Dan Murphy (Man In Chair) is the founding general manager of Broadway Rose. Broadway Rose performances include Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (Drammy Award, PAMTA), Hennessey/Captain in Dames at Sea, Courtly DeManor in The Case of the Dead Flamingo Dancer, Vernon in They’re Playing Our Song, Phil in Flaming Idiots, and appearing in The Melody Lingers On: The Music of Irving Berlin. More recent credits around town are Maurice in Beauty and the Beast for Pixie Dust Productions and Farmer Brown in Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type for Oregon Children’s Theatre.

Gretchen Rumbaugh (The Drowsy Chaperone) has led a very theatrical life. Many stages, many lives, many friendships. Her career has blessed her with fascinating opportunities to portray real life women as diverse as Mae West, Patsy Cline, Leona Helmsley, and most recently (here in Portland at the PCPA) Ann Landers, in the theatrical format of the One-Woman Show. Other favorite roles include Mama Rose in Gypsy, Dot in Sunday In The Park With George, Shirley Valentine, Lucy Brown in The Threepenny Opera, and she created the role of Wendy in the original Seattle production of the huge world-wide hit Angry Housewives. In Portland, Gretchen created, co-produces (with Musical Director Darcy White), and is Lead Chantoozie of the long-running monthly professional singer showcase, Cabaret Chanteuse at Tony Starlight’s Supperclub. She is quite pleased to be making her Broadway Rose debut in such a fun show, with such fun people, playing such a fun character! Be on the lookout for her next role: playing Mrs Lovett in Portland Center Stage’s production of Sweeney Todd opening in September!

Lindsay Michelet (Janet Van de Graff) is thrilled to be back with Broadway Rose after playing Cassie in the 2010 production of A Chorus Line. Other Broadway Rose credits include Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Celebrate Home (Drammy, Musical Ensemble), Joan in Dames at Sea (Drammy, Musical Actress in Supporting Role), The Melody Lingers On, Gussie in The Case of the Dead Flamingo Dancer, and Ziegfeld’s Favorite in The Will Rogers Follies (Drammy, Supporting Musical Performer). Regional credits: Helene in Sweet Charity, Edwin Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Tzietel in Fiddler on the Roof, Sugar Kane in Sugar, Bianca in Kiss Me Kate, Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street (Drammy, Musical Actress), Irene O’Dare in Irene (OTAS, Musical Actress), and Cleo in The Most Happy Fella (OTAS, Supporting Musical Actress).

Joel Walker (Robert Martin) is honored to be back at Broadway Rose sharing the stage with such an amazing cast. Most recently, Joel has been onstage in White Christmas (Phil Davis), and Annie Get Your Gun (Tommy Keeler) at Lakewood Theatre Company. With Broadway Rose he played Sketch in Hairspray, Reuben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Don in A Chorus Line. Joel received his training at Marymount Manhattan College in NYC where he will be returning this fall. So much love and gratitude to Dan, Sharon, and the rest of the BRTC family for all the support and opportunity.

Jacob Chancellor (George) hails from the great state of Oklahoma! He will be a junior at the Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma this fall. Some of his past credits include: Protean (A Funny Thing…Forum), Don Lockwood (Singin’ in the Rain), George Cohan (George M!) and A Very Merry Pops (OKC Philharmonic), as well as Music Theatre of Wichita, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Many thanks to Lyn Cramer and Broadway Rose for this opportunity!

Norman Wilson (Aldolpho). Aldolpho is a role Norman has wanted to portray since seeing it created on stage by Danny Burstein several years ago. Since moving to Portland three years ago, Norman has been fortunate enough to put his own stamp on roles including Lucentio in Taming of the Shrew with Bag&Baggage Productions, Wally in Wild Space A Go-go, Madame George in Find Me Beside You (an original staging of Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks as imagined by the incomparable Jessica Wallenfels), Marvin in Sweet Charity and Charlie in Annie Get Your Gun, both at Lakewood Theatre Company, and Corny Collins in Hairspray and Lawrence in The Andrews Brothers right here at Broadway Rose. Norman is thankful to Lyn and the creative team behind Drowsy for entrusting him with such a fun part. And a big shout-out to his role model, a dinner theater icon, Heather Stoltzfus Westenhofer, for always encouraging his artistic endeavors.

