Putting on the Ditz: Julia Turner is Ditzy Flapper in Drowsy

Julia Turner (left) as Kitty and Lark Haunert (right) as Janet with Barbara Bruno (center) as the Drowsy Chaperone
PHOTO:  Jan Cartwright

The Drowsy Chaperone is a parody of American musical comedies in the 1920s, and any portrayal of the Roaring Twenties would not be complete without a flapper girl!  A “flapper” is defined as “a fashionable young woman intent on enjoying herself and flouting conventional standards of behavior.”  Julia Turner plays Kitty, a ditzy flapper girl in the Farmington Players production of Drowsy (April 26 – May 18 at the Barn Theater). 

Julia describes Kitty as “very sweet and very naïve.  She is not the brightest but has good intentions.   Kitty is a bit jealous of Janet and craves the spotlight because she truly believes she is a star.”  Julia says she “fell in love with Kitty” on her first reading of the script: “The character description for Kitty literally read ‘dumb blonde chorine’ and of course the running joke now is that I was perfectly type-cast for the role!”

Julia believes that “most people have their one show, book or movie that they are enamored with and see themselves as a part of the story.  As a little girl, I was captivated by The Little Mermaid.  As far as I was concerned, I was Ariel.”  Similarly, as Julia says, “The Man in the Chair has so many personal connections and memories that go along with The Drowsy Chaperone and takes the show to heart.” Drowsy is actually a show-within-a-show, jumping from the Man’s narration in the present back to the 1920’s. The Man’s passion for Drowsy draws the audience in and their experience is enhanced by his enthusiasm for it.

Julia describes The Drowsy Chaperone as “a period piece with fun, colorful costumes, big dance numbers, and even blindfolded roller skating! This show is fun and cheesy but has a lot of heart, and you can’t help but to love the characters. The blatant jokes and stereotypes in this show are over the top and hilarious.  Audiences will relate to Janet’s conundrum of whether to stay in the spotlight or settle down as a wife.  Everyone knows a Mrs. Tottendale, who you can’t help to love even though she may have a few screws loose.” 

Julia’s involvement in theater started in high school in Toledo (Surprise!) Ohio.  After moving here a few years ago with her husband from West Virginia to Royal Oak, she was inspired to return to the theater.  Julia made her Barn debut last year as Rapunzel in Into the Woods.  Julia is “so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this fun, fast and hysterical show.  The Farmington Players have given me the creative outlet I’ve been craving alongside an incredibly talented, supportive and HILARIOUS cast and crew.” When not performing, Julia enjoys travelling, watching and playing sports and spend most of the summer either boating on Lake Erie or off-roading on trails in Northern Michigan.

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.