Naselle Drama Club delivers outstanding performance

On Saturday evening, I attended the final performance of The Drowsy Chaperone, Jr., presented by the Naselle Drama Club. The Naselle School Commons was packed for closing night, with family, friends, students, and faculty coming out to enjoy the show. A total of 32 cast members took to the stage, delivering an engaging and creative production.

The Drowsy Chaperone, Jr. is a story within a story. The nameless Man in the Chair, played by Arin Sabey, sits off to the side of the stage, listening to his favorite musical record and narrating the scenes throughout the performance. Arin's portrayal was exceptionally well done, exuding confidence in each line and unmatched energy throughout.

Wealthy widow Mrs. Tottendale is hosting a wedding between an oil tycoon, Robert Martin, and stage starlet, Janet Van de Graaff. The best man, George, is busy making preparations for the big day, while Janet's "drowsy chaperone" is too drowsy to function as a proper maid of honor. Reporters chase down the couple, and the wedding guests are thrilled to celebrate the occasion. Drama ensues when gangsters posing as pastry chefs pressure Janet's producer, Mr. Feldzieg, to stop the wedding. Throughout the performance, the butler, house staff, and other characters flit about in the background, contributing to the ensemble of full cast numbers.

One of my favorite musical numbers was "Cold Feets," featuring brothers Caesar and Romain Garcia as Robert Martin and George. They showcased great onstage chemistry, rousingly singing and dancing to the lively tune. Other notable performances included the two head gangsters, portrayed by Karsen Green and Shaylee Suomela, who humorously delivered puns in distinctive accents. Violet Normand, playing Janet Van de Graaff, gave a poised performance, singing with a clear voice and effortlessly hitting her high notes.

Behind the scenes, there was a unique blend of family collaboration rarely seen in high school drama clubs. The talented director, Karli Nelson, dedicated countless hours to the production, with ongoing support from her two sisters, Kayti Updike as assistant director and Kelsi Nelson as choreographer and music coach. Their parents, Greg and Karen Nelson, also contributed by helping with sets and musical accompaniment. Numerous student volunteers, faculty, and parents played other key roles in making the production a success.

After the final bows, seniors Hannah Haataia and Arin Sabey were honored for their years of involvement in the Drama Club. They were each presented with bouquets of flowers and framed pictures of themselves in their Drowsy Chaperone costumes. Principal Justin Laine shared highlights from their time in the drama club, words of reflection from fellow castmates, and their future plans, creating a special moment that celebrated their achievements.

Congratulations to the Naselle Drama Club on a job well done.