From left, Alexis Parsons as the Drowsy Chaperone, Hector Velez as Aldolpho, Josh Woodard as Underling and Hope Eller as Mrs. Tottendale in the upcoming production of “The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. The show opens July 25. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

PARKERSBURG — A musical that parodies musicals opens July 25 at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” is about a middle-age theater fan who plays a record of his favorite music from “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a fictional show set in 1928. While the music plays, the show comes to life on the stage.

“This show is laugh-at-loud funny,” Director Brent Null said.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” is based on a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. It debuted in 1998 in Toronto.

“I think you’ll like the show,” Null, a veteran on the Guild stage, said.

From left, Hector Velez as Aldolpho and Alexis Parsons as the Drowsy Chaperone in “The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. The Guild opens an eight-day run of the musical on July 25. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

This will be Null’s second time directing “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

“It’s just one of my favorite, all-time favorite shows,” he said.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” opens at 8 p.m. July 25 at the Actors Guild playhouse on Market Street. Shows also are scheduled at 8 p.m. July 26, Aug. 1, Aug. 2, Aug. 8 and Aug. 9, 2:30 p.m. July 27 and 6 p.m. Aug. 3. Tickets are $11 on opening night and $22 on other nights. Numerous tickets remain.

The show runs 1 hour 45 minutes without intermission, Null said.

Playing the role of the Drowsy Chaperone is Alexis Parsons, who last performed in the comedy “The Play that Goes Wrong” at the Guild.

From left, Alexis Parsons as the Drowsy Chaperone, Hector Velez as Aldolpho, Josh Woodard as Underling and Hope Eller as Mrs. Tottendale in the upcoming production of “The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. The show opens July 25. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

“I’m having a great time,” Parsons said. “It’s such a wonderful group of people.”

The show is well written with laughs in every scene, she said. Parsons also is the choreographer for the show, her fourth at the Guild with “Grease,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Producers,” in which her husband, Kit, played the accountant.

“This is such a wonderful cast, a wonderful cast,” she said.

Null also cited the quality of the players.

“They’re all professionals,” he said. “Everybody is an A player.”

Rehearsing a scene from “The Drowsy Chaperone” are Josh Woodard as Underling and Hope Eller as Mrs. Tottendale. Tickets are available at the Actors Guild website with opening night on July 25. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

R.J. Lowe, who plays the man in the chair, said he’s wanted to play the part since he saw “The Drowsy Chaperone” almost 20 years ago on Broadway.

“I’m so excited to get an audience in there to see the show and love it as much as I did,” he said.

The part of the man in the chair “has been a dream role of mine,” he said.

“In many ways this role is me. Actually I thought about suing them for putting my life on stage,” Lowe jokingly said.

Cast:

The Drowsy Chaperone: Alexis Parsons

Man in Chair: R.J. Lowe

Mrs. Tottendale: Hope Eller

Underling: Josh Woodard

Robert Martin: Michael Mylen

George: Chris Lewis

Feldzieg: Danny Bayer

Kitty: Alex Lenzo

Gangster No. 1: Conner Medendorp

Gangster No. 2: Jack Peyton

Aldolpho: Hector Velez

Janet Van de Graaff: Mackenzie Perry

Trix the Aviatrix: Chloe Rader

Superintendent: Lyndsay Nikole Richards

Ensemble: Cassie Cline, Hannah Gray, Lexi Hoover, Shroom Moellendick

Production staff:

Director: Brent Null

Musical director: Pete Sour

Choreographer: Alexis Parsons

Assistant director: Wendy Smith

Assistant director: Tim Tuten

Technical director: Nathan Arnold

Stage manager: Lyndsay Nicole Richards

Costumes: Amy Snider, Tina Withrow, and Karen Parlett

Props: Joshua Woodard

Assistant stage manager: Benjamin Baker II

Lighting designer: Nathan Arnold

Set construction crew: Nathan Arnold, Brenda Gerenday

Light board operator: Rachel McClung

Follow spot operators: Erin Bice and Katie Rowley

Sound board operator: Dallas Lacey

Adviser: Deanna Spring