.
This week’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone by
the Goochland High School Drama Department was corny, campy, charming, and
wonderful. Spring GHS musicals are a lesser-known local life savor. After last year’s
plays were cancelled when the black swan of Covid pooped on the world, the
intrepid Drama Department, under the direction of Neil Burch, pivoted—another word
that needs to go away—and moved online.
Last December’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life
was virtual with each actor zooming their parts to ensure social distancing.
The pieces were spliced together with a pleasing and coherent result. The Goochland
Middle School’s production of Dear Edwina in February used a similar approach.
During introductory remarks, Burch said that the leadership
of the seniors made the production possible. Faces covered with clear masks,
the cast flawlessly sang, danced—including an excellent tap routine—and carried
off slapstick body language. Most importantly, they were together on the GHS
stage. There was robust applause at appropriate moments, but no indication if
the clapping was live or canned as brief pans of the auditorium showed empty
seats. The technical staff made a seamless livestream experience seem
effortless.
The play itself was a parody of musicals, with a
narrator—the man in the chair—whose editorial comments poked gently fun
at the genre. The final musical number “As we stumble along” is a
fitting description of the past year.
Kudos to all involved who found a way to stage the
drowsy chaperone during these strange times. Students involved learned first-hand
the value of collaboration, and appreciation for the unique skill and talents of
each castmate. Most important, they learned to look for creative solution to overcome
obstacles.
Thanks for delightful morsel of normal as a brief escape
from this weird world.
No comments:
Post a Comment