New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Aspire PAC Presents Pilot Production of "The Drowsy Chaperone, JR"

originally published: 11/30/2021


(WAYNE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company (Aspire PAC) will present a pilot production of The Drowsy Chaperone JR., based on the Tony Award-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone. The pilot production will run from December 10 through 12 at the Packanack Community Church in Wayne, NJ.

Hailed by New York Magazine as "The Perfect Broadway Musical” and winner of five Tony Awards, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Jazz Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.

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 called The Drowsy Chaperone. Mix in two lovebirds on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan, and a clueless chaperone, you have the ingredients for a show that will have everyone laughing.

Aspire PAC is piloting The Drowsy Chaperone JR. as it is prepared to be released within Music Theatre International’s Broadway Junior collection. The production includes 19 performers ages 10 through 16 from across Northern and Central New Jersey, including Sarah Black, Alyssa Cifelli, Gaby Couto, Gianna Depreta, Laila Fleischer, Dylan Franz, Catherine Golioto, Jacob   Gonzalez-Lopez, Benjamin Karras, Lillian Kopacz, Claudia Marino, Adeline McCloskey, Allison Paterno, Madison Salamon, Noelle Santosuosso, Arvin Singh, Andrew Sternberg, Anara Sullivan, and Elaina Voto.

Performances will take place Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11 at 7:00pm and Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 at 2:00pm. All performances take place at Packanack Community Church, located at 120 Lake Drive East in Wayne. To purchase tickets, visit aspirepac.booktix.com or call 201-220-4933.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



Aspire PAC’s pilot production of The Drowsy Chaperone JR. is directed and co-choreographed by Artistic Director Lisa Beth Vettoso and features musical direction by Rich Lovallo and choreography by Kacie Broadfield. Cheryl Wilbur serves as Production Manager and Valerie Pascale is Stage Manager. 

“Aspire produced the full version of The Drowsy Chaperone back in 2016, and it has long remained one of our very favorite musicals,” said Vettoso. “That’s what made us even more excited to be asked to pilot this Junior version for MTI. It has all the infectious energy and non-stop laughs of the original, but in a condensed format for young performers. I can’t wait for audiences to see this show!”

Aspire PAC, established in 2011, has earned a strong reputation in the Northern New Jersey area for its high-quality theatrical productions and professional arts experiences for local youth, teens, and young adults. Since 2016, Aspire has received 13 New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT) Award nominations, four Broadway World Regional Awards (35 nominations), and 35 National Youth Arts Awards (50+ nominations). 

The Drowsy Chaperone JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info




FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


A

A Broadway Tour of America

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

More events

Event Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

PHOTOS

PHOTOS from "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Pleasant Valley Productions

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Pleasant Valley Productions (PVP) is presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Oscar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC). The production runs July 11-12 and July 17-19, 2025. This groundbreaking musical, which revolutionized the world of theatre, tells the story of the final week of Jesus' life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents "Shrek, the Musical"

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- This summer, the swamp hits the stage in the most unforgettable way! Join Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) for the smash-hit Broadway musical Shrek, presented July 31, August 2-3, 2025 — a show bursting with heart, humor, and high-energy performances by the rising stars of tomorrow from across New Jersey.



Aspire

Aspire PAC presents "Into The Woods, Jr."

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- This July, Aspire Performing Arts Company will present the musical Into the Woods JR. at The Barn Theatre in Montville from July 25-27, 2025. Stephen Sondheim's and James Lapine's cockeyed fairytale comes to life in this adaptation of their groundbreaking musical. This lyrically rich retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fables features classic characters — Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk), and the Witch.



Asbury

Asbury Park to Host 1st Annual ACT OUT, DIVA! New Play Festival

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Bailey Dumlao and Matthew Yee have announced the first annual ACT OUT, DIVA! New Play Festival featuring five new plays presented as readings from July 17-20, 2025. Matthew Yee is one of the featured playwrights and Bailey Dumlao directs all five pieces.



Cape

Cape May Stage presents "Sexy Laundry"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents Sexy Laundry by Michele Riml from July 16 through August 24, 2025. The relatable storyline follows Alice and Henry, a long-married couple, attempting to reignite the spark in their relationship by escaping to a trendy hotel with a copy of the book Sex for Dummies in hand.