Sayville High School Performed "The Drowsy Chaperone"

“I just want to be entertained…that’s the point,” says the Man in Chair, the aptly named narrator who introduces modern audiences to the nuances of the musical theatre genre, and in particular, his favorite 1928 musical "The Drowsy Chaperone."

Sayville High School’s production of this playful spoof of Broadway not only included hilarious stereotypes on and off the stage but it was magnificently performed by every cast member. The “pampered Broadway starlet [Maya Guacci] and her debonair fiancé [Hunter Caiazzo], an overzealous producer [Noah Ryan], a dizzy chorus girl [Chloe McCormack-Falk], the Latin lover [Aidan Deverna], an Aviatrix [Amelia Wells], a couple of bumbling gangsters [Dylan Schneider and Kyle Finn],” and the title character, the Drowsy Chaperone [Paige Gaiser] provided all the fun elements for “mix-ups, mayhem and gay weddings”—the 1928 definition of “gay,” that is.

“When a character’s in crisis,” notes the exuberant Man in the Chair [Ben Flaumenhaft], “they sing and dance. Better that, than just whining about it.”

No one can dispute the topsy-turvy struggles to find normalcy this year, however, these multi-talented, high school "Triple Threat" performers did not whine about it. Instead, with the support of their directors, the orchestra, and backstage crews, they put their talents into making the show do more than just go on. They made it spectacular—the singing was superb, the acting spot on, the comic timing impeccable, and the dancing a delight.

“I know it’s not a perfect show,” admits the Man in the Chair who in his enthusiasm more than occasionally wanders onto the stage to break the fourth wall and interject his opinions and insights, “but none of that matters. It does what a musical is supposed to do. It’s a little something to distract us from the chaos of the real world.”

Truer sentiments could not have expressed how, in this Post-COVID-19 world, "The Drowsy Chaperone," with its witty asides, eye-catching costumes and sets, was the perfect choice to bring joy and laughter.

Producing this show for a streaming audience was a genuine labor of love on the part of the Music and Drama departments, the producers and directors, and the crews. So much work was behind the scenes in designing and building the sets, in providing the lighting and sound, and additionally, in film editing the show for the exclusive streaming dates. However, to explain in better detail all the challenges this Sayville High School Musical production faced, Music Department Chairperson Jeffrey Hoffman composed a heartfelt Director’s Note which is on the Sayville District website. For so much more, go to the website at: https://www.sayvilleschools.org/Page/20122