John Foley News

It was a full house on Sunday, September 18, for the opening night of Pump Boys and Dinettes at Theatre at the Center in Munster. The audience was treated to a little slice of Americana with this upbeat roadside musical. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!

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.

Village Theatre kicks off its 2016-2017 Season with Pump Boys and Dinettes, a light-hearted concert-style musical celebration of life's simple pleasures, set on Highway 57 in North Carolina. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

Village Theatre kicks off its 2016-2017 Season with Pump Boys and Dinettes, a light-hearted concert-style musical celebration of life's simple pleasures, set on Highway 57 in North Carolina.

Five Chicago actor-musicians make their Theatre at the Center debut in the musical Pump Boys and Dinettes.  Christine Mild as Rhetta Cupp, Shaun Whitley as Jim, Matt Holzfeind as Jackson, Matt Edmonds as L.M. and Cody Siragusa as Eddie are joined by Veronica Garza, who returns to the TATC stage to play Rhetta's sister Prudie Cupp.   The director is Brian Russell and William Underwood is Music Director. 

Village Theatre kicks off its 2016-2017 Season with Pump Boys and Dinettes, a light-hearted concert-style musical celebration of life's simple pleasures, set on Highway 57 in North Carolina. Click below to go behind the scenes!

Village Theatre kicks off its 2016-2017 Season with Pump Boys and Dinettes, a light-hearted concert-style musical celebration of life's simple pleasures, set on Highway 57 in North Carolina.

Five Chicago actor-musicians make their Theatre at the Center debut in the musical Pump Boys and Dinettes.  Christine Mild as Rhetta Cupp, Shaun Whitley as Jim, Matt Holzfeind as Jackson, Matt Edmonds as L.M. and Cody Siragusa as Eddie are joined by Veronica Garza, who returns to the TATC stage to play Rhetta's sister Prudie Cupp.   The director is Brian Russell and William Underwood is Music Director. 

Broadwayworld.com interviewed Sam Weber who plays Eddie in Paper Mill Playhouse's production of 'Pump Boys and Dinettes.' Directed by John Foley and choreographed by JoAnn M. Hunter, the show will be on the Millburn stage through May 1st.

See 'Pump Boys and Dinettes' now on the Paper Mill Playhouse stage through May 1st. Written, conceived and directed by John Foley with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, this fun, fantastic show features an incredibly talented cast.

Last Saturday, Paper Mill Playhouse was privileged to participate in an on-stage marriage proposal during a performance of PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES - watch the moment during intermission below! PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through May 1, 2016.

The surprise Broadway hit of 1982 is served up fresh at Paper Mill.

Paper Mill Playhouse's spring musical, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, begins tonight, featuring James Barry (Jim),Gabe Bowling (Jackson), Julie Foldesi (Prudie), Jason Ostrowski (L.M.), Alysha Umphress (Rhetta) and Sam Weber(Eddie). PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES is conceived and written by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann. PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES is directed by John Foley with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through May 1, 2016. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside opening night below!

Gearing up for Live #Ham4Ham to return? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

Paper Mill Playhouse's spring musical, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, begins tonight, featuring James Barry (Jim), Gabe Bowling (Jackson), Julie Foldesi (Prudie), Jason Ostrowski (L.M.), Alysha Umphress (Rhetta) and Sam Weber (Eddie). PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES is conceived and written by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann. PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES is directed by John Foley with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through May 1, 2016. The official press opening night is Sunday, April 10. Check out highlights from the production below!

Paper Mill Playhouse's spring musical, Pump Boys and Dinettes, begins tonight, featuring James Barry (Jim), Gabe Bowling (Jackson),Julie Foldesi (Prudie), Jason Ostrowski (L.M.), Alysha Umphress ( Rhetta) and Sam Weber (Eddie). Pump Boys and Dinettes is conceived and written by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann. Pump Boys and Dinettes will be directed by John Foley with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Pump Boys and Dinettes will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through May 1, 2016. The official press opening night is Sunday, April 10, at 7:00pm. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production below!

Alysha Umphress will star as Rhetta in Paper Mill Playhouse's spring musical, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES. She speaks exclusively with BWW about why her character Rhetta is a kick in the pants!

Still not over Sara Bareilles coming to the rescue during a Waitress technical glitch? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.' Highlights from this week include THE CRUCIBLE opening on Broadway, 1776 comes to Encores!, Alfie Boe takes his opening night bow in FINDING NEVERLAND and SO much more!

Paper Mill Playhouse will soon present its spring musical, Pump Boys and Dinettes, featuring James Barry(Jim), Gabe Bowling (Jackson),Julie Foldesi (Prudie), Jason Ostrowski (L.M.), Alysha Umphress(Rhetta) and Sam Weber (Eddie). Pump Boys and Dinettes is conceived and written by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann. Pump Boys and Dinettes will be directed by John Foley with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Pump Boys and Dinettes will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater from April 6 through May 1, 2016. The official press opening night is Sunday, April 10, at 7:00pm. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2015-2016 Season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.