Montpelier – Did you ever get a wedding gift that became a Broadway sensation? You did if you’re Bob Martin! And it’s how The Drowsy Chaperone – a musical inside a comedy - came to be!

It’s true! The Drowsy Chaperone began life as a wedding present between theater friends – and 7 years later the fully- developed show won 5 Tony’s, Seven Drama Desks, and countless other awards! Now the award-winning smash is onstage at Lost Nation Theater, Thursdays-Sundays, July 17- August 3.

The Drowsy Chaperone is director Eric Love’s favorite musical. He’s back at LNT not just to direct, but also to star in the song & dance extravaganza – that brims with one show-stopping number after another.

 Here’s how it works: Present day lonely theatre fan, “the Man in the Chair” (Eric Love), plays his favorite cast album. “Theater Magic” makes those characters come to life on stage! Can you picture it? It’s 1928. Broadway Star Janet Van de Graff is about to give up the stage to marry the dashing Robert Martin. Add to the mix his bumbling best man, her desperate producer attempting to sabotage the wedding, gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a daft hostess, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone - and you’ve got the recipe for pure madcap delight.

The Drowsy Chaperone’s has Show Tunes, Tycoons, Mafia Goons, and Looney Tunes!

In addition to Eric Love, Lost Nation Theater brings you a cast & creative team that’s simply “The Bees Knees!”

Taryn Noelle “shows off” as Triple -Threat Broadway Star Janet Van De Graff; Kathleen Keenan belts out the title role. Mark S Roberts returns to be the comically villainous producer Feldzig; Ann Harvey is hilarious host Mrs. Tottendale; Jennifer Sassaman captures the ditzy wannabe chorus girl Kitty. They are joined by a gang of 20 actor-dancer-singers from across Vermont and the country, including Joshua Lopez as the Latin Lothario, and Alex Rushton as the dashing

bridegroom. Jen Greenwood is music director, Ryan Hendricks choreographs, Jessica Della Pepa is costume designer; John Devlin handles scenic design; Laura Gist helps to lead the properties design; and Andrew Vachon is in charge of sound. Katie Genzer (director of The Revolutionists earlier this season) returns as Associate Director and Angie Calfa is production stage manager.

 “I eat, sleep, & breathe musical theatre and this raucous musical comedy is one of my absolute favorites! The 4th wall is shattered immediately by the Man In Chair talking directly to the audience. The plot is stupid, but this musical couldn’t be smarter. It’s replete with show-stopping dances and side-splitting scenes! The intimacy of LNT’s space will bring you right up-close to the action, a rare treat for a big musical. I’m Excited!!” - Eric Love, actor & director

 The Drowsy Chaperone (presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International) is the brainchild of composers Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison (music & lyrics) and Bob Martin & Don McKellar (book). After the wildly enthusiastic response to Lambert, Morrison, & McKellar’s spoof wedding gift to Martin and his bride - Janet Van De Graff (yes the name of our heroine still!) – Martin joined the creative team to develop the show. The rest, as they say, is history!)

This writing team has helped bring us The Prom, Elf-the musical; Slings & Arrows, and Cole Escola: First Gay President.

“A Delightful, Sparkling Entertainment!” – Associated Press

“A Comic Feast” – The Boston Globe

“The Perfect Broadway Musical!” - New York Magazine

The Drowsy Chaperone recalls those musicals of yesteryear- with daffy characters & still daffier plots: all to put a smile on your face and a tap in your toes. The show does what a musical is supposed to do: Lift you up when you’re feeling blue!

And that’s why all of us at Lost Nation Theater are so happy to be sharing it with you now.

Join Us! Thursdays-Sundays, July 17–August 3, 2025. Curtain is 7:30pm Thu/Fri/Sat; 2pm Sun. Tickets: $15-48.

Don’t miss the pre-show party: Friday July 18 (included with your ticket price) featuring live music, sumptuous snacks and a speakeasy feel. Dress up- or come as you are! (The show will run 90 minutes without intermission). The Flood made City Hall’s elevator inoperable, requiring climbing stairs to attend in person. Events are streamed to be accessible.

Visit www.lostnationtheater.org

You can also reach LNT by phone: 802-229-0492. email: [email protected]

Photo Courtesy : John Snell Photographer.