Emily Beleele (Mrs. Tottendale) is thrilled to work with the folks at Broadway Rose again, having played Bernice in Bingo. Most recently Emily appeared as Ms. Frizzle in The Magic School Bus Live! The Climate Challenge (Oregon Children’s Theatre) and Connie in Jack Goes Boating (Artists Repertory Theatre.) Favorite roles include Rose in Gypsy, Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods, Doreen in Tartuffe and MJ in Inspecting Carol (Lakewood Theatre); Sister Lidwina in Gracie and the Atom, Bette in The Marriage of Bette and Boo, and Polish Maiden in Fortinbras (ART); the Caterpillar in Alice & Wonderland, A Rock Opera (Oregon Children’s Theatre); Dr. Charlotte in Falsettos (Live on Stage); Ninon de l’Enclos in Child of Pleasure (CoHo); Prudie Cupp in Pump Boys and Dinettes (triangle productions!); Marie Dindon in La Cage Aux Folles (Musical Theatre Co.); and Sheila in Hair, and Bonnie in Anything Goes (Portland Civic Theatre). Between productions you can catch her jazz and cabaret performances at Tony Starlight’s Supper Club and Lounge.

Thomas Slater (Underling) is really excited to be in his first production with Broadway Rose, and what a show to start out with!

Most recently Thomas was a part of the Angel City 4 in Lakewood Theatre Company’s production of City of Angels. Other roles include Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird and an ensemble role in The Wizard of Oz. Thomas would one day like to move to New York to try his luck on Broadway.

Bruce Blanchard (Feldzieg) originated the role of John Pizer/Willy in Ripper at Broadway Rose. Local: Archibald in The Secret Garden (Lakewood Theatre Company), Biff in Death of a Salesman (Artist Repertory Theatre), multiple roles in Eating Raoul (Live On Stage). Broadway/Off-Broadway: Ensemble/Singer in Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing, Smudge in Forever Plaid, multiple roles in Forbidden Broadway, Narrator in Opal Lambs Theatre, Combeferre in Les Misérables. Television: John Mossberg in Leverage opposite John Schneider, Herman Nimfero in Grimm, Detective Jerry Peterson in As The World Turns, and Dr. Stephen Barkley in All My Children.

Sara Catherine Wheatley (Kitty) is tickled pink to be spending another summer at Broadway Rose. Recent credits include: Hairspray (Velma VonTussle), A Very Merry PDX-MAS (herself) and Always…Patsy Cline (Patsy) at Broadway Rose; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive Ostovsky), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Candy Starr), and Ragtime (ensemble/Mother US) at Portland Center Stage; (I am Still) The Duchess of Malfi (Duchess) at Artists Repertory Theatre; and Annie Get Your Gun (Annie Oakley, Drammy Award) at Lakewood Theatre. Sara Catherine spends her time away from the theater as the frontwoman of Portland’s Ultimate ‘80s Cover Band, DeeDee Foxx and the Stimulus Package (www.deedeefoxx.com), and as one happy half of the new Rock Country duo, Fernhill (anticipated album release for Fall of 2012).

Jocelyn Seid (Trix the Aviatrix) is delighted to be returning to the Broadway Rose stage. You may have seen her in Hairspray last season.

Since then, she has appeared in Public House Theater’s To Kill a Mockingbird where she held the roles of Calpurnia and Mr. Gilmer among others.

She also recently closed a very successful run of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Brother Sister Plays with Portland Playhouse.

