“The Drowsy Chaperone”, a hilarious spoof about 1920s American musical comedy set in both the present day and the roaring twenties, won 2006 Tony awards for both Best Book and Best Score.

This clever show-within-a-show centers around a reclusive Broadway theater buff, who while listening to a record from his favorite 1928 musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” sees his dingy, New York City apartment transformed before his eyes into a Broadway set of the fictional musical with all of its characters, glitz and glam.  The “Man in Chair” narrates, sharing his perspective and recollections of “The Drowsy Chaperone” and even, at times, becomes part of the show without the cast knowing it.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” is directed by Steve Duprey, now in his twelfth year of directing plays and musicals at NHS. NHS vocal music teacher Jean Bendix is the musical director; Emily Howard is the choreographer; NHS instrumental music teacher Dave Schwind is director of the pit band; and Mary Lou Bonnell is the piano accompanist.

The cast includes: Ryan Tracy as Man in Chair; Spencer Edmonds as Robert Martin; Jon Norris as “Aldolpho; Sam Wersinger as Underling; Tyre Smith as Mr. Feldzieg; Curtis Mason as George, Matthew Fedczuk as Gangster 1; Grant Howard as Gangster 2; Hannah Rothpearl as Janet Van de Graafff; Ashley Farley as The Drowsy Chaperone; Kathryn Brinkman as Mrs. Tottendale; Marina Ruffalo as Kitty; and Megan Kreuser as Trix the Avaitrix.

The ensemble includes: Kayla Baylard, Nelson Betances, Sherisse Briggs, Alexa Bushart, Mari Caporaso, Cyndi Coleman, Riley Collins, Tori Cramer, Makalah Crawford, Maria DeRenzo, Ethan Erway, Amanda Fagner, Brianna Ferguson, Alison Hoe, Elizabeth Kline, Bethany Kommer, Kaitlyn Lyman, Shea Matz, McKenna Martin, Brittney Morrison, Ricky Partridge, Alice Rosario, Bink Saligupta

 The stage managers are Bri Adkins, Marleah Cunningham and the crew includes: Stu Blodgett, Kelly Bundschuh, Anthony Diamond, Catherine Erway, Andrew Garrett, Alana Greco, Ryan Kreuser, Joey Ruffalo, Dan Staples, Brittany Williams and Meghan Wright.

Location: Newark High School auditorium, 7:30 p.m. March 1 and 2 and 2:00 p.m. March 3.

Tickets: $5 for students and senior citizens, $7 for adults, available at the Newark Wegmans, Reliant Credit Union and the door

Senior citizens may attend the final dress rehearsal of the “The Drowsy Chaperone” at 3:30 pm Feb. 28 followed by a $6 dinner (chicken parmesan, rice pilaf, California mixed vegetables, salad, rolls, cookies, coffee, tea or milk) in the NHS cafeteria for seniors wishing to participate. Make a reservation for dinner by Feb. 26 by calling Deb Barry at 332-3265.