Spotlight On: Susan Smith

Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into our talented cast and crew of The Drowsy Chaperone. Get to know Susan Smith who is portraying Drowsy!

Introduce Yourself to Our Audience:

Hi, I’m Susan and I’m playing the role of Drowsy.

What is challenging about bringing this script to life?

Just the singing, dancing, and acting. You know. The usual.

Why did you want to be involved in this production?

I heard the song “As We Stumble Along” and really wanted to perform it. It’s really as simple as that, which coincidentally is how I decided to audition for my last role at CTC as well. I guess Beatrice Stockwell and I share that in common. We love a good rousing anthem. (Don’t understand that reference? Come see the show and all will be made clear.) Also, I love working at CTC.

Who is the show is most like their character?

Well, the show is a parody on the golden age of musicals, so the characters are all a bit “extra.” That being said I’d say really no one is like their character…but also, everyone kind of is. All joking aside Seth’s character of Man is the only “real” character and although I don’t think Seth is a lonely, sad, recluse. (at least I hope they’re not) There is a sweetness and fun wit about that character that I think resonates with Seth’s actual personage.

What’s going to surprise people about this show?

What will surprise people is that although the show is fun and zany, there is more to it. To quote Shrek, it’s layered…like a good parfait. I mean it’s literally a show in a show, so it’s like actually layered.

What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?

The audience will be thinking as they drive home “that was a fantastic way to spend two hours!”

The Drowsy Chaperone opens December 1st and runs through December 17th at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!

Hailed by New York Magazine as “The Perfect Broadway Musical,” The Drowsy Chaperone is a masterful meta-musical, poking fun at all the tropes that characterize the musical theatre genre.