May 1, 2026 marked the opening night of Poly’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” in Garland Theater. Between four shows, the other three on May 2, 8 and 9, around 800 people attended this year’s spring musical, set in the bustling 1920s. It was Poly’s first single cast musical in four years, meaning each role was played by just one actor.
The production follows a character dubbed “Man in Chair” as he reminisces about his favorite fictional musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which then unfolds on stage. The colorful and chaotic characters spring to life, including showgirl Janet Van De Graff and her alcoholic confidante, the Drowsy Chaperone. Janet is giving up her acting career to marry oil tycoon Robert Martin, but Feldzieg, Janet’s frantic producer, must stop the wedding so she doesn’t quit show business. The wedding is further threatened by a series of comedic events, led by the intoxicated Drowsy Chaperone, a Latin lothario, an anxious best man, and a ditzy chorine.
The musical featured new and returning artists to the cast and crew, with a total of 40 students involved in the production.
“Our leading ladies—The Drowsy Chaperone, Maddie Delbridge, and Anastasia Arrieta as Janet—really were great role models for the entire cast and the crew, helping them be their best by modeling the rehearsal process and refining their roles throughout the rehearsal process as well,” said Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Sam Robinson, who directed the musical.
The show also featured high levels of participation from the sophomore and freshman classes. Of the 24-person cast, 17 were underclassmen, 10 of whom played named roles, including freshman Ben Heuer who played Man in Chair. This was particularly unusual, as in the past, named roles have majority been given to juniors and seniors.
“My highlight of the show was definitely seeing these younger people step into such big, bright, crazy roles and portray them with so much passion and so beautifully, and giving me a lot of inspiration as well,” explained junior Olivia Rivera-Vasquez, who played Aldolpho, a seductive Latin lover.
The production featured 13 songs, including choreographed group numbers and solos. Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Danielle Pigneri choreographed the show, with the support of student choreographer and assistant director senior Sophie Chiu.
Due to the show’s demanding dancing and acting requirements, performers worked during and outside of rehearsal time to refine accents and the 1920s style of movement. Freshman Dara Bahng-Boyer and junior Jujube Hutt, who played the groom Robert and the best man George, respectively, worked on their intense tap dance routine “Cold Feets” every day.
“Singing and dancing invigorates me so much, so the extra 45 minutes of tap after rehearsal didn’t really feel like work,” Bahng-Boyer explained. “The tapping was a way to push myself creatively out of my artistic comfort zone. The final product was not only a result of hard work, but also of Juju and DP’s [Pigneri’s] excellent teaching.”
As a result of the cast’s dedication, rehearsals went smoothly once they were able to rehearse with the pit and the crew.
“Every person in this cast is a role model to me. I loved my experience working with everyone, and I cannot wait to do more shows with so many people I have made connections with here,” reflected freshman Molly Villaverde, who played one of the two jovial gangsters in the production.
On the technical theater side, 13 students worked with Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Teachers Andrew Villaverde and Richard Sherrell, the production’s technical directors, to bring the show’s sounds, lighting and sets to life.
“I didn’t know a lot about what happens behind the scenes,” shared sophomore Leo Oster Ketsios, who operated spotlights for the production. “That’s the thing that I got to learn about. […] It was interesting to do that.”
The pit orchestra featured outside musicians in addition to Poly students. The music was directed and conducted by Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Eric Lifland ‘12, and coordinated by Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Megan Foley. Foley also played drums and percussion in the pit orchestra.
“I thought that a lot of hard work went into the performance, but it was all worth it. I thought the show was super fun and funny. I enjoyed it a lot,” shared sophomore Jones Naliboff, who ushered the first weekend and watched the show twice.