Jonathan Crombie Named Drowsy Chaperone's Interim Man in Chair

Call it musical Man in Chairs: Now that Tony winner Bob Martin has departed from Broadway's The Drowsy Chaperone, his starring role will be played by Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie for four weeks, beginning March 20. As previously announced, John Glover assumes the role at Broadway's Marquis Theatre on April 17, and Martin will begin performances in the London production of the hit musical in May.

Crombie, who is making his Broadway debut, appeared as Gangster #2 in three Toronto incarnations of the show. His Canadian theater credits include Roof Climber's Rebellion, Dishwashers, This Could Be Love, Ouch My Toe, Romeo & Juliet, Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, Comedy of Errors, Arcadia, Last Romantics, What the Butler Saw, Godspell and Wimsey Madders.

Through March 18, Man in Chair is being played by alternating understudies Jay Douglas and Patrick Wetzel.

The Drowsy Chaperone begins when a die-hard musical-theater fan identified only as Man in Chair plays his favorite cast album, and the musical he's listening to magically bursts to life, telling the tale of a glamorous bride and her uproarious wedding day.

The show is directed and choreographed by Tony Award nominee Casey Nicholaw, with music and lyrics by Tony winners Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Tony winners Don McKellar and Martin. The Broadway production stars Beth Leavel, Sutton Foster, Georgia Engel, Peter Bartlett, Troy Britton Johnson and Danny Burstein.