal (unlike Thoroughly Modern Millie, which managed not to lose the feeling of the 20's and yet used a modern Broadway sensibility). Agruably necessary for the format though. A couple cute, mildly catchy songs, but the rest are average. Sutton Foster was wasted in this.

2 hours, no intermission!! We both agreed we couldn't sit through it again. It's always about the music for me... and it was average at best, musically. Even if they do some major tightening before landing on Bway, the music is still blandly old-fashioned. It tries really hard, but needs better songs.