By Rob Shostak

What began in Toronto as a bachelor party gift, then a Fringe Festival production, then a Mirvish produced play several years ago, has turned into a Broadway hit! Leading the pack, it garnished thirteen Tony nominations, the most of any play this year. The New York Post even predicted it as the big winner.
Well, after last night’s Diamond Tony Award ceremony, Toronto born The Drowsy Chaperone came home with five awards!

Best Book – Don McKellar & Bob Martin (pictured above)
Best Original Score – Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison
Best Supporting Actress (Musical) – Beth Leavel
Best Scenic Design (Musical) – David Gallo
Best Costume Design (Musical) – Gregg Barnes
Best in every category, but not Best Musical? Right. Meanwhile, McKellar, Martin, Lambert and Morrison are the first Canadian writers to bring home a Tony. It is also the first Broadway show in twenty-five years to be produced by Canadians. The show has also won Best Musical from both Drama Critics’ Circle Awards and The Drama Desk Awards.
The show is a saucy homage to the Broadway musical comedies of the 1920s. It centres around Martin, who stars as “Man in Chair,” as he listens to his old Broadway records as they come to life in his apartment. There are no hobbits in this production.
The Drowsy Chaperone plays at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway. Tickets run about $30 to $100 USD a show and are obviously worth it. Check out a clip from the show, and info on more Tony winners.
[photo: McKellar and Martin at the Tony's - Jeff Christensen, AP]