You have to keep in mind that
The Drowsy Chaperone is a
spoof of 1920s musicals. Many shows of that period had racially insensitive numbers in them - "Shufflin' Sam" from Kern's
Sitting Pretty comes to mind, as does "Clap Yo' Hands" from Gershwin's
Oh, Kay! Spoofing a form means spoofing its components, so
Drowsy ridicules the racism of '20s musicals via "Cold Feets." (I actually think that the "Message from a Nightingale" number is a little off-period for
Drowsy, since its most obvious inspiration is
The King and I, which dates from twenty or thirty years later.) I would hope that audiences should be able to pick up on the fact that
Drowsy is not itself racist, but is in fact
ridiculing a form of racism.
But then, over the years so many people have failed to understand that "It Depends on What You Pay" from
The Fantasticks uses the word "rape" not in the sense of a sexual assault but in its more archaic form referring to a kidnapping (as in Pope's "The Rape of the Lock") that the authors wrote an alternate song that may be substituted in productions.
Ultimately, the audience decides. If your audience wouldn't get what
Drowsy is doing in those numbers, best to avoid it. If you can trust that they
will get the joke, well, my school had a lot of fun with the show and got no complaints. A recent college production in our area used a cast that was almost half African-American and had no problems.
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Jeff Grove
Theatre Teacher, Aesthetics Department Chair
Stanton College Preparatory School
Jacksonville FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-01-2014 15:56
From: Emilee Cruchelow
Subject: Funniest Shows: Plays or Musicals
I did the Drowsy Chaperone with my community theatre last summer.It is a wonderful and funny show. It was a big hit with the community. Another high school near us did the same show a year ago and had a great turn out.
Although I can see where the song "Message from a Nightingale" could be seen as offensive, I do think it's all in good fun. "Cold Feets" is simply a song about the groom getting 'cold feet' before his wedding and trying to shake his nerves.
We had a great response with this show. It was tons of fun to be in apart of and to watch. We did not get any complaints. I think its a very good choice for a high school to perform.
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Emilee Cruchelow
Indianola IA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-01-2014 15:02
From: Michael Bergman
Subject: Funniest Shows: Plays or Musicals
Doesn't The Drowsy Chaperone have a "minstrel number" ("Cold Feets") and a stereotype "Asian number" ("Message from a Nightingale)? Maybe I'm being a little overly PC but I can't see making these numbers work without offending someone in the community.
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Michael Bergman
Teacher/Director
Alexandria VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2014 13:57
From: Maison Kelly
Subject: Funniest Shows: Plays or Musicals
The Drowsy Chaperone is absolutely hysterical. It's perfect for high schools because of the very very minimal set, and it's completely clean. Most musical theatre fans can relate to the main character, The Man in Chair, but it is a perfect musical for the non-theatre lover as well. The characters are simply ridiculous, but it is also very heartwarming. I would say that it is the ultimate high school musical! (Very side-splitting.)
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Maison Kelly
Dallas TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-14-2014 18:16
From: Jared Grigsby
Subject: Funniest Shows: Plays or Musicals
It's no doubt that people enjoy a well-performed comedy. I did Almost, Maine this past fall, but many didn't care for it in the community. One lady at the end came up and said, "I really prefer the comedies, but this was pretty good." So, what are some of the best comedies you've produced or seen? I had a great time with The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, an audience favorite. Other than that, I've not produced a side-splitting show.
Thanks!
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Jared Grigsby
English and Journalism Teacher / Drama Director
MSD of Boone Township
Valparaiso IN
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