The Drowsy Chaperone
Performed by : Franklin Performing Arts Company
The Franklin Performing Arts Company presents The Drowsy Chaperone starring Broadway's Ben Cameron and Emily Koch! Featuring choreography by Broadway's Clay Rice-Thomson!
Not local - watch the livestream Friday, 3/18! Click here for tickets!
Please note our safety measures to protect our artists, staff, and audience - masks will be required for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status. Masks must be worn at all times, except while actively eating or drinking.
Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Jazz Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another!
With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on. 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 pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight!
THE CAST
BEN CAMERON (Man in Chair) is your Broadway Buddy. Bringing the Broadway community right to you like a friendly neighbor dropping off brownies. Broadway brownies. Yum. Ben is a 3x Broadway veteran having appeared in the original casts of Wicked (listen to track #2, you may hear a familiar voice) and Footloose. He has appeared on Broadway in Aida and in tours of Sweet Charity opposite Molly Ringwald, State Fair, Fame, The Who’s Tommy, and Footloose. Since hanging up his dance belt, Ben has become one of Broadway’s most beloved personalities. He is the creator and host of the long-running variety show Broadway Sessions (2018 MAC Award), Broadway Buskers concert series w/ Times Square Alliance, web series Dance Captain Dance Attack on BroadwayWorld.com, Broadway Sessions Beach Party on Fire Island, and of course, The Broadway Cast! Ben is the MainStage host of Broadway Con, was the live audience host for tapings of A Very Wicked Halloween on NBC, The SpongeBob Musical on Nickelodeon and is a frequent face on PBS WNET having hosted Hamilton’s America, Broadway on THIRTEEN Marathon, Downton Abbey New Years Marathon, and much more. Ben served as on camera host for the Broadway Trivia game show series on the Reward The Fan app. Ben is also a sought after writer, director, performer, and choreographer. He travels the world teaching high energy theatre and dance masterclasses and emceeing Onstage NY talent competitions. Ben continues to lend his signature enthusiasm and razor wit to a variety of projects, concerts, and benefits from Broadway and beyond. Ben likes you. To keep up with Ben, follow @BenDoesBroadway and visit www.bencameron.nyc
EMILY KOCH (The Drowsy Chaperone) just finished a year and half long run with the Broadway Company and the First National Tour of Waitress. She was also seen on Broadway and on tour as Elphaba in Wicked from 2015-2017. Emily was in the cast of Godspell at Berkshire Theatre Group, the only equity sanctioned musical in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regional: Little Women (Palo Alto TheatreWorks), ValueVille (NYMF), In The Bones (APAC, World Premiere, and New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play) Workshops: iLLA! A Hip Hop Musical (O’Neil Center), The Tale of Despereaux (Universal Pictures/The Old Globe). Readings: Housewarming (NYMF), Luna (World Premiere), All The Walls (World Premiere), Luna and the Gold River Docks. Carnegie Mellon Musical Theatre Class of 2013, youngARTS Finalist, and Interlochen Arts Camp and Academy Alumnus.
NICK REHBERGER (Robert Martin) is thrilled to be making his FPAC debut with this incredible team. Broadway credits include: The Glass Menagerie (dir. John Tiffany), Fiddler on the Roof (dir. Bartlett Sher). Regional: Hood (Asolo Rep), Pride and Prejudice (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), Shakespeare in Love (Chicago Shakespeare). Film/TV: I Am Michael, Thirdy, “The Equalizer” (CBS), “Elementary” (CBS), “Girls” (HBO), “The Deuce” (HBO), and “Gotham” (FOX). He is a graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. @nickrehberger
ALI FUNKHOUSER (Janet van de Graaff) is a NYC based actress whose credits include the national tours of Joseph...Dreamcoat and Evita (dir. Hal Prince), Legally Blonde (The LEX, dir. Laura Bell Bundy), Suor Angelica (Chelsea Opera NYC), Hairspray, Company, How to Succeed…, and more. With FPAC, she has been seen in Legally Blonde (Elle), Newsies (Katherine), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Narrator), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), and many more. She has performed her solo cabaret show at Don’t Tell Mama NYC and here at TBB! TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. UCB Improv. BM Music Theatre from OCU. Instagram: @alifunk
SAM SEFERIAN (George) Broadway: Pretty Woman (Guilio). Nat’l Tour: Wicked (Boq). Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, The MUNY, North Shore Music Theatre, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Theatre By The Sea. TV: Gotham (FOX). BFA: Penn State University. Many thanks to everyone at FPAC!
