JHStheaterarts Mission Statement

The Jenkintown High School Theater Arts Program is dedicated to nurturing and developing the talents of the Jenkintown High School student body and providing a safe and creative environment where the artists can cultivate their craft within a supportive and caring community.

2019 The Philadelphia Independence Awards



Adjudicator Highlights from the 2019 production of The Drowsy Chaperone

Performance


11/23 Saturday 2:30 p.m.
The cast's energy and enthusiasm was wonderful to see.
The comedic timing of the Man in the Chair, and the actor's relationship to the rest of the action was excellent, the choice to have him join the actors on stage in favorite moments was lovely and incredibly funny.  Experiment with blocking choices that take action from always being down-center to maintain variety.  This cast had the vocals in them to hit those big notes at the end of songs and phrases but it seemed on occasion they would stop shy of fully nailing a show stopping note

11/22 Friday 7:30 p.m.
Henry Gifford as The Man in the Chair is perhaps the top-of-mind reason to see this show. The fact that he could hold the attention of the entire audience and make us laugh on a one-man show basis speaks to his strength as a performer. Laura Dibble opposite Chris Higham was another real pair of standout performances in this show. They were both hilarious on their own and seeing them play and sing opposite each other was a joy. Merrick Mangan as George brought a noticeable lift in energy and professionalism when he appeared on stage in the opening number, and carried it through each time he appeared on stage.


11/22 Friday 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Gifford's portrayal of the Man in the Chair was an absolute delight from start to finish. The time he took with each joke and the intricacies of how he paced the show was bounds beyond what one would expect from a performer his age. Additionally, he treated nuanced of the character development with grace and subtlety.
Ms. Ali showcased unique, supported acting choices, and Ms. Dibble's Chaperone sounded lovely on her songs. 
Mr. Higham's Aldolpho felt like a master class in comedic timing. He thoroughly understood the absurdity of his character and the circumstances, and was incredibly consistent in his choices. There was no confusion in who he was or what he was about – perhaps this is what happens when the part is purposefully written as a racial stereotype, but Mr. Higham still managed to find the complexity and the variance within this, which shows he has a true understanding of the style and commitment to comedy.
Something about Mr. Sobolewski's character voice for the super was utterly charming. It was the only moment when the musical comedy transcended itself, and it felt like the Man in Chair's world was now a kitschy musical comedy. Ms. Zakrzwski had a unique challenge that she tackled with poise.
Ms. Pettit was a delight as Trix.





11/22/Friday 7:30 p.m.
Henry Gifford as Man in the Chair gave a strong performance as the constant throughout the performance. He guided the audience with his charm and infectious smile through a wonderful journey. The difficulty in this role for a teenager is portraying the age; for a young actor, he is well on the way to building a greater sense of comedic timing.
Zachary Pacuraru as Robert Martin deserves kudos for putting himself out there and tap dancing with a smile on his face!
Merrick Mangan as George had a great energy on the stage and made sure to use his minimal lines for memorable moments.
Chris Higham as Adolpho was the comedic standout of the night. His full use of his voice and body to create the character of Adolpho was not missed. He commanded the stage and made his presence known.  Aden Dubin as Feldzieg gave a very strong performance. His energy was infectious and his comedic timing was rarely ever missed.
Marielle Zakrzwski as Mrs. Tottendale had a wonderful charm to her on stage. Her infectious smile and energy were a joy to watch. Her consistency with her choice of voice should also be praised.
Sophie Pettit as Trix was a wonderful surprise as a very strong vocalist. Her infectious smile and great energy were missed throughout the rest of the show. Nick Sobolewski as The Super gave a standout performance for his short stage time. His voice and energy provided a wonderful moment on stage.

