In his book, Facets of Comedy (Grosset & Dunlap, 1972), Walter Sorrell writes, “Laughter is a psychological and physiological phenomenon, comedy the act of man’s humorous capacity.” Whew! Large words just for making people laugh. But comedy can be serious business. As the English actor Donald Wolfit once said, “Dying is easy; comedy is hard.” Although full of joyous fun, The Drowsy Chaperone can teach an important lesson. The ability to not take things seriously, to look at life and art with a humorist’s eye, especially in these increasingly serious times. Comedy can be a carefree interruption to life’s troubles, a solace to grief, or even a weapon against authority.
What makes us laugh can often be a reflection of our culture and the times in which we live. The Drowsy Chaperone is a celebration of the musicals of the 1920s, and it faithfully captures the spirit of that wild, carefree age. Throughout history, comic writers like Aristophanes, Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, James Thurber, P.D. Wodehouse, Dorothy Parker, and more modern wits like Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, Richard Pryor and Al Franken have played a vital role in the life of society. Especially today, people need to look at sacred cows with an analytical, comedian’s gaze.
Looking at life’s funny side is an important skill to develop. The Drowsy Chaperone will be a perfect launching point for discussions about the history and importance of comedy. By connecting The Drowsy Chaperone to other forms of humor they experience every day, and creating their own comic writing, students will see themselves as part of a long, and important, lineage: those who have made us laugh, and made us think, through comedy.
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PETER ROYSTON A writer and a teaching artist, Peter Royston has worked in various capacities to bridge the gap between the entertainment industry and the educational community. As the co-founder and co-director of Theatre Direct’s educational program, Broadway Classroom, Peter helped to bring thousands of students to Broadway, to experience – and learn from - the history, grandeur, and just plain fun of live theatre.