Limelight Theatre's 'The Drowsy Chaperone' is a Hilarious, High-Energy Escape

Limelight Theatre’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone is a love letter to the Golden Age of musical theater — wrapped in humor, nostalgia and delightful absurdity. The show follows a socially anxious theater lover, simply called Man in Chair, who invites the audience into his world as he plays a record of his favorite (fictional) 1928 musical, The Drowsy Chaperone. As the record spins, the musical comes to life in his living room, complete with over-the-top characters, show-stopping numbers and theatrical mishaps, all filtered through his unreliable but endearing narration.

A Theatrical Experience Unlike Any Other

What makes The Drowsy Chaperone so unique is its meta nature — this isn’t just a Broadway-style musical; it’s one man’s nostalgic, idealized (and often hilariously flawed) recollection of what an old-school musical should be. The result is a show that feels like both a loving parody and an affectionate homage to classic musical tropes, packed with exaggerated performances, wild misunderstandings and moments that toe the line between fantasy and reality. As one audience member put it, “It feels like a fever dream” — a description that couldn’t be more fitting.

A Cast That Brings the Madness to Life

Bill Rains as Man in Chair is the beating heart of this production, guiding the audience through the story with dry wit, infectious enthusiasm and a deep, genuine love for musical theater. His performance is both hilarious and oddly poignant, making it impossible to imagine the show without him.

Jessica Alexander’s Janet Van De Graaff shines in “Show Off,” a number that explodes with the kind of visual spectacle you’d expect in a big-budget Hollywood movie musical. Jimmy Alexander’s Robert Martin brings boundless energy, especially in “Accident Waiting to Happen,” where his blindfolded roller-skating routine is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Sherrie Provence’s Drowsy Chaperone is delightfully aloof, leaning into the role’s drunken elegance with effortless charm. Meanwhile, Blake Osner’s Aldolpho is an absolute scene-stealer, playing the ridiculously problematic self-proclaimed “Latin lover” with a wild flair. Joellie Tucker’s Kitty nails the Betty Boop-esque voice, adding an extra layer of hilarity to her already comedic role. Their portrayals perfectly embrace the broad caricatures and exaggerated stereotypes, filtered through Man in Chair’s nostalgically romanticized memory of 1920s musical theater.

A Spectacular “Failure” and a Triumphant Escape

Without spoiling too much, the show features a brilliantly executed “failure” near the end that the cast pulls off magnificently. It’s moments like these that make The Drowsy Chaperone such a joy — it thrives in its own theatrical chaos.

Ultimately, Limelight Theatre’s production is pure escapism. The Drowsy Chaperone isn’t trying to be the greatest musical of all time, and that’s exactly its charm. It invites audiences to forget about the real world for a while and get lost in the magic, the absurdity and the sheer fun of musical theater. And in a world that can often feel overwhelming, a moment of respite — no matter how brief — is a gift worth celebrating.

The Drowsy Chaperone runs Thursday, February 20 through Sunday, March 16 at the Limelight Theatre's Inez McDonald Mainstage.

For more information, full cast and crew credits and links to tickets, visit the The Drowsy Chaperone page here on JaxPlays.