In 2020, Gateway band director James Hoeltje was in the middle of rehearsing a song from the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone,” called “Toledo Surprise,” when the cast got its own surprise.

They were sent home, at first for two weeks and then for the remainder of the school year as the covid-19 pandemic began in earnest.

“We tried postponing it and thought about trying to stage it during the summer, but ultimately we had to cancel it,” Hoeltje said.

Two years later, students were once again hard at work rehearsing for “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which Gateway will stage April 1-3 and 8-9.

Working with well-known director and choreographer Larry Cervi, cast members were practicing how to convey the over-the-top emotion necessary for a show like “Drowsy Chaperone,” in which the main character fondly recalls memories of his favorite musical as he listens to a recording, which the cast brings to life onstage behind him.

“It’s a spoof,” Cervi said. “You have to focus on exaggeration. A lot of the kids are used to doing realistic acting, and I’m telling them, ‘No, you have to over-exaggerate that pose.’ It really takes a director to help interpret it.”

For senior Ellie Holderbaum, it is a chance to put on the show she started working on as a sophomore.

“We had it prepared already, so we can get it done faster, and it’s nice to be doing it as a senior,” said Holderbaum, who plays a reporter and member of the ensemble.

For seniors Chris Horton and Gavin Reed, the musical is a whole new experience.

“I play Adolpho, and he’s really goofy,” said Horton, 19. “He has a really big personality. But mostly I’m just enjoying the people I’m around.”

Reed, who is learning his first musical while recovering from a sports-related anterior cruciate ligament tear, agreed.

“Everyone is so passionate about what they do,” he said. “This is like a giant family.”

Hoeltje said that after a musical last year with a smaller cast, it’s nice to be getting back to a relative state of normalcy when it comes to rehearsals.

“This musical showcases some of the great talent we have, and allows us to spotlight our seniors,” he said.

At the same time, April 1 is the earliest a Gateway musical has opened in recent memory, and both Hoeltje and Cervi said they had to keep a close eye on budget savings where it was achievable.

“It helps that we have some scenery from 2020 that’s been done for two years,” Hoeltje said.

“We’re cut short on everything: time, budget, rehearsals,” Cervi said. “So we figured, let’s do something we’ve already put in some work on.”

“The Drowsy Chaperone” will run April 1-2 and 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. There are 2 p.m. matinees on April 2 and 9. For more information, call 412-373-5751.

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