The show began in 1999 as a spoof of old musicals for the stag party before the wedding of Toronto theatre performers Bob Martin and Janet Van De Graaff. It was then transferred to the Toronto Fringe, where David Mirvish saw it and produced an expanded version at the Theatre Passe Muraille, still in 1999. It appeared at the Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto in 2001. In 2005 it had an out-of-town engagement at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles before finally coming to Broadway. The Broadway production opened on May 1, 2006 at the Marquis Theatre, where it continues to play. It was nominated for an amazing 13 Tony Awards, and won five, for Best Book and Best Score, Best Featured Actress (Beth Leavel) and Best Scenic and Costume Design. A London production began previews at the Novello Theatre on May 14, 2007. A national tour is also in the works. |  The Drowsy Chaperone at the Novello Theatre |