The Drowsy Chaperone | November 6-22, 2026

Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison | Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
Directed by Brooke Hamilton | Produced by Amanda Ruby
Choreographed by Jordon Matthew | Music Director Dave Coxe

About the Show

With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight. Hailed by New York Magazine as “The Perfect Broadway Musical,” you won’t want to miss it!

Audience Information

  • Runtime: Info coming soon.

  • Suggested Ages: Recommended for ages 10 and older. Please use parental discretion.

  • Content Advisory: The show contains mild/adult language, suggestive humor, innuendo, and a character who is frequently intoxicated (the titular chaperone who drinks from a hidden hip flask).

Cast

  • Vince Headshot

    Vince Stillitano

    The Man in the Chair

    Vince Stillitano (Man in Chair) is elated to return to ACT for his first musical with this incredible cast! You may have seen him here previously in I Hate Hamlet, And Then There Were None, Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Play That Goes Wrong. Other local roles include 'Beau' The Cottage (Hudson), 'Wadsworth/ Butler' Clue, and 'Robert' Don't Dress for Dinner (Chagrin Valley Little Theater), The Squirrels and Wonderland Wives (Convergence-Continuum). Many thanks to you the audience for supporting live theater. Thanks to all my friends and family for their support, but most of all to the woman who joined me in marriage this past fall, my loving wife Katie for all of her love and encouragement. So happy to be doing my first musical with my baby. LYTACAB

  • Tina Headshot

    Tina Davis

    The Drowsy Chaperone

    Tina is happy to be back at ACT where she last performed as Susan in Title Of Show. Previous ACT shows include Boeing Boeing, How To Succeed in Business, and assistant directing Next To Normal. Most recent performances include Sally in Follies, Judy in It Shoulda Been You, and Carmen Bernstein in Curtains at Hudson Players. When not on stage, she enjoys yoga, making sourdough bread, and traveling with her family. Love to Josh, Amanda, Dante, and all my friends and family who continue to support my creative endeavors!

  • Grace Headshot

    Grace Caffoe

    Janet Van de Graaff

  • Kyle Headshot

    Kyle Rickert

    Robert Martin

    Kyle Rickert is very happy to be back with ACT again. They have recently appeared as Lawrence Jamieson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at ACT, Ensemble in Frankenstein - A New Musical at Blank Canvas Theatre, Count Carl Magnus Malcolm in A Little Night Music at Broadview Heights Spotlights, and Ensemble in The Prom at Cassidy Theatre. They hope you enjoy this zany production of goofs and gaffs. Thank you to the cast and crew of The Drowsy Chaperone and a special thanks to Sarah above all else.

  • Quinn Headshot

    Quinn Montgomery

    George

    Quinn is elated to make his ACT debut with this wonderful group of friends (some new and some old)! He graduated from Cleveland State with a BA in theatre and dance, where he played Shak Graa/Trinkulus in Starmites, Autolycus/Mamillius in The Winter's Tale, Officer Barrel in Urinetown, Evan in The Aliens, and Bad Idea Bear in Avenue Q. Quinn continues to participate in theatre in the Greater Cleveland Area in plays, improv sets, pit orchestras, and playwright communities. He would like to thank his parents, grandfather, and girlfriend (who's from Toledo, surprise!) for their endless support.

  • Carol Headshot

    Carol Kramer

    Mrs. Tottendale / US Drowsy Chaperone

    Carol Kramer is beyond excited about being back on the Aurora Community Theatre stage for the 2nd time this year! After a 20-year hiatus, she performed in Disaster! The Musical this past spring and had the time of her life! Among her most cherished past performances are playing Dolly in Hello, Dolly, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Alma Hix in The Music Man, and several ensemble roles across various productions. Offstage, she’s probably baking goodies, singing show tunes way too loud and dancing in her kitchen with her two granddaughters. She believes they are never too young to discover the love of musicals with their grandma!

  • Christopher Headshot

    Christopher Monczewski

    Adolpho

    Christopher Monczewski is excited to make his ACT debut and reprise the role of Adolpho, whom he previously played at Cassidy Theatre in Parma Heights. Some other theatre credits include Walter in Elf and Curtis in Sister Act. After spending most of his career in banking, Christopher made a career change to higher education and currently serves as an Associate Director of Admissions and Enrollment at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Christopher lives in Brunswick with his wife, where they have raised five wonderful sons, many involved in the arts. He is grateful to share the stage with this talented cast!

  • Brandon Headshot

    Brandon Anders

    Mr. Feldzieg

    Brandon is thrilled to be back at ACT for his third role here. You may remember him from Arsenic and Old Lace (Officer Klein) and Urinetown: The Musical (Mcqueen). He also sings with The Men of Independence - a nationally ranked chorus in the Barbershop Harmony Society. He appreciates the support of his lovely wife Avril and their three children Lilah, Parker, and Aria. He’s grateful for the opportunity to work with the amazing cast, crew, and musicians here at ACT, and he’s grateful to you for enjoying the show!

