Act 1 DeSales University Theatre’s final production of its 54th season is “The Drowsy Chaperone,” April 24 - May 5, Main Stage, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, Center Valley.

Nominated for the 2006 Best Musical Tony Award, “The Drowsy Chaperone” is a love letter to musicals of the past.

The show opens with the character named Man in Chair (Christian Tuffy), a dejected theater devotee who cheers himself up by playing a record of his favorite musical, a fictional 1928 show.

As the record plays, the stage is transformed into a Broadway set, and a parody of a 1920s’ musical comedy is performed while Man in Chair, who is invisible to the performers, comments on the story, the acting and the music.

The comic plot of the musical within the musical, written by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, revolves around Broadway star Janet Van De Graaff (Gabrielle Moseley), who has decided to give up the stage to get married and the titular Drowsy Chaperone (Abigail Vernon), who must deliver her charge safely to the altar.

The show is filled with energetic dance numbers and songs by Canadian composers Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, which include “Show Off,” “As We Stumble Along” and “Love is Always Lovely in the End.”

The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 2006, was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, winning five Tonys, including for best book and best score.

The director is guest artist Valerie Joyce, theater department chair, Villanova University where she has taught, directed and designed costumes for 30 years.

“‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ is a hilarious reminder for audiences of what musical comedies were like before Rodgers and Hammerstein changed the genre by introducing serious themes of social justice with more complex characters and plots,” says Joyce.

“Audiences of the 1920s were invited to escape into musical comedies, often with ridiculous lyrics and zany plot twists that featured energetic dancing and rousing songs. ‘Drowsy’ celebrates this past in a delightful way,” Joyce says.

James V. Raymond, visiting assistant professor of theater, scenic designer, has recreated a Jazz Age estate for the production.

Guest artist Janus Stefanowicz designed the 1920s’ era costumes. Eric T. Haugen, DeSales University assistant professor and head of design, is lighting designer. Jonathan Cannon is sound designer. Nancy Moser Collins Miles is music director. DeSales University alumnus Stephen Casey is choreographer.

There are talk-backs with the cast after the April 28 and 30 performances.

After the May 3 performance, there will be a mock-tail party with favors, period non-alcoholic drinks and light refreshments.

The 2 p.m. May 4 performance will have open captioning for those who are deaf or hard of hearing and audio descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually-impaired. Tickets are half-price for patrons using these services. Call box office manager Eric Pierson at 610-282-3654, ext. 1, for information.

“The Drowsy Chaperone,” 7:30 p.m. April 24, 25, 26, 27, May 1, 2, 3; 2 p.m. April 28, May 5; 9:45 a.m. April 30; 2, 7:30 p.m. May 4, Act 1 DeSales University Theatre, Main Stage Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. 610-282-3192; https://www.desales.edu

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com