A high school version of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ will be staged at Saucon Valley High School this weekend, and the production’s cast, crew and director are hoping the community will come out to see it.

The Drowsy Chaperone–described as a musical within a comedy–tells the madcap story of a fictional musical that takes place during the Roaring Twenties. The musical pays homage to the Jazz Age with screwball zaniness and characters including flappers, gangsters, theatrical producers, a female aviator, a Latin lothario, the eponymous character and the story’s narrator, known as the Man in Chair.

“It is a love letter to theater in a way, because it almost makes fun of every musical trope,” director Lex Donatelli explained.

The show’s narrator, known as the Man in Chair, is played by Jaxon Beke.

Donatelli said casting for the production began in October and rehearsals started the following month, so the 60 students who are part of The Drowsy Chaperone’s cast and crew have dedicated almost six months to bringing the story to life.

Donatelli’s third production at Saucon, The Drowsy Chaperone is also a change of pace from last year’s The Addams Family.

“I want to strive to make every show unique,” he said. “It’s also fun to challenge (students) that way, too.”

The cast of The Drowsy Chaperone includes Jaxon Beke, Gabrielle Silva, Jemma Brown, Agostino Randazzo, Jackson Mascio, Ryan Pakzad, Sarah Beers, Stefan Wolf, Chloe Luckenbach, John “Max” Brasko, Salem Morales, Benjamin Fitz, Anderson “Andie” Kiefer, Trent Meilinger, Kristen Lussier, Emmett Cook, Sophia Crawford, Evelyn “Evie” Duddy, Dalia Dworakowski, Emily FaRannte, Julia Gomes, Alaina Jacavage, Emilie Kaniper, Ilsa Kasper, Jadalynn “Jada” Mertus, Gavin Rosado, Naievely Rodriguez, Kainalu “Kai” Sanesi, Megan Scherer, Tallis Todd, Farrah Thompson, Owen Thompson and Myles Weber. Crew members include Rachel Baier, Angelina Chen, Moss Jeanmonod, Gregg Jeudi, Elliana Kravatz, Caleb Lam, Chasya Lam, Gavin Murphy, Ethan Reith, Isabela Rodriguez, Mackenzie Shoemaker, Gabriel Silverthorn, Brady Skuba, Adeline Solt, Callie Spirk, Patrick Taylor, Joseph “Joe” Walsh, Ryan Walsh, Madeline Wehr, Riley Wiegand and Tyler Ziegler.

“Bringing this story to life would not have been possible without the extraordinary dedication of our students,” Donatelli noted in the playbill for the musical. “I am overwhelmed to work alongside such a talented group of individuals.”

The Drowsy Chaperone opens Thursday, when a special dinner for Saucon Valley seniors will be held at the high school before the curtain goes up. Select cast members will entertain guests during the dinner, which is organized by the Saucon Valley Performing Arts Association. The SVPAA functions as a booster club for theatrical productions in the district, and parents are extensively involved in planning the meal, which along with Thursday evening’s show is free for senior attendees.

Regular tickets for The Drowsy Chaperone are $14 for adults and $12 for students, seniors (65 and over) and active/retired military. General admission in designated seating areas is available for $14/$12 at the door.

Children under age 5 are free, however, attendees must reserved a free children’s seat as part of their reservation.

For assistance with ticketing, contact ticketing@svpanthers.org or call 610-838-7001, ext. 1126.

Performances are in the high school auditorium, which will open 30 minutes prior to showtime. All attendees should be seated no later than five minutes prior to showtime.

Showtimes for Saucon Valley’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone are as follows:

Thursday, April 16 – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17 – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 19 – 2 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased online here.