Theo Ubique: The Drowsy Chaperone
Kelsey MacDonald and Colette Todd
Theo Ubique Presents THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Review - Escaping Real Life for A Moment
TLDR: Full of non-stop jokes that have the audience laughing the entire show, The Drowsy Chaperone is a good fit for all theatre lovers and non-theatre lovers alike. Led by the affable Steve McDonagh as the main narrator, the cast delivers a joyful and fun night out at the theatre
Steve McDonagh, Kevin Chlapecka, Chase Wheaton-Werle, Jimmy Hogan, and Reginald Hemphill
Pull Up A Couch and Make Yourself At Home
It’s pitch black in the Theo Ubique theatre. We grabbed our pre-show refreshments and greeted our neighbor sitting next to us on the couch facing a living room set (designed by Bob Knuth). We hear a voice ring out through the darkness from the stage proclaiming he hates the theatre. We all laugh at the irony of sitting here in the theatre with our fellow theatre goers listening to someone acting like they hate the theatre.
Our mysterious voice coming from the void does have some favorites though. As the lights come up, we’re treated to a listening party as he puts on the cast recording of The Drowsy Chaperone. He tells us we’re going back in time and we’re in for a real experience because this album is a recording of the entire show. We’re taken into the Man in Chair’s (our narrator played by Steve McDonagh) imagination as he sets the record on the turntable and the musical comes to life in his living room.
Though we’re in his apartment with his signature cozy armchair, formica kitchen table, and teal colored kitchen cabinets, he paints a picture for us of the orchestra tuning its strings, the curtain rising, and the anticipation of the audience. A fictional musical from the 1920s, The Drowsy Chaperone parodies the same tropes and gimmicks from that time. With costumes to match, the cast floats out from the wings with three piece suits and flapper dresses, all glittering with that Jazz Age sparkle (costume design by Nick Cochran).
McDonagh makes us feel special just by us being here and welcomed into his home. He makes tea for the audience members lucky enough to sit at his kitchen table while the rest of us sit on couches like we’re in his living room. He laughs and jokes with us about how much better escaping into a musical can be than real life. Everything about him feels genuine and we’re fully bought into his musical fantasy.
Steve McDonagh, Trey Plutnicki,and Kevin Chlapecka
Laughs From Start to Finish
The Drowsy Chaperone has a cast who knows how to work this script that is full of puns, slapstick comedy, and tongue-in-cheek references to parody those old time-y musicals.
The thinly disguised gangsters played by Jimmy Hogan and Chase Wheaton-Werle don aprons and chef’s hats as they offer appetizers to the wedding guests and make threats filled with baking puns.
Kelsey MacDonald as Janet Van De Graaff is giving Kristen Wiig vibes as she insists she doesn’t want the spotlight anymore while belting out a show stopping number complete with multiple costume changes, full ensemble dance number, and a lift into the splits.
Trey Plutnicki as groom to be Robert Martin is accompanied by his dutiful best man George played by Kevin Chlapecka as they set fire to their feet donning roller skates during “Cold Feets.”
Lest we forget we’re not actually watching a musical, when McDonagh pulls the needle off the record the cast freezes mid-song. He interjects to tell us about the actor or the performance all while one the actor stands frozen in the middle of a dance step or lying legs askew on one of the couches.
Each member of the cast goes all out when it’s their turn to be funny and it pays off in spades. Not to mention their singing abilities as well! The cast delivers on the soundtrack as well, each taking their moment in the spotlight to give their character’s songs their due.
The After Party Thoughts
I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much at a show. The Drowsy Chaperone is campy and full of funny, dumb bits that the cast hams up every single time with excellent direction from director L. Walter Stearns. The precision of the repeated bits is also masterful as if we are simply moving the needle back on the record and rewinding the action again and again.
For those that are looking for a comedy musical and a fun night out at the theatre as a way to escape real life, even for a few hours, The Drowsy Chaperone would be a good fit for you!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Steve McDonagh, Kelsey MacDonald, and Colette Todd
When
Now through April 19, 2026
Where
Theo Ubique
721 Howard St.
Evanston, IL 60202
Runtime: 2hrs 15min, including an intermission
Tickets
$33+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 773-939-4101 or through the Theo Ubique website
Photos
Brett Beiner
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Darian Goulding
CAST
Steve McDonagh (Man in Chair)
Colette Todd (The Drowsy Chaperone)
Trey Plutnicki (Robert Martin)
Kelsey MacDonald (Janet Van De Graaff)
Jenny Rudnick (Mrs. Tottendale)
Peter Ruger (Underling)
Kevin Chlapecka (George)
Luiza Vitucci (Kitty)
Reginald Hemphill (Mr. Feldzieg)
Jimmy Hogan (Gangster One)
Chase Wheaton-Werle (Gangster Two)
Lena Simone (Trix, the Aviatrix)
Genevieve Corkery (Superintendent; Understudy Mrs. Tottendale / The Drowsy Chaperone / Trix)
Chloe Venner (Superintendent; Understudy Janet Van De Graaff / Kitty)
Eldon Warner-Soriano (Superintendent; Understudy Aldolpho / Gangsters)
Cameron Graber (Superintendent; Understudy Man in Chair / Feldzieg)
CREATIVE
L. Walter Stearns (Director)
Eugene Dizon (Music Director)
Jenna Schoppe (Choreographer)
Britta Schlict (Assistant Choreographer)
Becca Holloway (Assistant Director)
Bob Knuth (Set Designer)
Ellie Fay (Lighting Designer)
Nick Cochran (Costume Designer)
Mark Park (Hair and Wigs Designer)
Ab Rieve (Properties Designer)
Anna Jackson (Sound Designer)
Katherine Coyl (Fight and Intimacy Director)
Carl Herzog (Production Director)
Mags Sowell (Stage Manager)
Camille Foss (Assistant Stage Manager)
Josiah Tennent (Technical Director)
Jackson Mikkelsen (Production Electrician)