Samuel Benedict (Gangster) could not be happier to finally make his Broadway Rose debut with one of his all-time favorite shows. Most recently Sam was seen with his pal Sean as Romeo/Student #1 in Bag&Baggage Productions’ Shakespeare’s R&J. Other credits include White Christmas and The Producers with Lakewood Theatre, To Kill A Mockingbird with Public House Theatre, A Chorus Line with Stumptown Stages, and Ah, Wilderness! with Artists Repertory Theatre. Sam earned his B.F.A. in acting from Western Oregon University where he also studied music and dance. Many thanks to Dan and the rest of the BRTC production staff!

Sean Powell (Gangster) is delighted to return to Broadway Rose after previously appearing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Asher). Credits include Spring Awakening (Live On Stage – Georg), Shakespeare’s R&J (Bag&Baggage – Student #3), Minnie’s Boys (Lakewood – Leonard) and White Christmas (Lakewood – Mike). Sean received his B.F.A. in theater from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where he trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Thanks to Lyn, the entire creative team, this talented cast, and wonderful crew, along with friends and family for all their support.

Claire Avakian grew up in Portland, but is about to begin her sophomore year earning a B.F.A. in musical theater at the University of Oklahoma. She is so honored to be returning to the Broadway Rose stage after previously performing as Tricia in A Chorus Line. Other roles Claire has especially enjoyed include the Narrator in Westview High School’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and a Bird Girl in the University of Oklahoma’s Seussical the Musical! Aside from theater, Claire has a minor obsession with her goofball dog, Jazzy. “Enjoy this wild ride we call The Drowsy Chaperone!”

Mia Crivello is tickled to return to Broadway Rose. Last year, she played Esther in the staged reading of Planet Eden (now Alienated) and Bebe in A Chorus Line prior to that. Other Portland credits include White Christmas at Lakewood Theatre (Judy); Zanna, Don’t! for the Portland Pride Series (Roberta); and Paradise Park at Theatre! Theatre! (Ella). Mia is a Montana native and a graduate of Point Park University. She has been happy to call Portland her home for nearly three years but is headed back to NYC in September! “Many thanks to Dan and Sharon. And a 5, 6, 7, 8!”

Jerrod Neal is excited to be working with Broadway Rose again. Some of his other credits include Hairspray with Broadway Rose, Rent, A Chorus Line, and The Wiz with Stumptown Stages, Violet with Staged!, and Curtains with Lakewood Theatre Company.

He holds a B.A. in theatre arts from Central Washington University and would like to thank God, Mom and Dad, family, and friends for their unconditional love and support. “Congratulations to the cast and crew! Break a leg!”

Jeremy Sloan is thrilled to return to Broadway Rose in The Drowsy Chaperone! This summer he will also play the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and the Fox in Pinocchio. Other Broadway Rose credits include Prince Tom in Rumpelstiltskin, Feuilly in Les Misérables, and various roles in Singin’ in the Rain. Jeremy has performed with Lakewood Theatre, Staged!, Stumptown Stages, Mock’s Crest, Portland Opera, Opera Theater Oregon, and Portland’s Fertile Ground Festival. He earned his B.F.A. in music and theater from Portland State University. “Many thanks to Dan, Sharon, Lyn, Rick, and especially Adam!”

Tommy Stefanek is so delighted to be back at Broadway Rose. He was seen here last summer dancing around as Fender in Hairspray and before that you saw his awesome rope tricks in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Tommy moved up to Portland from Los Angeles where he performed in a number of shows at Musical Theatre West, Downey Civic Light Opera and Civic Light Opera of South Bay. Around town Tommy has worked at Lakewood Theatre and at triangle productions! Tommy is thrilled to be in this amazing cast and dedicates this performance to one of his best friends Carina Lovitt. “This one’s for you Cruella!”

