The story concerns an anti-social musical theatre fan, the man in the chair (Luke McInnes) and as he plays the record of his favourite musical, the (fictional) 1928 hit The Drowsy Chaperone, the show comes to life onstage as he wryly comments on the music, story and actors.

We are introduced to the eccentric Mrs Tottendale (Zoe Oliver) who will host the wedding of the year (1928) and her loyal valet Underling (Daniel McCready), the starlet, Janet Van De Graaf (Sarah Harris) under the dubious supervision of her 'Drowsy Chaperone' (Justine May) is to wed oil tycoon, Robert Martin (Jodan Lelieveld). Janet's Broadway producer, Felzieg (Angus Stoffell) and one of his flappers, the ditzy Kitty (Amy Dempsey) try to stop the wedding especially when threatened by two gangsters disguised as pastry chefs (Ben McInnes and Meeka-Jo Watson). Feldzieg plans to undermine the wedding plans by employing a Latin lothario (Jordan Fry) to seduce the bride but inevitably it all goes wrong.

The Drowsy Chaperone won the Tony Award for best book, best score, and best featured actress. The show has had major productions in, New York, London, and Japan, as well as here in Melbourne (starring Geoffrey Rush).

Marian's production of the Drowsy Chaperone promises to be wonderful experience for fans and critics of music theatre alike and will be showing at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre on August 14, 15 and 16 at 80pm. Tickets are available from trybooking.com.