It’s that time of year again! Tampa Prep’s theater crew has been working for months and 7pm in the Black Box on February 15 will be the premier showing of the Upper School Spring musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone”.
Talking to David Mann, theater director, and director of this specific production, he noted how excited he was to finally see the piece come together and be available for the Prep community to enjoy and celebrate.
“We cast [“The Drowsy Chaperone”] back in the other semester, because we wanted people to get enough time to get familiar with it, particularly the larger parts. Then we had some small rehearsals and things like that last semester, but we really dived into it since we got back from break,” Mann said.
Talking about the show, Mann couldn’t help but say with a smile, the lighthearted, plotless, adventure that “The Drowsy Chaperone” takes the audience on.
“We describe it as a love letter to old 30s [and] 40s musicals. There were these musicals back in the day and they were sort of big affairs with lots of sets and stuff, and not a lot of story; very, very thin on plot. So it kind of pokes fun at that in a very joyous, super silly way,” Mann said.
Though he’s enjoyed the process of piecing the production together, Mann looks forward to the final product the most, noting the relief he’ll feel when it’s all done.
“At this point, getting it done is the most exciting part. It’s a big affair, you have all this stuff getting done. You have lighting that has to happen, I have an orchestra I have to pay to bring in, the kids have to get their lines down, and we have to worry about the spacing with the set” he said.
However, when the pieces are put together, the magic finally happens. Despite the long hours, Mann believes it’s all worth it in the end. The students’ joy while working with the show, and their pride when it’s all said and done, make it a great time for everyone involved.
Speaking to one of the senior actors in the upcoming musical, Karis Cosmas, she remarked on her time since being involved with Tampa Prep’s Theater.
“I’ve been a part of the theater program at Prep for six years. I’ve enjoyed the people in it, the friends I’ve made, and really all the memories it has brought me,” she said.
Speaking on the Spring Musical in particular Cosmas, believes the audience will get as much as a kick out of it as she and her fellow cast members have while practicing it.
“This show has been a lot of fun to work on and to be a part of, and I think audiences will enjoy the fun, light hearted nature of the show. My character specifically, is the role of Mrs. Tottendale, a ditsy old woman, and practicing the role of this character has been interesting to say the least” she said.
With the show coming this Thursday, February 15, Mr. Mann along with his talented cast are putting the final touches and getting ready to perform the show in front of their peers and the rest of the Prep community.
“The Drowsy Chaperone” tickets are now available for fifteen dollars, and all will be encouraged to go and catch some of the action starting this Thursday at 7 PM and finishing with closing night on Saturday, the 17th, with showing at 2pm and 7pm.
