Dennis Polkow

It begins so unassumingly: "Man in Chair" chats informally with the audience about what theater means to him the way many of us do at home and office. The references are specific and real, often biting ("How long, Elton John, can we continue the charade?"), until we hear about an unlikely 1928 show called "The Drowsy Chaperone," a faux musical, of course, that we begin to hear through the static of an old LP—nevermind that 78s ruled the day and LPs didn’t exist until twenty years later—before the show in his mind’s eye comes vividly and colorfully to life as a remarkable send-up of those exuberant musicals of the 1920s. Musical-theater people will love how accurate and detailed the satire actually is, accurate enough that I overheard audience members actually arguing about whether or not the show within a show was actually a musical from the 1920s or not: how much higher of a compliment could you get? These zany, overdone characters and situations are a riot, but stealing the show is the way that "Man in Chair" introduces them to us, the way he watches and interacts with them, the way he deals with interruptions of his mundane life such as ringing phones and power outages—and even scratches and skips of the LP itself—uncomfortably encroaching upon his own imagination, a world that is ultimately far more "real" than the bland reality of his, or our, own world.

"The Drowsy Chaperone" runs at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 West Randolph, (312) 902-1400, through April 13. (2008-04-08)

Also by Dennis Polkow

Playing Around
Encountering mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato on the first Friday in Lent, naturally, I am concerned: "Have you had any fish today?" I ask. "No, I should," she admits dutifully, "but I haven’t." Given that DiDonato’s Lyric Opera co-star, Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez, pulled out of Rossini’s "The Barber of Seville" performances after reportedly swallowing a fishbone, perhaps seafood will become as scarce at Lyric as superstar sopranos who skip out on rehearsals.
(2008-02-12)

Jesus Christ Elder-star
How long has Ted Neeley, the star of the 1973 motion picture "Jesus Christ Superstar," actually been playing Jesus? Even a cursory counting would suggest at least as long as the real Jesus Christ lived. "Actually, if the truth be told," admits Neeley, "slightly over 2007 years, but you know what? The donkey still works, but he doesn’t like the cold weather very much."
(2008-02-12)

Playing Around
After more than twelve years, "Rent" is finally becoming overdue on Broadway with the recent announcement that the show will officially close on June 1, but the national touring version shows no signs of slowing down and has committed dates through 2009 at this point. "Rentheads" continue to congregate wherever "Rent" is running
(2008-02-06)

Dirty Jokes and Grammy Nods
It says something about the quirky nature of eighth blackbird, internationally known and now resident Chicago contemporary music ensemble, that when its newest member, 29-year-old Australian flute player Tim Munro, auditioned for the group two years ago, one of the requirements was slightly unusual
(2008-01-22)

Playing Around
(2008-01-22)

Tip of the Week
(2008-01-15)

Tip of the Week
(2007-12-26)

Music to Knowell
(2007-12-18)

Playing Around
(2007-12-18)

Bombs Away
(2007-12-11)

Tip of the Week
(2007-12-11)

Music Before Motion
(2007-11-19)

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