When a reclusive theatre superfan plays his favorite cast album, musical mayhem ensues. The winner of five Tony Awards, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE plays in the Jeffers Theatre at HCT December 9th-17th.
Returning to the stage as Gangster #1 is the rail-grinding, grape-stuffing, Kay Award-winning Jared Wachsmuth.
A Claremont resident and graduate of Bunker Hill High School (Go, Bears!), Wachsmuth is just as likely to be found on stage as he is armed with power tools and set designs as Hickory Community Theatre's Technical Director.
Wachsmuth made his HCT debut in 2018's BRIGHT STAR, for which he won an Outstanding Newcomer Kay Award. He was also appeared in EVITA, PUFFS and SOMETHING ROTTEN, for which he won an Outstanding Featured Male Kay Award. Other recent credits include LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Little Theatre of Gastonia, HELLO, DOLLY! at The Green Room Community Theatre, and NEXT TO NORMAL at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Wachsmuth's interest in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE dates back to his being running crew for a production of the show at The Green Room Community Theatre. He is delighted to be "acting alongside my bud, Justin Wilson" in HCT's production as the show's wise-cracking, pastry-slinging gangster duo.
Now, you may still be wondering about why "grape-stuffing" appeared earlier in this post. That is because Wachsmuth would like you to know that he "can stuff thirty-two grapes into [his] mouth at one time...no more, no less." You're welcome...?
Performances of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE are Fridays and Saturdays, December 9th through 17th at 7:30 PM; Sunday, December 11th at 2:30 PM; and, Thursday, December 15th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for youth and students.
Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org, or by phone at 828-328-2283. The theatre box office is open from 12-5 PM Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before a performance.
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is rated PG.
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is produced in association with Shurtape. The Hickory Community Theatre’s 74th season is sponsored by Paramount Automotive, SunBelt Xpress and Frye Regional Medical Center. HCT is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County.
(Photo: John Koval)