11/22 7:30 p.m. Friday
This cast was comedy gold! They found the silliest moments in the show and knocked them out of the park. Each character had a defined personality and had figured out how they interacted with the other personalities on the stage.
For example, it would have been interesting to see the gangsters/pastry chefs and servants interacting in the scene in ways that kept them true to the characterization they were developing in other scenes. Underling's neutral expression in the dance numbers is similar to what I am speaking to here. Short of that, I was truly impressed with the energy and humor this cast brought on stage.

11/23 2:30 p.m.
The Man in Chair was awesome. I thought that the character that Gifford created was relatable, and comedic timing was spot on. Even when he was sitting and observing moments on stage, I could still feel that he was present. I loved watching him react to events and occurred on stage. I also liked how he was able to portray the fact that he knows the show, but still retains the wonder of seeing it for the first time. Gilford was not afraid of building a relationship with the audience. I felt that I was spending time with a friend, and Gifford was able to create such a fun experience. I thought Pacuraru did a great job of creating a 1920's style of a leading man. I thought his tap solo was outstanding. He had a strong voice, and I could tell he was having fun from the moment he stepped out on stage. I commend his skills on the skates. I loved the commercial toothpaste smile.




Ali was such a pleasure to watch on stage. She was playing up the audience, and I could see how comfortable she was with the role. It was hilarious seeing her switch quickly between emotions and showing such range with her acting. She had a strong voice and put expression into every song.

Higham stepped into the role of Adolpho. He used his whole body and voice to create his character. He was fearless when using his range for the song Adolpho. I loved the "campiness" he created for the role, and it worked exceptionally well.

The relationship between Tottendale and Underling was excellent. They had great timing and worked well off of each other. I loved how committed to the choices Zakrzwski made with Mrs. Tottendale. I thought she had a strong voice, and it was beautiful. I felt she and Gifford had this beautiful moment when she picked up to play the song "As We Stumble Along." They made this connection, and although it was subtle, it was able to tell a whole story and create a powerful ending.

Dibble was great. I thought through every song; she kept her character first. I loved how, in the opening song Fancy Dress and creating loose and floppy controlled movements. I thought she did a great job during Stumble Along. I loved how she was able to discover and create moments where she was allowing the words to come naturally from her.

Some of my favorite moments were when Man in Chair inserted himself into songs, like the "Bride's Lament." I thought it was an excellent skill for the two actors to display such contrasting emotions for the song and not overshadow the other. I think the monkeys had a menacing presence, but still had an air of hilarity to them.

The bakers during "Toledo Surprise" were funny. I think that the cast worked well together. I could see the hard work that was put in by every member of the group. There were one or two moments where some members of the cast looked a bit unsure about a part. I think being confident in everything that you do, even if there is a mistake, really helps sell a piece. I think everyone in the cast did a fantastic job.

11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
One of the things that caught my eye was the Drowsy Chaperone herself. She did a very nice job in her part, but I thought she was excellent in the ensemble numbers. Her smile and enthusiasm really made her stand out.

11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
This show hinges on the performance of the man in the chair. If he is not strong the whole show falls apart. I am happy to report that this was not the case here. The man in the chair was delightful.





His comic timing was great and even when he wasn't the focus of the scene I kept looking over to see his reactions. He was singing along in certain spots and was dancing in his seat. He was the best part of this show.
Janet was very strong. I don't want to show off was a fabulous introduction to this character and she pulled it off effortlessly. She had great chemistry with every member of the cast and she did a wonderful job.
I also enjoyed the performance by Robert. He did a great job. His dancing was great and it always makes me nervous when the scene where he is blind folded and on roller skates, but he did it all with ease. I really liked his character and was rooting for him to get the girl.

I loved Aldopho. He seemed like he was having a great time and I could not take my eyes off of him any time he was on stage. He took the material and really sunk his teeth into it for such a great character part. EXCELLENT job!

