The Drowsy Chaperone: Jonathan Crombie to play the role of 'Man in Chair'

Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie has been brought in to fill the role of 'man of chair' during the interregnum created by the departure of Bob Martin on 11 Mar, and the arrival of his replacement Jonathan Glover on 17 Apr 2007.

With no official announcement it had been assumed that the two actors who understudy the role, Jay Douglas and Patrick Wetzel, would fill the vacated seat until Jonathan Glover's arrival.

Jonathan Crombie, who has appeared in previous Toronto productions of the musical as Gangster #2, will be making his Broadway debut when he plays the role of 'Man in Chair' from 20 Mar - 15 Apr 2007.

Bob Martin left the show to head up the London cast of The Drowsy Chaperone, which is to play at London's Novello Theatre from 14 May 2007.

Jonathan Glover was last seen on Broadway in Tartuffe (1996 revival). His many Broadway credits include Love! Valour! Compassion! (1995) for which he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. He currently plays Lionel Luthor in the TV series Smallville.

The current cast features: Peter Bartlett (Underling), Danny Burstein (Adolpho), Georgia Engel (Mrs Tottendale), Sutton Foster (Janet Van De Graaff), Troy Britton Johnson (Robert Martin), Eddie Korbich (George), Garth Kravits (Gangster 2), Jason Kravits (Gangster 1), Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), Kecia Lewis-Evans (Trix), Jennifer Smith (Kitty) and Lenny Wolpe (Feldzieg).

The Drowsy Chaperone opened at the Marquis Theatre on the 1 May 2006, following previews from the 3 Apr 2006, where it is currently booking to 26 Aug 2007.

The musical opened to mixed notices. The New York times said "Small and ingratiating musical" and the New York Post called it a "little, horrifyingly pastiche musical. However, The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "The happiest surprise of the Broadway season� and The Associated Press called it "a disarming, delightful souffl� ." www.newyorktheatreguide.com reviewer, Polly Wittenberg wrote, when the play finished "I was delighted to be outside in fresh air."

You can read more of what the critics said here

The Drowsy Chaperone won five 2006 Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards and four Outer Critics Circle Awards.

To chase his blues away, a modern day musical theatre addict known simply as 'Man in Chair' (Bob Martin) drops the needle on his favorite LP � the 1928 musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the musical magically bursts to life on stage, telling the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up show business to get married, her producer who sets out to sabotage the nuptials, her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin lover and a pair of gangsters who double as pastry chefs.

The Drowsy Chaperone features Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. The production is directed and choregraphed by Casey Nicholaw.

Set design is by David Gallo, with costumes by Gregg Barnes, lighting by Ken Billington and Brian Monahan and sound by Acme Sound Partners.