'The Drowsy Chaperone' opens this weekend at Avon Theatre

Clinton County Showcase will present "The Drowsy Chaperone" on Aug. 6-9 at Avon Theatre.    The 36th season of Clinton County Showcase will continue this weekend with "The Drowsy Chaperone."
    The show will run Aug. 6 - 9 with performances at 8 p.m. Aug. 6, 7, and 8 and a performance at 2 p.m. on Aug. 9. All shows will be at the Avon Theatre in Breese.
Sean Thomas will play "The Man in Chair" for Clinton County Showcase's upcoming production of "The Drowsy Chaperone."    "The Drowsy Chaperone" is a charming and whimsical musical of the 1920s. It opens with a solitary narrator, referred to as "The man in Chair," who invited the audience into his small apartment to listen to his favorite cast recording. As the record spins, the musical comes to life right in his living room.
    The plot centers around a glamorous wedding day that's humorously interrupted by a series of misunderstandings and unexpected guests. Key characters include a Broadway star bride eager to leave the stage for married life, her dashing groom, a forgetful chaperone, and a pair of bumbling gangsters disguised as pastry chefs.
    With its playful pastiche of musical theater tropes, catchy songs, and lively dance numbers, the show is both a love letter to and a parody of the musical genre. It humorously explores themes of love, escapism, and the transformative power of theater.
    The production is noted for its vibrant costumes, energetic choreography, and a witty script that keeps audiences laughing throughout. It's a delightful experience for theater lovers and newcomers alike, offering both nostalgia and fresh humor.
From left, John Wilson (George), Nif Klostermann (Drowsy Chaperone) and Lou Breckel (Janet Van De Graaff) rehearse for "The Drowsy Chaperone."    Jennifer "Nif" Klostermann will star as the Drowsy Chaperone. Sean Thomas will be "The Man in Chair." Patrick Niemeyer will play Robert Martin, and Lou Breckel will play Janet Van De Graaff.
    Sarah Niemeyer will play Kitty; Heather Holland will play Mrs. Tottendale; Steve Klostermann - Adolpho; Eric Buscher - Underling; John Wilson - George; Emma Vinson - Trix the Aviatrix; Cale Loddeke - Feldzieg; Ben Canizales - gangster one; Nick Mueth- gangster two; and Mike Nuxoll will play superintendent.
    Delenn Robinson, Abby Johnson, Angela Nuxoll and Tiesha Klostermann will be the maids/ensemble.
    The show is directed by Therese Melnykov and the assistant director is Beth Augistin-Niemeyer. Leah Loddeke is the vocal director. The chorographers are Sarah Niemeyer and Therese Melnykov. Eric Wennlund is in charge of lightning design and Artem Melnykov is the light board director. Alexis Strieker-Ford and Beth Augustin-Niemeyer are sound design and Sophia Mungai is sound operator. Isabelle Tripp is mic mixer. Paige Galligos, Jennifer Klostermann and Therese Melnykov are in charge of costumes. Chefs Nick Mueth and Ben Canizales speak with Kitty played by Sarah Niemeyer. Therese Melnykov is in charge of props. The backstage assistant is Emma Vinson. Therese Melnykov is set design and Nick Nueth is master carpenter.
   Carpenters include Brian Niemeyer, Patrick Niemeyer, Mike Nuxoll, Angela Nuxoll, Steven Christ, Steve Klostermann, Jennifer Klostermann, Cale Loddeke and Artem Melnykov.
    Painters are Therese Melnykov, Leah Loddeke, Lou Breckel, Tristin Brown, John Wilson and Eric Buscher.
    The next Clinton County production will be "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" on Oct 2-4 and Oct. 9-11.