Toledo Surprise . . .

I think in opting to see The Drowsy Chaperone as late as I did was a slight disadvantage to me. It was one of those shows that was on my "to see" list, but then other things came out that I wanted to see more, and well, I finally got around to seeing it, and after much fanfare and hooplah, I was severely disappointed.

For a show that has all the potential in the world with the right cast, can someone please tell me why the producers decided to cast Mari Davi as Janet Van De Graaf? She lacks a certain star quality that the role should posses. But I guess a lot of a show depends on it's performers. Where as some shows such as Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera can run forever, changing casts more often than some people change their underwear, and it still manages to sell out, the same cannot be said for The Drowsy Chaperone; which seems to be on it's last legs.

Ms. Davi is not a terrible performer, but she is not suited as the leading lady of this show. She would have fared far better as a chorus girl. Some people are meant for bigger and better things than the chorus, others are not. Her Janet was well acted and sweetly sung, but there needed to be something more substantial there in order for the audience to relate to her and like her as a character. There were parts of the show that I knew were supposed to be funny, but unlike Sutton Foster, Ms. Davi lacks impeccable comic timing, which is required for the role.

But thankfully if you do end up making the mistake of seeing Drowsy, you can see Beth Leavel as The Drowsy Chaparone, the role that won her a much deserved Tony, and you'll be able to see Danny Burstein as Aldolpho. Both performers were standouts and made the evening enjoyable. Ms. Leavel's rousing anthem "As We Stumble Along" was the shows highlight. And Mr. Burstein's "I Am Aldolpho" was a comic masterpiece.

Jason and Garth Kravits as the Gangsters were amusing. As were Gerry Vichi and Jennifer Smith as Feldzig and Kitty.

The standout of the show had to be Patrick Wetzel whom as an understudy mastered the role of Man in Chair. I was glad that I got to see his performance as Man in Chair, because it was so genuine and made elements of the show that I didn't like more fun. I kind of wish he would go on every night. He was great and I hope to see him in more things in the future.

Jo Anne Worley was kind of disappointing as Mrs. Tottendale, a part that I don't like much, but was hoping for something great from Ms. Worley. I feel that she would have made a better Chaparone, because it seemed as though she was miscast.

Overall it was not a terrible production. but like so many that occupy the Marquis Theater, require star power. And that was something that this show was lacking.