Hickory – In the delightful musical comedy THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, a pair of bumbling gangsters are hired to stop a wedding by kidnapping the bride. The upcoming Hickory Community Theatre production features two Kay Award-winning actors, Jared Wachsmuth and Justin Wilson, in those roles.
Wachsmuth, who plays Gangster #1, received the 2022 Kay Award for Outstanding Featured Male for his portrayal of The Minstrel in SOMETHING ROTTEN. This was his second award at HCT, he was named Outstanding Male Newcomer in 2019 for BEAUTIFUL STAR. He was most recently seen on stage at the Green Room Community Theatre as Cornelius Hackl in HELLO DOLLY, which he followed by playing Orin Scrivello, DDS in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS for Lincoln Theatre Guild. Wachsmuth is currently the Interim Technical Director at HCT.
Gangster #2 is played by Wilson, who is a server at Olde Hickory Station, while studying theatre at Lenoir-Rhyne University. He was awarded the 2022 Outstanding Character Male Kay Award for playing Ensemble in SOMETHING ROTTEN. Wilson also shared the stage with Wachsmuth in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, as Seymour Krelborn. “My favorite thing about Hickory Community Theatre,” he says, “is being surrounded by talented people who help me grow. I have loved this show since I first saw it three years ago.”
Performances of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE are December 2 through 17, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm and Thursday, December 15 at 7:30pm.
Tickets for all performances are $16 for adults and $10 for youth and students. For tickets visit hickorytheatre.org or call the box office at 828-328-2283.
The HCT’s 74th season is sponsored by Paramount Automotive, Sunbelt Xpress and Frye Regional Medical Center. HCT is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is produced by Shurtape Technologies, LLC.
PHOTO: Jared Wachsmuth is Gangster #1 and Justin Wilson is Gangster #2 in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. Photo by John Koval.
