Drowsy Chaperone at Actors Cabaret, Eugene

I attended a performance of Drowsy Chaperone last night, in a local production at Actors Cabaret located downtown Eugene. It is a well modulated, consistent production that, nevertheless fails to deliver the “magic” as promised. The mise-en-scene was inadequate, the direction lackluster, the comedic acting and vocal quality uneven. The plot, the fractured memories of a sun-downing Broadway queen, is loose enough to allow, nay require, a strong cast to excel. Didn’t happen.

Admired was the postmodern dramaturgy...historical allusions to New York in the late 1920’s, constant self-reference to its simplistic plot and stock characters, lyrics full of irony, sarcasm, parody that occasionally approach the surreal, set to catchy, seeming-authentic period melodies. A masterpiece of confection but sadly under baked.

I have another theater venue logged into my (loosely) comprehensive catalog of theaters in the Eugene area. Some favorites begin to emerge—Silva Hall at the Hult Center (decor) and Performance Hall at Lane Community College (lights well, great sight lines). The Actors Cabaret ranks somewhere in the middle or maybe, considering the subcategory of “dinner theater,” near the top. I liked having the option to get tickets without pressure to buy dinner. Those who were there for dinner were finished as we arrived, their tables cleared and the bar closed before the house lights dimmed. This is much appreciated.

Honestly, the show was pleasant enough... with several laughs, several enjoyable vocal performances, and a glimpse of the area’s musical theater talent and potential. Despite the limitations of “locally grown” community theater, the production retained the essence of the underlining creative impulse.