NICK PAONE (Aldolpho) has a BA in Theater from Occidental College. A former Equity actor, his performing credits include Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, Red Roses, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Romeo and Juliet. He has written and directed numerous shows, produced an evening of one-act plays in NYC, and traveled extensively performing with TheatreWorks USA. Nick’s numerous FPAC credits include The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Legally Blonde, Seussical, The Addams Family, Peter Pan, Les Misérables, Humbug!, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors, and many more. He is the creative mind behind FPAC’s original musicals Humbug!, Zero, and the holiday pantos.
ROBBIE RESCIGNO (Gangster 1) is an actor based in NYC. Theater credits include: Boats And (Ars Nova), The Comedy of Errors (freeFall Theatre, Sun Valley Shakespeare), Most Happy Fella, and The Boys from Syracuse (42nd St Moon), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Barnstormers), Broadway Bound (Oldcastle), Bright Star (Theatre Zone). TV: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix), The Resident (Fox), Black Box (ABC), and Odd Mom Out (Bravo). Film: Tenure. Along with his brother Paul, he writes and performs their award-winning comedy show, The Rescignos. He received a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University and studied at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. therescignos.com
PAUL RESCIGNO (Gangster 2) New York: Boats And... (ANT Fest). Regional: The Boys From Syracuse (42nd Street Moon), The Comedy of Errors (freeFall Theatre; Sun Valley Shakespeare). TV: The Resident (FOX), The Other Two (HBO Max), Odd Mom Out (Bravo), Late Show with David Letterman (CBS), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix), Mozart in the Jungle (Amazon), Black Box (ABC). FILM: Tenure. Paul studied at Shakespeare's Globe in London and holds a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University. Along with his twin brother Robbie, he writes and performs their award-winning comedy show The Rescignos. He has written for The Late Show with David Letterman, and writes and stars in the upcoming web series, It's Too Late.
KALEY WERE (Kitty) is thrilled to be returning to THE BLACK BOX after playing the titular role in FPAC’s Mary Poppins last October! Other credits include The Wizard of Oz National Tour (Glinda U/S, Aunt Em U/S, Ensemble), Disney Cruise Line (Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream), and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Kaley is a proud graduate of Oklahoma City University. Many thanks to Raye Lynn, Clay, Hallie, Deb, Nathaniel, Aaron, the DiChiara’s, and the entire FPAC family. Instagram: @kaley_were
MICHAEL BARATTA (Feldzig) is thankful to appear again with friends at FPAC, where his credits include Tartuffe (Tartuffe), Art (Yvan), Matilda (Sergei), Cabaret (Ernst), Mary Poppins (Admiral Boom), and You Can’t Take It With You (Mr. Kirby). He’s also appeared locally in Twelfth Night (Malvolio), Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick), The Glass Menagerie (Tom), and Blithe Spirit (Charles). Many moons ago, Michael trained at The Juilliard School and acted at the Williamstown Theatre Festival; he also studied theatre at Williams College.
MELISSA BARATTA (Mrs. Tottendale) has a BA in Theatre from Williams College where she appeared in many productions including Ionesco's Macbett (Lady Macbett), The Homecoming (Ruth), and Hamlet (Hamlet). She was lured back to the stage by the wonderful people and talent (as well as her daughter) at FPAC and has since performed in several shows including Tartuffe (Elmire), Mary Poppins (Katie Nanna), and Humbug! (Mrs. Cratchit). She is thrilled to be part of such a talented cast, yet again!
TIM AYRES-KERR (Underling) holds a BM in Vocal Performance and a MM in Vocal Pedagogy both from New England Conservatory. He was recently seen singing “Boq” in THE BLACK BOX Sings... WICKED, as Linus in FPAC’s You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and most recently, FPAC’s Mary Poppins. Tim has performed as a soloist in Opera, Oratorio, and Operetta, often portraying lead tenor roles in the works of Gilbert & Sullivan. Tim founded The Parlour Opera Players to present short operas in non-traditional venues throughout Boston. Tim is also a composer and his second completed work for the stage, A Game of Werewolf, earned him a place in One Ounce Opera’s Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera showcase.