11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
From the moment I walked in, I appreciated the opened curtain that revealed the set before the start of the show. I also liked the music from the 1920's playing. It set the mood for the show and allowed the audience to feel as if they were already part of the production. I think your casting for this show was appropriate. The stand-out actor was clearly Henry Gifford. The role of "Man in Chair" is not easy as he is responsible for setting the tone of the show and accountable for engaging the audience throughout the production. I thought Henry did a great job at understanding comedic timing and reading the audience. Chris Higham also did a great job at portraying Adolpho. He is one of the more memorable characters from the show and Chris had a presence on stage that the audience looked forward to seeing. He also did a great job reading the audience and making us laugh several times.
I'd also like to congratulate Zachary and Laura for creating relatable characters to an audience mostly made of adults. 
Props to Zachary learning the tap routines! It was evident he worked very hard on those numbers.

11/21 7:30 p.m.
Let me begin with a couple direct quotes from my notes: "I love Kitty's energy on stage!" "The Man in Chair has great timing, really great interpretation of the character!" "Aldolpho, good comedic timing!" "Robert, great coordination in Accident Waiting to Happen!" The Drowsy Chaperone at Jenkintown had some really fun performance moments and it was a great choice for this particular group of students. They all seemed to be really enjoying every minute of this quirky show.











Mr. Gifford really shined in this performance. He had great timing and his physicality of this excited old man was really splendid to watch. He was incredibly engaging and had a measured approach in breaking the 4th wall that is difficult for an actor of any age. The vocals overall were on par for high school performers. While most of the vocal numbers were adequate for this particular show, there were moments where it was clear that the students are still experimenting with their vocal range and abilities. I was really glad to see that this did not stop the students from giving every number their full energy. Every student on stage had great stage presence, even if their voices were wavering or struggling to find their pitch. I have just a couple specific notes on the performance.

I'd love to see the actors have more freedom to adjust the stage picture on the fly. There were quite a few moments where all of the actors stood in a line across the stage. This happens with newer actors, however, I think that some improvisational games may help the students be able to self -identify when this is happening and adjust on the fly. There is a game called "Sit, Stand, Lean" where three actors perform a long form improvisational scene where there must always be one actor sitting, one standing, and one leaning on something. As one actor feels the urge to stand or move, the other actors have to adjust in real time to keep the game going, but also justify their movements. It can help the students learn to read the stage picture as a whole. Also, you can play a long-form Monkey in the Middle. You have three actors perform a long-form improvisational scene where one actor must stay "between" the other two actors from the audience perspective (so not in a line per-say, the middle actor can be upstage of the other two or downstage). These are just some fun games to play in class that secretly teach some of these stage picture skills that will help give the students a common vocabulary when blocking. If you see everyone in a line, assign someone to be the "Monkey" and let them walk through the blocking with that in mind. It will dramatically increase the actors' agency over the stage picture and blocking process.

11/22 7:30 p.m. Friday
It all comes down to the Man in Chair, doesn't it? Henry Gifford was superb in this role. I had heard good things about "The Drowsy Chaperone," but had not seen it until Friday. Your production made the wait worthwhile. Almost everyone got to play their role broadly, which made it easier than usual to cast and direct, I imagine, since everyone likes to overplay. Gifford and Chris Higham were the standouts. Yusra Ali and Laura Dibble were not far behind,

11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
What a delightful production! I was thoroughly entertained by your lovely cast. I thought all of the performers - lead, supporting, and featured - were talented. Henry Gifford, Yusra Ali, and Chris Higham stood out in particular. Yusra had a beautiful voice and captured the affected Janet Van der Graaf well.






I did wonder if there were other gestures she could have done with her hands and arms, but in the mocking way of performers of the 1920s, perhaps her arm gestures were spot on. Chris Higham's timing was perfect as Aldolpho, not to mention he did a wonderful job of singing "I Am Aldopho." That's not an easy song to sing and he nailed it. And that leaves Henry Gifford, who was positively fabulous. His comedic timing was also spot on, and he did a wonderful job of capturing the sincerity of a man whose only joy in life is musicals.
The dance ensembles - the Bride's Lament Monkeys and Feldzieg and the Gangsters - were a lot of fun and funny. The gangsters, next to Henry and Chris, were among my favorite characters. They also had great comedic timing, which may be partly why they stood out.

