The Iona Players performed “The Drowsy Chaperone” in Doorley Auditorium from Feb. 23 to 25 and from March 1 to March 3.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” is a musical-comedy narrated by “Man in Chair,” portrayed by junior Bear Winterroll, an agoraphobic musical fan who takes the audience on a journey back to 1928, via his copy of the original cast recording of the fictional musical “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

While playing the record and commenting on how times have changed, Man in Chair explains that the record helps during times of blue. Winterroll does a brilliant job of portraying this quirky and dynamic character, who cannot help but frequently pause the record and give the audience his sometimes salacious commentary.

His performance captivated the audience.

“My stomach hurt because of how funny [his performance] was,” freshman Izzy Charles said.

In the first act, the audience was introduced to the musical’s main characters. Janet Van Der Graff, portrayed by senior Alyson Gannon, is a leading lady who is preparing to give up her entire career in order to marry her “monkey,” Robert Martin, played by junior R.J. Hawkins. The stressed-out best man, George, played by junior Josh Hunter, struggles to keep Janet and Robert separated before the wedding as well as handle all the wedding details.

He asks the Chaperone, played by senior Tara Schneider, to keep her hands off the alcohol and, instead, in-between the adoring lovers. Also in attendance were Mrs. Tottendale, played by Players president senior Clare DeGennaro, and her servant Underling, played by sophomore Ben Sinkora, who secretly gets alcohol for the wedding party, despite it being Prohibition-era.

As do all musicals, “The Drowsy Chaperone” had a charming “b-plot.” Feldzeig, Janet’s producer played by junior James Burke, does everything in his power to stop this marriage from happening in order to keep Janet in his newest production.

Accosted by two gangsters with rhythm and a wannabe-star named Kitty—played by sophomore Kate Pearce—he enlists the help of the Latin-lover Adolpho to seduce Janet and end the wedding. In the role of Adolpho, sophomore Thomas Hoehmann attributes the excellence of the show to “everyone’s dedication,” adding that it was what “propelled the show.”

Although things do not go exactly as planned — for the show’s characters or Man in Chair himself — the audience finds out that love is not always lovely.

“The ensemble for ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ did just what the Man in the Chair said it would; they left me with tunes to carry around in my head,” freshman Cendy Saldaña said.

Students wanting to see more from the Iona Players can stay tuned for several events coming up during the rest of the semester.