  • Ev Headshot

    Ev Brodsky

    Underling

  • Jules Headshot

    Jules Racette

    Kitty

    After spending 10 years away from the theater, Jules reentered the performing world last year in California. In June, they moved to Ohio and decided that their love for performing was one thing they weren’t willing to leave behind. So, they packed it up and brought it with them! They are thrilled to be continuing their return to the stage with The Drowsy Chaperone and are incredibly excited and honored to be part of this production. They are grateful to the cast, crew, and everyone who helped make their first Ohio theater experience so special.

  • Breann Headshot

    Breann Zerby

    Trix the Aviatrix

    An Ohio native, she has performed all over the world and is happy to now call Cleveland home. Favorite recent roles include: Nuncrackers (Robert Anne) at Cassidy Theatre, Something Rotten (Lady Clapham) at CVLT, Anything Goes (Virtue) and Drinking Habits (Mary Catherine) at Independence Theater, Nunsense (Robert Anne) and Harvey (Myrtle Mae Simmons) at Fort Findlay Playhouse, A is for Abortion (Dani) First New York Reading, Hair (Tribe/Descant) SOOP, and former Ellen’s Stardust Diner performer. Love and thanks to her Co-Pilot Emily and their fur babies!

  • Brooke Headshot

    Brook Holt

    Gangster 1

    Brooke is stoked to be playing Gangster 1! This is her third time on the ACT stage, with previous credits including Ms. Sheinkopf/Ms. Hamilton in School of Rock and Chef/Ensemble in Disaster!. As a senior in high school, Brooke has acted in several other productions, playing Laurie in Little Women, The March Hare in Alice in Wonderland, Officer Brophy in Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Wizard of Oz/Assistant Stage Manager in The Wizard of Oz, all for the Bio-Med Science Academy Drama Club. Offstage, Brooke enjoys writing for her school newspaper. Enjoy the show!

  • Tarantula Headshot

    Tarantula Gregorius

    Gangster 2

    Tarantula is thrilled to be in The Drowsy Chaperone at ACT. She has been in Disaster! (Ensemble), School of Rock (Lawrence), and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Ensemble) at ACT, making this her fourth show here, not including being in the CSW production of Something Rotten! Jr. (Shakespeare). She is a sophomore at TRHS where she participates in the drama club and choir program. Other shows she has done include The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Descendants (Carlos), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Ensemble).

  • Katie Headsho

    Katie Stillitano

    Ensemble / Superintendent

    Katie is thrilled to be back at ACT for this amazing show. You may have last seen her in Puffs at CVLT. Thanks to the production team for the opportunity and to her friends for all their love and support. In addition to sharing the stage with this amazing cast, she gets to share the stage with her wonderful husband at the theatre where they met. ILYTPAB

  • Zoë Headshot

    Zoë Frager

    Ensemble / US Kitty

    Zoë is a recent graduate from Cleveland State University's theatre and dance department and she's making her Aurora Community Theatre debut! She has done a range of theatre all over Northeast Ohio. Some of her favorites include Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, at CSU as Prince Florizel, Hairspray at Near West, and Pippin at Blank Canvas, both as a featured dancer, and Speech and Debate at Convergence Continuum as Diwata Jones. She also enjoys spending time with her princess friends at Northeast Ohio Creatives. She hopes you enjoy a night of fun! Find her socials: @zobow888

  • Jill Headshot

    Jill Eisert

    Ensemble

    Jill Eisert is excited to make her ACT debut! Previous roles include Mrs. Baskins in Big the Musical at CVLT, Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor, and Alice in You Can’t Take It With You. Offstage, Jill works as an art educator and as a fine art illustrator with work available at jilleisert.com. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and karaoke. Much love to her husband and her cat, Mister Momo.

Crew

  • Brooke Hamilton

    Director

    Brooke is extremely grateful to be working with ACT yet again. Though this is her directorial debut, some of her previous ACT credits include Spring Awakening as Martha Bessell or as a singer in both the 2023 and 2024 Sondheim Tribute Revue. Some other credits also include Spelling Bee as Olive Ostrovsky, Ordinary Days as Claire, The Prom as Emma Nolan, and Avenue Q as Kate Monster. Brooke graduated with a BA in acting and design/technical theatre from Cleveland State University and is now a teaching artist with StageCrafters Youth Theatre and is the new assistant manager of the Civic Auditorium connected to Lakewood City Schools. She also works around Northeast Ohio as a choreographer, stage manager, and music director. When not at the theater, you can find her with her princess friends at Northeast Ohio Creatives (NEOC). To the cast, crew, and production team: Whether you’re an old face or new, you will forever find a friend in me. Thank you so much for your willingness to share your love and passion for storytelling.

