By Joe Stead www.steadstylechicago.com

If the divine actor James Harms ever tires of playing my life on stage in "The Drowsy Chaperone," I hope The Marriott Theatre will call me to fill in.  This 2006 Tony Award winner is actually a valentine to anyone who adores and obsesses over musical theatre, suffers the slings and arrows of its disappointments and glories in its over-the-top wonders.  I believe that musical comedy is America's greatest living art form, and anyone who agrees with that opinion should book their tickets immediately for this Chicago regional theatre premiere.

If five Tony Awards, an incomparable cast of Chicago stars, a bubbly score by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a truly delicious, self-deprecating script by Bob Martin and Don McKellar aren't enough for you, the name Marc Robin must surely cinch the deal.  When it comes to old-fashioned, dance happy musical comedy, there is no better director/choreographer out there anywhere.  Robin routinely runs (or should that be taps) his way elegantly around Broadway's best.  And while I did not catch the previous Broadway in Chicago touring edition of "Drowsy," from what I witnessed at the Marriott, it's hard to believe it could have delivered the goods any better.

From the darkness of the theatre, we hear a voice echoing some wise and well-deserved criticisms of theatre today.  The shows are too long, they're heavy on special effects and short on melody and humor.  It's enough to make an old show queen want to cry.  Or better yet, retreat into the fantasy realm of a favorite original cast record.  Yes, I said record.  Our genial but lonely host is identified only as Man in Chair.  But when you have a veteran actor as distinguished as James Harms keeping the seat warm, you don't ask questions.

From a historical point of view, I must point out that in 1928 when the show within a show allegedly takes place, there was no such thing as a long playing, complete recording of any Broadway show.  One of the first original cast albums, "Oklahoma!" in 1943, was a series of heavy 78 speed discs with one song per side inside a cardboard "suitcase" of an album.  Drop by my home some day if you want the proof.  The classic vinyl LP's we love and prize didn't really come into vogue until the 1950's, although a few archival recreations of certain historical pieces were later compiled and reissued.

The plot of the show within the show we are told is ridiculous fluff, but it was the kind that kept Prohibition and Depression era audiences tapping their toes.  "The Drowsy Chaperone" both celebrates and lampoons such antiquities as "No, No, Nanette," "Funny Face," "Good News" and "Lady Be Good," among others, whose chief purpose was to entertain and little more.  So what if the stars broke out in song for no particular reason?  As our host reminds us so politely but passionately, musical comedy was and is a fantasy, an opportunity to forget about the grim truths and realities, to relax and listen to a few catchy tunes and laugh a bit.

I laughed quite a lot with this show, perhaps because I could identify with it but also because the quips and jokes by authors Bob Martin and Don McKellar are really funny.  I know that several Chicago area suburban theatres have already jumped at the chance to include "Drowsy" in their upcoming lineups now that the rights have become available, but I offer this review as a warning.  The Marriott's production will be a tough one to follow and virtually impossible to top.

Harms is priceless.  Linda Balgord, seemingly unscathed from her tour of duty with "The Pirate Queen" fiasco, has a set of pipes as big as Broadway and a sense of comedy as dry as a martini in the title role.  Tari Kelly is another triple-threat dynamo who wins our hearts and tickles our funny bones at the same time.  Tyler Hanes' character is supposed to be a bad actor, but with looks and talent like his does anyone care?  Hanes nearly tore the house apart on opening night with his tap duet with Chicago's own Fred Astaire, Andy Lupp.  I was breathless simply watching and cheering for them both. 

As if anyone could have followed the Hanes/Lupp show stopper, the very droll Gene Wygandt just about did as a much abused "Underling" to Paula Scrofano's delightfully ditzy Mrs. Tottendale.  How refreshing to see huge talents such as these making the most of playing second banana roles with first class skills.  Real life twin brothers Adrian and Alexander Aguilar make a sexy and athletic pair of gangsters masquerading as pastry chefs (don't ask).  The fabulous Melody Betts, cruelly wasted on a much too short cameo, literally takes the show into the clouds as a lady Aviatrix named Trix.  And Adam Pelty comes close to stealing the show with his hilarious oily bravado as a Latin lothario named Aldolpho.  Just in case you forget the name, he reprises it several times, each with growing comical shtick.  How incredible to think this is the same Adam Pelty who played the title role in "Oliver!" at this same theatre thirty years ago this year.

Marc Robin's direction is overflowing with ideas and innovations.  Who else would have even attempted to stage the climactic airplane number in-the-round?  Or to have our hero Harms ascend into the heavens on the same crescent moon that carried the show's ingénue away earlier rather than simply disappearing in his chair as the script indicates.  This is musical comedy heaven after all, and Robin treats it with all the grandeur it deserves.  For musical fans (and hopefully a few converts as well), the Marriott's "Drowsy Chaperone" is a must-see! 

"The Drowsy Chaperone" plays through June 27, 2010 at The Marriott Theatre, located at 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire.  The show runs 2 hours 20 minutes with intermission.  Performances are Wednesday at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.  Tickets range from $35 to $48 and there are student and senior discounts available on Wednesday and Sunday matinees.  Dinner packages are available.  Call the box office at 847-634-0200 or visit www.Marriotttheatre.com.