11/21 7:30 p.m. Thursday
I had an opportunity to see some really wonderful performances in The Drowsy Chaperone: Henry, Marielle, Daniel, Chris, Yusra, Nick… and the ending of TDC was priceless. In Henry, all along, you've had this vulnerable, dear, sweet man, who for two hours, enthralled us – the audience - with his rapture about musical theater, and then. . . . there is a knock on the door. (Yikkes!) Enter Nick, spouting Cats and all the theater greats.

Nick is Henry's theater parallel, another musical aficionado. This Cats loving apartment superintendent is more than willing to engage with a Man in Chair not on a fake, but on a real life level.

Hush ! The fevered imaginary pitch in Henry's head dies down. What's the Man to do? Relate (as he has related, lovingly, with all his imaginary characters)? Nope. Distance himself. Return to his inner revelry.

A message, and a well done show, Jenkintown. The entire cast pulled off this show, and especially the dramatic ending, marvelously. The ending (with Nick's approach to Henry, and the rebuff), was hilarious, as was, the cane drop and the record skip. (What a directorial coup.)

About the lead, Henry G., I would say that if his singing voice could match his comedic timing, he would one day be playing Broadway. Evan Hanson? There were times, during the show, when I thought, perhaps, Henry should pick up the pace a little bit, but then, at the same moment, I thought, "what actor has the presence of mind and confidence to proceed at this pace, and also hold an audience's attention, like Henry can?" (In high school, none that I know of.) So I wouldn't suggest that Henry do anything to his comedy. (Now, there was one thing about Henry's Man that I enjoyed, and could have enjoyed more of: Henry's idiosyncrasies when his back was turned to the audience, when "no one was watching," like the times when he was getting tea or a drink from the kitchen.) Overall, I thought Henry's performance was iconic and, just like I wouldn't suggest a thing to Hugh Grant, I was enthralled with Henry's entire performance. An icon is an icon.





Reflection on Nick: In his smaller role, Nick captured the Super's character, like a SNL professional would have done. Dana Garvey in high school? The truly wonderful things about both the performances of Henry and Nick in the Drowsy Chaperone was their vulnerability. They were brilliant. They were unique and wonderful. They invited you to laugh at them, but you wouldn't. You could only laugh with them, because each was such a sweet, engaging, human being. The characterizations by Henry and Nick remind us all, that we have quirks, and these differences are to be celebrated. Inspirational performances by both actors



Technical

11/23 Saturday 2:30 p.m.
This group worked hard on designing and building/shopping set, costumes and props, and it showed. If it is possible, I would encourage a blackout for scene changes, to help transitions to be a little cleaner.
The sound mixing was effective although I would work to ensure that mics are turned on during all solos, as at times cues appeared to be missed. The makeup design was excellent, and all actors looked period-appropriate and features were effectively enhanced.

11/22 Friday 7:30 p.m.
The oven set piece and its use as an entrance was truly something stunning to see in its execution, as was the airplane in the finale. Truly good job to the set construction and props departments. It was jarring, however, the frequency with which we would see the crew (wearing all black) moving set pieces on and offstage amid the characters. That would occasionally take me out of the show. I would recommend, if those entrances are unavoidable, that the crew be in a low-fuss costume, so as to blend better with the show

11/22 7:30 p.m. Friday
I was happy to see how effortlessly the plane came together, and the speed with which it was brought on stage and assembled shows that the students used problem-solving skills and worked effortlessly as a team.
The lights, as previously mentioned, were nice and served their purpose. The use of isolated lights for the sconces on the walls, and cuing them separately, was a sophisticated touch. More splashes of color would have been welcome – it's a musical comedy, so the Broadway Pink gel (R339) was begging to be used in multiple numbers. The sound was a low point, but not in the way that one might expect. I actually found the sound system to be quite nice with clear frequencies.








