According to Lincoln Center's new LCT3 project at its slogan, it takes "New Audiences for New Artists." It also takes new critics, hence the establishment of Theater Talk's New Theater Corps in 2005, a way for up-and-coming theater writers and eager new theatergoers to get exposure to the ever-growing theater scene in New York City. Writers for the New Theater Corps are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the off-off and off-Broadway theater scene, learning and giving back high-quality reviews at the same time. Driven by a passion and love of the arts, the New Theater Corps aims to identify, support, and grow the arts community, one show and one person at a time.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

The Drowsy Chaperone by Flora Johnstone

The Drowsy Chaperone which opens May 1 at the Marquis Theatre is the most exciting thing to happen to Broadway in quite some time. Indeed it is a parody of the old school musical yet it is performed with such commitment, conviction, originality and style it is truly in class all its own. The play opens with a lone man sitting in a lazy boy chair. He addresses the audience directly admitting that he has the blues. The one thing he knows will cheer him up is to listen to the cast recording of one of his favorite musicals…The Drowsy Chaperone…

Bob Martin is beyond fantastic as “Man in Chair”, he is absolutely riveting. Throughout the show he sarcastically pokes fun at the history of the Great White Way all the while gushing about how much he enjoys it… lives for it really. The sheer joy on his face as he watches the show come to life before him is absolutely unforgettable.

Part of what makes this piece so great (outside of it being uproariously funny) is its ability to be tremendously relatable and touching to theatre lover and non alike. Who knew that the audience would find itself laughing and crying all at the same time? The costumes are beautiful, the direction precise and the ensemble cast top notch. Don’t miss out on seeing this show! It will no doubt be the talk of the season.

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