Starkville Community Theatre will present "The Drowsy Chaperone," directed by Paula Mabry and sponsored by Renesant Bank, beginning April 5.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. April 5 through April 7, at 2 p.m. April 8, at 7:30 p.m. April 10 through April 12 and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 14.
SCT Chief Administrative Officer Gabe Smith said the show begins with a main in a chair appearing onstage and puts on his favorite record — the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical.
"The recording comes to life in front of the audience, with interjections and eventually participation from the man in the chair," Smith said. "Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pasty chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight."
"The Drowsy Chaperone" was hailed by New York Magazine as "the perfect Broadway musical," and pokes loving fun at all the tropes of that characterize the musical theatre genre.
Smith said the huge and hugely talented cast includes: DeeDee Baldwin, John Brocato, Rylee Burchfield, Michele Crescenzo, Sean Dyess, Justine Edwards, M.J. Etua, Genny Fischer, Audrey Gammill, Madeline Golden, Katherine Hardin, Lorraine Hughes, Elyse Hunt, Jessica Jolly, Luke McFatrich, Warren Nybo, Cindy Ruff, Paul Ruff, Paul Sullivan, Karen Thead and Smith, accompanied by Elizabeth Hawkins and music direction by Bob Hawkins.
"The Drowsy Chaperone" has won five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score.
Admission for this production is $20 for single tickets or $15 for students with a valid ID. For phone reservations or questions, call (662) 323-6855.