Thursday, August 2, 7:30 PM PREVIEW
Friday, August 3, 7:30 PM OPENING NIGHT
Saturday, August 4, 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 5, 2:00 PM

Thursday, August 9, 7:30 PM
Friday, August 10, 7:30 PM
Saturday, August 11, 2:00PM
Saturday, August 11, 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 12, 2:00 PM

Thursday, August 16, 7:30 PM
Friday, August 17, 7:30 PM
Saturday, August 18, 2:00 PM
Saturday, August 18, 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 19, 2:00 PM

Directed & Choreographed by Lyn Cramer
Music Supervision by Rick Lewis
Conducted by Eric Little

Set Design by The 5th Avenue Theatre
Lighting Design by Gene Dent
Costume Design coordinated by Allison Dawe
Prop Design coordinated by Deb Dahling
Sound Design by Dan Hallberg

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is an Entertaining (Albeit Superficial) ‘Romp (REVIEW)
By Barrett Johnson
BroadwayWorld.com, Aug 10, 2012
…The Drowsy Chaperone reminds us why we love the theater. It reminds us why we let pieces of art affect us the way they do. It’s affirming, it’s fun, and I highly recommend it for everyone! Read the rest here.

“Chaperone” is anything but drowsy (REVIEW)
By Tina Arth and Darrell Baker
Washington County Review, Aug 7, 2012
In the six years we’ve lived in Portland, we have attended dozens of theatrical productions… Nothing, however, prepared us for the sheer entertainment value of Broadway Rose’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone. …This particular assemblage of script, direction, choreography, orchestra, and cast comes together in that magical way that says “run, don’t walk, to get your tickets!” Read the rest here.

Broadway Rose’s ‘Drowsy Chaperone’ inspires 1920s-themed cocktails
By Grant Butler
The Oregonian, Aug 2, 2012
These days, when people hear the word “drowsy,” they think “sleepy.” But in the parlance of the 1920s, it meant “tipsy.”…Read the rest here.

Leading lady returns to the boards
By Barbara Sherman
The Times, Jul 26, 2012
Few actresses are repeatedly offered title roles in stage shows, but Gretchen Rumbaugh is in that exclusive club. She is starring as the title character in Broadway Rose Theatre Company’s upcoming production of The Drowsy Chaperone, and during her long career she has portrayed such real-life women as Mae West, Patsy Cline, Leona Helmsley and Ann Landers on stage…Read the rest here.

A rare combination of unprecedented originality and side-splitting hilarity, The Drowsy Chaperone boldly addresses a great unspoken desire in all of our hearts: to be entertained. If you’ve ever sat in a dark theater and thought, “Please, please theater gods, let it be good,” then this is the show for you.

This musical comedy is packed full of every gimmick, bit, cliché, and gag from musical theater’s golden age. Beginning with the “Man in the Chair,” every character is over-the-top, outrageous, and hilariously funny. When I saw the show in 2006 on Broadway, I fell in love with the production because I was laughing so hard, so much, and so loud. When the lights came up, I was euphoric. I had to see it again! Truth is, I laugh out loud when I read the script. The music will have you humming and the dancing will have you tapping your toes.

The Drowsy Chaperone started out as a short spoof of 1920s musical styles, created for the bachelor party of Robert Martin and Janet Van De Graaff. Yes, they are real people! Mr. Martin joined his bachelor party friends who had imagined the work, Don McKellar, Lisa Lambert, and Greg Morrison, as co-writer and originator of the “Man in the Chair” role. Nine years and many versions later, it arrived on Broadway in May 2006 and led all musicals in Tony nominations with thirteen!  The show won five, for Best Book of a Musical, Best Score, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Beth Leavel.

I recently had an opportunity to interview Casey Nicholaw, Tony award-winning director for The Book of Mormon. Drowsy was his first Broadway show as both director and choreographer back in 2006. He shared several great stories about the production with me, but none was more touching than when he told me he knew everyone on the production before rehearsals even began. He purposely surrounded himself with friends and colleagues both in front and behind the curtain. As a theater family, they worked hard and they laughed their way to opening night.

This is my second time to direct and choreograph here at Broadway Rose and it feels just that–like family.  I have friends from my first show, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, in this production, as well as students from back home in Oklahoma. I am working with many people I know and love and am making new friends and colleagues. With a cast, orchestra, crew, and creative team of over fifty, we want to share a laugh with you and hope you enjoy the show as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to life.
A big hearty thank you to everyone!

Lyn Cramer