Alhambra's PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES to Open 12/28

Drive a ways outta town in central North Carolina, and you'll come to a filling station, and across the blacktop is the Double Cupp Diner. You wouldn't know that this little stop on North Carolina Highway 57 is where all the action is, but once the boys get revved up with their guitars and fiddles, it might as well be the center of the music world. Featuring Ashley Roberson, fresh off of her critically acclaimed and popular performance in South Pacific, Pump Boys and Dinettes presented by WQIK will be backed by a live band and promises to be a fun show.

"We've had such great response to shows like Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes, The Buddy Holly Story and Patsy Cline, that we're really excited to kick off our season with a show like this," said Managing Partner Craig Smith. "Kicking off the season with a big country party will really set the tone for a great season. Judging by pre-sales and season ticket renewals, we seem to have struck a great balance between new shows, classics and shows with guest stars. Plus, having Ashley back for this show will be a wonderful reprise for her and a treat for those who enjoyed her talents in South Pacific."

About the Show: The musical premiered on Broadway on February 4, 1982 at the Princess Theatre and closed on June 18, 1983, after 573 performances. It had premiered at the Chelsea West Side Arts Theatre in 1981, moving to the Colonnades Theatre (Greenwich Village) in October 1981. The show played in London's West End at the Piccadilly Theatre from September 20, 1984 to June 8, 1985 and transferred to the Albery Theatre from June 11, 1985 to September 2, 1985. The production starred, amongst others, Paul Jones, Clodagh Rodgers, Joe Brown and Kiki Dee. The show played for many years in Chicago at the Apollo Theatre on Lincoln Avenue. The musical tells the story of four men (L.M., Jackson, Jim and Eddie) who work at a gas station and two waitresses (sisters, Prudie and Rhetta Cupp) at the "Double Cupp

Diner," a dinette, located somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna, North Carolina. The music is mostly from the country rock/pop music genres. They perform on guitars, piano, bass and kitchen utensils. The original cast album was released by CBS Records in the U.S, and its recording of "The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine" reached number 67 on the Hot Country Songs charts. The show was also nominated for a Tony Award® for Best Musical in 1982.

About the menu: Executive Chef DeJuan Roy will kick off the season with a show inspired by the Double Cupp Diner, but with a slightly more upscale and edgier flavor. The Pump Boys menu will include a first course choice of Chop House Salad with tomato, onion, house-made croutons, and sliced grapes with peanut vinaigrette or White Bean, Sausage, and Kale soup. The entrée choices will include Open Face Cheesy Meatloaf Sandwich with Vidalia onion sauce, potatoes casserole and roasted Brussels sprouts; or Dinette Chicken Potpie; or Fried Triggerfish served with baked tomato cheese grits, green apple slaw, and hush puppies; and the vegetarian selection is an Eggplant Parmesan Sub with pesto, fresh mozzarella, and vegetable fettuccini. For dessert, guests can choose from an Old Fashioned Ice-Cream Sundae with warm brownie, vanilla bean ice cream, peanut brittle, cherry, and whipped cream or the Highway 57 Cherry Pie with raspberry essence served with fresh whipped cream. Said Chef Roy, "We haven't even scratched the surface of what my team can do with this kitchen. 2013 was really good. 2014 is going to be a true culinary adventure."

Pump Boys and Dinettes presented by WQIK will run at the Alhambra December 28, 2013 through February 2, 2014. Show time is 8:00 PM for evening shows Tuesday through Sunday. Doors open at 5:45 PM and dinner will be served until 7:30 PM. Matinees on Saturday are at 1:15 PM. Doors open at 11:00 AM and brunch starts at 11:15 AM. Sunday matinee is at 2:00. Doors open at noon and the meal start at 12:15 PM. Group sales are available. Preview night pricing for the first two nights is available for $38. Regular pricing for tickets starts at $47 for adults and $35 for children. Ticket price includes dinner, show and parking. Call the box office at 904.641.1212 or www.alhambrajax.com.