Director's Note
Why Drowsy Chaperone?
Imagine being in the audience awaiting a new Cole Porter show. Or one by the Gershwin’s? Entertainments that transport the hum-drum of daily life to the plotted tales of love in crisis — involving gangsters, show people, millionaires, servants and tap dancing. Well, that’s exactly what happens in The Drowsy Chaperone. Irresistible? You betcha!
When I saw the original Broadway production I immediately connected to the unabashed silliness of the story, the affectionate imaginings of the creatives and the exuberance of the performances. It was a gigantic Hollywood musical crammed into a tiny urban apartment. Bliss.
So, when Peter Cooke invited me to CMU to direct and choreograph the show, I jete-ed at the opportunity. What fun to find the next generation of talent who can keep this comedic genre alive. I look forward to working with the talented students—performers and designers-- to create our unique production.
When I saw the original Broadway production I immediately connected to the unabashed silliness of the story, the affectionate imaginings of the creatives and the exuberance of the performances. It was a gigantic Hollywood musical crammed into a tiny urban apartment. Bliss.
So, when Peter Cooke invited me to CMU to direct and choreograph the show, I jete-ed at the opportunity. What fun to find the next generation of talent who can keep this comedic genre alive. I look forward to working with the talented students—performers and designers-- to create our unique production.
Why Carnegie Mellon University?
Having built a successful freelance career over the past thirty-five years, I continue to teach whenever possible. I love to share my knowledge in a creative and fertile environment. Students inspire me. An undergraduate education can provide an aspiring artist with the necessary preparation to navigate the demands of a highly competitive business as well as train them in the skills necessary to pursue this honorable art form. My goals for each student are to give them a professional experience with the necessary tools to achieve success for the artist and the career.
Marcia Milgrom Dodge
February 4, 2017, NYC
Marcia Milgrom Dodge
February 4, 2017, NYC