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| Lark Haunert is the center of attention as Janet van de Graaf in The Drowsy Chaperone PHOTO: Jan Cartwright |
Unless you’re from Canada, you’ve
probably never heard of Janet van de Graaf, a Canadian improv artist and
television actress. But even if
you have, you’d never guess that what started out as a spoof of old musicals at
her engagement party in 1997 would evolve into a 2006 Broadway musical – The Drowsy Chaperone – about a 1920s
musical called The Drowsy Chaperone,
in which the lead character is called – wait for it – Janet van de Graaf! Talk about art imitating life!
In the Farmington Players
production of Drowsy (April 26 – May
18 at the Barn Theater), Lark Haunert plays her “dream role” of Janet, who she
calls “funny and sweet, and while the struggle she faces – giving up the stage
for love – is presented as comedy, it is definitely something I identify
with.” Although Lark is a model of
physical fitness – she is an elite runner and teaches Zumba classes – she says “Janet
is one of the more physically demanding roles that I've ever played. Just standing still, her songs require
a lot of breath support so putting them together with the dancing has been a
challenge that I have really enjoyed pursuing!”
Just like the show’s narrator,
the Man in Chair, Lark can relate to “how visceral an experience listening to
musicals can be. The Man in Chair
takes you through how much he loves The
Drowsy Chaperone and how it relates to times and experiences in his
life. While the presentation of
this is comedic, it is also endearing and heart warming. Not only does the show itself pay
homage to the genre, while not taking itself to seriously, it also embodies
what I love most about musicals: how the music and story can make us feel,
connect with other things that are going on in our daily lives, or allow us to
escape them for just a little while and be swept into the music and story.”
Lark knows musical theater lovers
will enjoy Drowsy because the show “contains
most archetypes in musical theater rolled into a funny story with cute, funny,
endearing music, clever dialogue, and lots of dance numbers! It really is a fun and entertaining
show that I hope many, many people get to see!”
Lark grew up in Canton and moved
back here a few years ago, and is raising her 10 year-old son, CJ. She currently works at the University
of Michigan. Lark has really
enjoyed her first experience at the Barn:
“Performing makes me feel alive, and it has truly been wonderful working
with this cast and crew. I am new
to the Farmington Barn and everyone has welcomed me with open arms. I am so grateful to have been cast and
share the stage with this dedicated, talented and fun group!”
The Drowsy Chaperone has 12 performances at
the Farmington Players Barn Theater from April 26 – May 18. The show is proudly sponsored by Tru-Vista
Wealth Advisors. Tickets are
available online at farmingtonplayers.org or by emailing
boxoffice@farmingtonplayers.org or calling the Barn box office at 248-553-2955.
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