Very rarely did a microphone pop or did something get cut out, and at no point did a battery die. The biggest concern was how microphones were turned on while actors were off stage at multiple points during the production!

Sound is often touted as the trickiest technical theatre component, and increased diligence on microphone power will do you wonders in creating a smooth production.

All make-up and hair were perfectly period, and not a hair was out of place. Aldolpho's moustache was perfectly pastiche. Additionally, the hair was integrated nicely into the costumes (specifically Drowsy's turban, Kitty and Janet's headbands, etc.) which is often difficult, and Tottendale's wig was nicely kept and fit her well. Review of the department's Instagram shows that a lot of time and effort was taken to publicize the show on social media. Creative videos and behind the scenes snapshots are the kind of things modern societies love.

11/22 7:30p.m. Friday
I would like to compliment the Stage Crew for their design in the set and attention to period details. The props were period and the design as well. Additionally, the set allowed space for performance and also set the scene wonderfully. • The Marketing & Publicity team did a terrific job with filling their Instagram page with fun contests and enticing photos/videos. The consistent posting and updates along the whole process were very well captured on the Instagram. Based off the number of likes, the Instagram page was clearly reaching a good amount of people. Additionally, the advertising for the SNAP Raise on the Instagram was obviously successful based off the amount of money raised.  Makeup and Hair team did a wonderful job in their research of hairstyles of the period.

All of the scene changes were smooth and efficient. I would have liked it if all of the maids did all of the scene changes. I think that would have helped me stay in the story more. • The sound for the show never had any problems. The mics and the orchestra were very well balanced and there was never any feedback. I want to give a huge shout out for all the record player sound cues; those were always right on time. • Overall, the lighting was effective. For the simplicity of lighting provided in the theater, the lighting team did a great job making most of what they have.

11/22 7:30 p.m. Friday
The stage management was well done - all props and transitions seemed nearly flawlessly executed on stage. The design felt realistic for an apartment and also useful as a stage for the show-within-a-show. I was also quite impressed by the makeup and hair design, as things were realistic for the time period and looked appropriate on stage. If I hadn't known better, I'd say your Aldolpho really had a mustache!







There were, unfortunately, several noticeable issues with sound during the show I saw, including some hot mics from offstage actors and/or stage crew that interrupted a scene or transition/silence. Lighting seemed adequate for the scenes but lacked any meaningful, noticeable transition to differentiate areas of the stage or to emphasize the mood. I would encourage the light crew in particular to think about how their job goes beyond simply providing light and how they can almost be another actor on the stage by using lighting in unique ways

11/23 2:30 p.m.
The sound for the show was exceptionally on point. I thought the sound effects were well-timed and very clear. There was a small issue with the mics at the beginning, but it was fixed quickly and seamlessly. I thought everyone could be heard well and clear at all times. I loved the creation of the Airplane. Everyone moved so quickly that it was fun watching the pieces come together.

I did like how everyone worked together to get the stage together, and I thought it was a creative move to have the shift crew to be dressed and the Maids and serving staff. It worked with the world created for the show. I feel that there were one or two changes that could have been a bit faster. Overall, I thought everything went exceptionally well.

The hair and makeup for the show were beautiful; I could see the research that went into creating each look. I loved the curls that were in Kitty's hair. I loved the Lulu used for The Chaperone. I thought it was a fun touch. I thought everyone's look was accurate and reflected the status of each character.

I enjoyed the programs. I thought it was extremely creative and fun to add the recipe for Toledo Surprise. It was a great touch and added to the overall fun of the show. I also loved the buttons. They were well made, and it was an excellent momentum to have.

The lights for the show perfect. Every cue was on time, and I think that the use of spots was timed perfectly. I could tell that there was a lot of work put into the show.