MARIKO MATSUMURA (Trix) A native of Tokyo, Mariko holds Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Longy School of Music and BM in Vocal performance from the University of Montana. Her solo performance credits include works with the Missoula Symphony, Masterworks Chorale, Opera unMET, New England Light Opera, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, JYUGOYA Ensemble, and Lorelei Ensemble. Operatic performances include Aida, Hansel and Gretel, Der Rosenkavalier, and The Magic Flute. She has also premiered numerous compositions throughout New England and Japan. An advocate for Japanese cultural outreach programs, Mariko has served as artistic director/conductor for Japanese Chorus Ensemble, Chorus Boston.
ERIN BELGER (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of FPAC’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone as an apprentice! Her credits include, Mary Poppins, Our Town, Into the Woods, Annie, CATS, and The SpongeBob Musical. Erin is a student at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts where she studies tap, ballet, jazz, voice, and acting. She is also a part of Broadway Ladies musical theater troupe and will tour Europe this summer with Electric Youth.
TZINTLI CERDA (Ensemble) is so excited to be in FPAC’s The Drowsy Chaperone as an apprentice! She has appeared in FPAC productions of Legally Blonde, Marry Poppins, and Our Town (Emily). Tzintli studies musical theater at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts and will tour Europe this summer with Electric Youth.
HAYLEY DRISCOLL (Ensemble) is excited to be back performing as an FPAC Apprentice!! She has been seen in FPAC’s Legally Blonde (Margot), Matilda, and Newsies. Hayley has also toured internationally with Electric Youth performing in Italy, England, Austria, France, and Switzerland. Hayley trains at Franklin School for the Performing Arts, in singing, acting, and dancing. She has been seen in FSPA’s productions of Disaster! (Sister Mary), The SpongeBob Musical (Plankton), Shrek (Mama Bear), Anything Goes, and more. Hayley also frequently performs as a featured vocalist at THE BLACK BOX in concerts and cabarets, including a special appearance with Broadway star Mamie Paris.
JOHN FITZHENRY (Ensemble) is an FPAC Apprentice from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts where he studies singing, acting, guitar and multiple disciplines of dance including tap, jazz, and musical theater. John has performed on stages across Austria and Italy with Electric Youth and at Walt Disney World with the Broadway Light musical theater ensemble. His credits include The SpongeBob Musical (SpongeBob), Shrek (Shrek), Footloose (Willard), Newsies, Legally Blonde, Joseph...Dreamcoat, Mary Poppins, and Disaster! (Tony).
AARON FRONGILLO (Ensemble) is a recent graduate of Wagner College where he completed a double concentration of Theatre Performance and Design, Technology, & Management. His past credits include Torvald in A Doll's House, Part 2 (WCT), Georg in She Loves Me (WCT), Ray/Dentist in Mouth Pieces (WCT), The Pirates of Penzance (WCT), Gabe/Casey’s Father in First Date (CSP), Cliff in Cabaret (FPAC), and Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof (FPAC). He hopes you enjoy the show!
SAMI GOLDMAN (Ensemble) is so excited to be back at the Franklin Performing Arts Company as an apprentice. Her credits include Legally Blonde (Chutney/Dance Captain), Mary Poppins (Dance Captain/Ensemble), Matilda, Newsies (Ike), Christopher Rice’s The Tappy Christmas Special: Live!, and CATS (Jennyanydots). Sami has also performed in Disney World with Franklin School for the Performing Arts and has toured Europe as a member of Electric Youth.
AUDREY MININGHAM (Ensemble) has been an apprentice in many shows with FPAC at THE BLACK BOX and could not be more excited to perform in The Drowsy Chaperone. Audrey's most recent shows with FPAC have been Seussical, Matilda, Mary Poppins, Newsies, Legally Blonde (Enid Hoopes), and many more! She studies at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Audrey feels extremely lucky and grateful that she gets opportunities to perform with such amazing talents in these FPAC shows at her age. She can't wait to do more!
TATIANA MCALPINE (ENSEMBLE) is so excited to be a part of FPAC’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone! She is an FPAC Apprentice trained at Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Her credits include CATS, Matilda, Legally Blonde, Newsies, and many more. Tatiana has also sung the national anthem for several sports teams including The Boston Red Sox, The Boston Bruins, New England Revolution and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
ABBY SETTLE (ENSEMBLE) is an FPAC Apprentice from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts where she studies Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Contemporary dance, as well as voice and acting. She has been a part of Electric Youth since 2020 and performed on tour in Europe as well as Walt Disney World with Broadway Ladies musical theater ensemble. Her credits include CATS (Macavity), Disaster, The SpongeBob Musical, Bring It On, Anything Goes, Shrek, Humbug!, and 'Tis the Season!
The Drowsy Chaperone is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com