Review: Village's Fresh PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES Wows

Even if you are familiar with the seldom produced country musical "Pump Boys and Dinettes" you're reaction to it probably isn't a wild one. In fact when I heard it was opening Village Theatre's season I thought, "Well, this will be cute" but my excitement didn't go much further beyond "cute". I'd seen the show once years ago and have had the cast album forever but it's not what you might call one of my "go to" shows. But with this new production out at Village Theatre that may all change. This is not the production from the 80's or really any production you're likely to have seen. With this level of talent and new orchestrations this could revive this old chestnut. But I'll get to that in a minute.

As I said, you may not be familiar with "Pump Boys and Dinettes". Originally produced in the 80's it was written by the original cast of Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann with additional music and lyrics from John Foley and focuses on the workers in a small gas station and the adjacent diner off Highway 57 in North Carolina. Jim and LM (Joshua Carter and Levi Kreis) run the gas station along with their employees Jackson (Michael Feldman) and two quieter members of the garage, Eddie and Rif (bass player Olivia D. Hamilton and drummer James "Rif" Reif as a couple of delightful on stage musician presences). Meanwhile next door at the Double Cupp diner, Prudie and Rhetta Cupp (Sylvie Davidson and Sara Porkalob) are serving up some tasty vittles to get you through your day including the best pies around. Oh and when they're not working on cars or frying up bacon, they're singing. It's basically a mini concert right there off Hwy 57 with these wonderful performers.

In fact it's more of a concert than I had seen before what with the cast up there playing all the instruments as well. But I guess that's what lead to much of these fantastic new arrangements from music director R.J. Tancioco; tailoring it to these incredible performers. "It all plays to the actor's strengths:" said director Brandon Ivie, "Sylvie's solo guitar, Levi's honky tonk piano, Josh's electric guitar riffs, etc." And Tancioco added, "This cast of Pump Boys has inspired us to go back to how the first Pump Boys was created... a group of very talented musicians in a room making music playing to their musical strengths. We want the 2016 audience to enjoy Pump Boys as much as the 1981 audience did. This is what pop/country/bluegrass/contemporary musical theatre is today. The source material is genius and we wanted the spirit of that original intent to shine through this fresh production." And shine it does as I could easily see this fresh new take go far. In fact I could see this production revive this gem for a new Broadway audience. Pay attention Broadway producers.

And much of that is due to the Broadway caliber cast in the show including Levi Kreis who's already chalked up a number of Broadway credits including his Tony winning turn in "Million Dollar Quartet". I could go on and on about each number that surpassed the one before it but we'd be here all day so I'll call out one specific number where each performer stole the show. There was Kreis' "Serve Yourself" which not only showed off his incredible voice and piano skills but also managed a delicious reluctant seduction to the song. Carter not only acts as an adorably engaging emcee of sorts but also brought forth all the tears with his lovely rendition of "Mamaw". And Feldman turned in a super sexy rendition of "Mona". And then there were the ladies who could not possibly have been better. Porkalob with her delectably sassy and raw "Be Good or Be Gone" showed off her stunning vocal chops. And Davidson's rendition of "The Best Man" practically stole my heart as when she opened her mouth I thought I heard angels singing.

From the minute you set foot in the theater and see the fabulous set from Andrea Bryn Bush you're already treated to a feast of the senses. Not only a feast for your eyes but for your nose. No really, take in a good whiff. And it's the big touches such as the incredible arrangements and the little touches like that aroma that made this one of my biggest and best theatrical surprises all year. And so with my three letter rating system I'm going to award my highest rating with a big ole WOW. If you allow yourself to miss this delightfully fun and fresh take on an already fun show ... well then I just don't know what to do with you.

"Pump Boys and Dinettes" performs at Village Theatre in Issaquah through October 23rd and then moves to their Everett location running October 28th through November 20th. For tickets or information contact the Village Theatre box office in Issaquah at 425-392-2202 or in Everett at 425-257-8600 or visit them online at www.villagetheatre.org.

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