11/23 2:30 p.m.
It was a nice and well -functioning set and all of the transitions were smooth and kept the show moving, even the assembly of the airplane, so the stage crew did a very good job. Never having seen the show before, I don't know if entering through the oven is standard, but it was a nice touch.

11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
This set was beautiful. The details were great and it really looked like an apartment. The extra props that were on display added to the motif and the items that were hung really made it come to life. I also liked the stove effect where the characters came out. Excellent job!







The airplane was great! The execution of getting it on stage during a song and putting it together was a great example of how well this cast and crew worked together to make it come alive on stage! The only problem I had with light was that there was a dark spot DSR where many characters would sing and they were not well lit, while the other side with the man in the chair was lit very well. The actors did not let it affect their performance and the lights eventually came up more, but some songs did start in a darkened corner of the stage. Sound was great! The effects and the mics that the actors wore were executed correctly. Everyone and everything could be heard clearly.

11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
I really enjoyed seeing the set and hearing the music upon walking in to the theater. I loved the wall sconces and the appliance that opened up to reveal the characters. It worked well. I also noticed the rotary phone on the wall and couldn't help but wonder if members of the cast knew how to use it!
I thought the costumes were very reflective of the characters. I especially liked Janet Van de Graaf's "roaring 20's" flapper style dress. I was distracted, however, by some of the actors' mic packs showing. Wearing a mic belt underneath the costumes would avoid having them show to the audience.
There were some sound issues, i.e. mics on backstage, volume, etc. As far as lighting, I would've liked to have seen more of a spotlight on the Henry while he was sitting in his chair. I noticed the crew moving set pieces on stage too many times because the FOH lights, including Henry's spot, were hitting them. I appreciate that students are running sound and lighting. Therefore, mistakes are going to happen. It's just when a student talks backstage and the audience hears it, it's going to be memorable.

11/23 2:30 p.m. Friday
I thought the technical end of the production was particularly strong. The lightning and sound stood out among the elements. I liked the contrast in lighting between the Man in the Chair's home and the world of the musical. I also felt that the performers were well lit throughout, and I loved the use of the flashlight.

The sound was even stronger. There may have been one moment during the performance where someone's microphone was on backstage, but it was quickly handled. Otherwise, I was impressed by the selection of sound effects and the cuing of said effects. If there was ever a moment where something was off cue, I never noticed. It all seemed seamless. Kudos to the sound team.

Finally, I thought the stage crew was efficient, and I am impressed by the ability, not only to hide the airplane but to assemble it in a timely and unobtrusive fashion, and Stephanie Maddox and Ambar Guzman did a great job of capturing the 20s look with the makeup and the hairstyles






11/21 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Technically, The Drowsy Chaperone was a very smart production. Scene changes- check: seamless. The opening parade of entrances and introductions, through the oven - a "wow" factor. The final numbers (before intermission and curtain call) with all their glitzes and glams – completely in keeping with the wonderful dream sequence feel of the musical.

The lighting was very effective. Lights out, voices in the dark, lights on, spotlight on Janet after that great disappearing act. I was content with the low ceiling effect of the studio apartment, I felt it. The isolation in a small personal space, but (and this is, I'm sure, easier said than done) would it have been possible to somehow give the feeling of an expanded space, when TDC was in full on dream/fantasy sequences?

Really enjoyed the phonograph mishaps!

Overall
11/23 Saturday 2:30 p.m.
It was a pleasure to watch these students perform.
This cast would benefit from an opportunity to learn how to emote and listen to each other, and from work on vocal blend and sharpness of choreography and formations.

11/22 7:30 p.m. Friday
It was a lovely evening at Jenkintown High School to see their production of The Drowsy Chaperone! I laughed out loud early and often — this was a truly good ensemble. With this cast helmed by an incredibly hilarious Man in the Chair, supported by such standouts as Aldolpho and the eponymous chaperone at the supporting level and George at the featured level. Tech elements like the oven and the airplane were great and supported this very funny show. Jenkintown High School should leave this weekend very proud of the show they brought to life.

