With the conclusion of the musical season, the theater and music students of Southern Lehigh were sure to “show off” their talents in this year’s production of “The Drowsy Chaperone.” The musical ran from March 4 to March 8, excluding March 5 due to weather.

“The whole cast and crew this time really pulled everything together to make this show a success,” sophomore Garrison Piel said. “I’m happy with our performance.”

The story is narrated by an unnamed Man in Chair as he listens to a record of his favorite musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which tells the story of Janet Van de Graaf, a glamorous Broadway star who is preparing to give up her life of fame to marry Robert Martin. Things go into a frenzy when her producer desperately tries to convince her to remain in showbusiness and Janet questions Robert’s love. Featured are gangsters-guised-as-pastry-chefs, a european womanizer, an anxious best man, an eccentric host and her sarcastic underling, a sassy aviatrix, and of course, Janet’s alcoholic chaperone.

“One of the best parts of performing this particular show was getting feedback from the audience, for example, hearing people laugh after a joke was told, or hearing complete silence when Man in Chair cries at the end,” sophomore Caleigh Schmid, who played Mrs. Tottendale, said. “Every time an audience member reacts to something you do or say, it’s like a shot of adrenaline.”

Not only does “The Drowsy Chaperone” tell the story of Janet and Robert, but it also follows the emotional journey of the Man in Chair, an agoraphobic, heartbroken man suffering from a case of “the blues.” Whenever he is blue, he listens to his musicals, finding solace in their optimistic stories and cheerful yet ultimately human tunes. As the musical progresses, the audience gets more and more glimpses of the Man in Chair’s sorrows and ideals.

“My favorite part about the character was that he was very animated and funny. He was funny in the sense that he was such a ridiculous role that you couldn’t help but laugh,” senior Austin Piel, who played the role of Man in Chair, said. “I felt as if I could really get into the character and had a lot of freedom onstage to do what I felt fit the character.”

Filled with jazzy beats and frivolous lyrics, this musical swerved from this fall’s classic “Sound of Music” and takes the audience on a comedic ride to the 1920s. The songs are clever and the cast pulled them off incredibly well. They ranged from Janet’s showy and flashy, “Show Off,” the Chaperone’s belty and powerful, “As We Stumble Along,” and Robert and George’s crowd-pleasing tap number “Cold Feets.”

“It was a funny show that featured humorous songs, rather than a more serious production with beautiful but serious ballads,” Schmid said. “It was very high energy and very tiring to do, but probably the show that I’ve had the most fun being a part of.”

Piel and Schmid were joined by a talented student cast.  Senior Maddie Hallman made her debut as Janet Van de Graaf alongside Luke Simons as Robert Martin, and Giuliana Augello as The Drowsy Chaperone. Ryan Harding played the loyal best man George, and junior Chris Smith sent the audience laughing as the European Adolpho. The producer Mr. Feldzieg, played by senior Kolbi Harding, and Kitty, played by senior Octavia Fitzmaurice, caused chaos alongside the gangsters, played by senior Noah White and junior Gavin Sullivan. Sophomores Garrison Piel played the Underling to Mrs. Tottendale creating a comical duo. Sophomore Lexi Brown tied the knot as Trix the Aviatrix.

“Playing the part of The Drowsy Chaperone was very exciting, since it has actually been a dream role of mine for quite some time now,” sophomore Giuliana Augello said. “I really enjoyed the scenes I was a part of and the creation process of who The Drowsy Chaperone truly is as a person. Some challenges were tapping into a more mature part of myself in order to play an older character, as well as preparing my voice for the rousing song I had to sing.”

Though the show may be over, the cast and crew of “The Drowsy Chaperone” left the stage with wonderful memories and lasting friendships. They look forward to the Freddy Award nominations in May.

“It was bittersweet because it was a ton of fun, yet it was my last show here at Southern Lehigh,” Piel said, “but I’m very excited to come back next year to see what Mr. Wehr comes up with.”