  • Dave Coxe

    Music Director

  • Jordon Matthew Headshot

    Jordon Matthew

    Choreographer

    Jordon is very excited to be back at Aurora Community Theatre choreographing The Drowsy Chaperone. His choreography has been seen in shows all over Northeast, Ohio such as School of Rock, The Sound of Music, Matilda the Musical, [title of show], Gypsy, 9 to 5 the Musical, and more! He has also spent quite a bit of time onstage performing in productions including Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood), Hairspray (Corny Collins), The Prom (Trent Oliver), and many more. Jordon’s work life closely relates to this “theatre hobby”, as he spends his days working on the Development Team at Playhouse Square and teaching Musical Theatre dance classes at Dianna Durkin Dance Studio. “To my dearest friend, Brooke, thank you for trusting me to bring your vision to life. Xoxo.” IG: @jordon.matthew

  • Amanda Ruby

    Producer

    Amanda Ruby studied theatre at Edinboro University (BA) and Kent State (MA). Amanda serves on ACT's Board of Trustees as VP. She has done just about everything in her 30 plus years of theatre- from directing to dramaturgy, and has published three Ancient Greek plays adapted for kids (and another coming soon). She created and runs an after-school theatre program called Acting Up at ACT and co-produces ACT’s Children’s Summer Workshop. Thanks to the cast for being so fabulous and to the production team and crew for making this such an amazing show!

  • Ann N Puppy Pic

    Ann Nyenhuis

    Stage Manager / Tech Director

    Ann is excited to be finishing up her 12th season at ACT. Ann's work covers a wide range of responsibilities, and she is always amazed at the level of talent of our staff and actors. Ann has a BM in Vocal Performance from Kent State University. She has many years of experience onstage and offstage and is always ready to learn something new. Ann lives with her husband, Dave. In her free time, she watches Cleveland sports with Dave and romps with their 1-year-old puppy, Alvin.

  • Allie Stark

    Assistant Stage Manager

  • Lacy Headshot

    Lacy Kraszewski

    Assistant Choregrapher

    Lacy Kraszewski is delighted to join the creative team for The Drowsy Chaperone. Previous assistant choreographic credits include A Chorus Line (Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Columbia, MD). As a performer and dance captain, highlights include Soul Girl in Jesus Christ Superstar, Val in A Chorus Line, Liz in CHICAGO, Rosie in Cabaret, Phyllis Dale in 42nd Street, and Susie in Crazy For You. Many thanks to Jordon and the rest of the production team for the opportunity, the hard-working cast, and her supportive husband, Brian. Enjoy the show!

  • Kathalina Plummer

    Set Designer

    Kathalina is delighted to return to ACT for her fourth production, following The 39 Steps, School of Rock, and Disaster!. A theater artist, educator, and designer with more than 20 years of experience, she works across scenic design, technical theater, props, scenic painting, and production. Kathalina is currently pursuing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at Kent State University, where her research focuses on accessibility, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and inclusive learning in higher education theater. She loves the collaborative chaos of bringing a production to life and is thrilled to once again create alongside the talented artists and community at ACT.

  • Nick Hassan

    Lighting Designer

  • Maggie Hamilton

    Sound Designer

    Maggie has been the resident sound person at ACT since 2012 and appreciates all the tools at her disposal to help audiences hear the dialog of our great actors. Thank you Portage Foundation for the tech upgrade support. We also have a loop system for compatible hearing aids/cochlear implants and several receiver sets available to borrow. There is some interference close to the AEDefibrillator. Maggie is a former ACT Board of Trustee member and retired cochlear implant audiologist.

  • Dana Sumpter

    Costume Designer

  • Libby Gabor

    Props

    Libby is a graduate from BGSU with a BAC in Design and Technical Theatre. Most recent credits include stage managing MacBitches, IWFLR&J, and props managing here at ACT. Libby has worked most extensively prop managing for shows at Rabbit Run Theatre including Calendar Girls, Titanic, and Newsies. She would like to thank ACT for welcoming her back!

  • Jerry Schaber

    Lead Carpenter

  • Susan Breitzig

    Board Liaison

  • Joshua Zepeda Headshot

    Joshua Zepeda

    Scenic Artist

    Joshua graduated from Missouri State University with a BS in Video Studies and a double minor in Mass Media and Art. While Joshua has held many acting roles on stage like Lord Farquaad In Shrek the Musical at Milam Community Theater and as Professor Ted Scheider in Disaster! The Musical at ACT, he is proud to announce that The Drowsy Chaperone will mark his first ever production as a scenic artist. Joshua would like the cast to have an excellent show!

Spotlight Partner

Info Coming Soon!

Original Broadway production of The Drowsy Chaperone produced by Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Bob Boyett, Stephanie McClelland, Barbara Freitag, and Jill Furman.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com