11/22 Friday 7:30 p.m.
"The Drowsy Chaperone" was a lovely lesson in classical musical comedy. Students rose to the occasion and embraced the absurdity of what they were doing without hesitation. Mr. Gifford paced the show remarkably, and gave the audience a solid grounding point to always refer to for quick witticisms and commentary.

11/22 7:30 p.m. Friday
This was truly a laugh-out-loud funny evening, and I'm distinctly impressed by this cast's ability to portray the comedy of the scenes while not devolving into "random silliness." They maintained the flow of the script and played it as if it was real.









A few technical pieces of this production didn't quite click into place on the night I attended, but there were no major mishaps or glaring mistakes (besides the hot mics). I left the theatre after this show smiling and happy to tell everyone about it, which to me is the best kind of review one could have. An outstanding overall job to the Drowsy Chaperone company.

11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
I had such a fun time with this production. I loved the teamwork between the cast and the technical crew. The moments were the record would stop, and the cast would pause along with it, was pure skill and practice. I could see the hard work that everyone put into the show. I could tell that each member of the production worked to allow everyone to shine, and it was beautiful. I could tell there was trust amongst the group, and they let the audience become a part of the group.


11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
The overall production was enjoyable and a lot of fun and what more should you expect from a "musical within a comedy"? It was a very enthusiastic cast that kept its energy up throughout the performance, and the fun that they were having carried over to the audience


11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
I really enjoyed this performance. The cast and crew put on a great production that they should be proud of. The cast worked well together with getting the props and set pieces where they needed to be effortlessly and all transitions between scenes were very smooth. Once again, I really enjoyed the man in the chair. He really sets the mood for the show and he was great! He set the stage for a fun and lively show that the cast followed to take us all away for 2 hours. The space for dances seemed a little tight, but the choreography was great and really used all the space they had effectively.


11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Overall, I think the cast of TDC did a great job telling the story. It is a very comedic piece and isn't always easy to portray because of the countless references to the 1920's. It was humbling to read how much your community supports the arts. I suggest continue pushing boundaries in the shows that you choose to produce and focusing on vocals to stand out among other area productions. Bravo!









11/21 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Overall, The Drowsy Chaperone at Jenkintown was a really fun show. It was my first time ever seeing this production and I enjoyed every moment of it! It was fun, engaging, and the students' energy was palpable in the audience. There is room for improvement and learning, but this was a GREAT show choice for this group of students

11/22 7:30 p.m. Friday
All in all, a delightful production of a marvelous musical that's an excellent choice for high school. And a perfect casting of Henry Gifford as Man in Chair.

11/23 2:30 p.m. Saturday
While there were some issues with timing and pacing, I appreciated the energy and joy brought to the stage by The Drowsy Chaperone ensemble. I had a smile on my face throughout, laughed heartily, and may have gotten a bit teary-eyed at the end when the Man in the Chair joined the musical cast.


11/21 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Opening night at Jenkintown was actually a Eureka moment for me: literally, The Drowsy Chaperone is a two-man show. The Super is "life" and the Man in Chair is an allegory for today's abundant, obsessive use of the "internet." The Man in TDC populates the stage with unforgettable characters (who are actually figments of his imagination).

 Jenkintown presented a great show, and for me, the strengths of this show were the staging, the lighting, the choreography with the record player and the imaginative performances (but less by the imaginary characters, and more by the two "real" actors: the Man and the Super. (The character-portrayal by Daniel was terrific, and the singing and acting, both, of Marielle, Chris, Yusra, and Sophie were terrific also, very good).

I loved this show at Jenkintown! The performers filled the stage and made it seem like it was a far bigger production than it could be, considering the size of Jenkintown High School. The magic of theater!! There were many fine directorial choices, delivering great impact.

TDC was a stupendous production, an engaging metaphor, and a production where the sum truly was greater than The Drowsy Chaperone individual parts.


No comments:

Post a Comment