BWW Previews: ENJOY A GOOD CLEAN TIME AS HONKY TONK LAUNDRY SPINS INTO The Show Palace Dinner Theatre

Imagine working in musical theatre, doing what you love with a good friend. Add in some classic and contemporary country music and you have the story behind the story of the musical Honky Tonk Laundry opening July 21 at The Show Palace Dinner Theatre.

Millicent Hunnicut and Bridgette Karl star respectively as Lana Mae Hopkins, owner of the Wishy Washy Washateria and employee, Katie Lane Murphy. Both Millicent and Bridgette performed together at Show Palace in The Great American Trailer Park under the talented direction of Matthew Belopavlovich. Just like the characters they play, the actresses bonded and when an opportunity arose to perform the two-women show with Matthew as the director, the two jumped at the chance.

"The nice thing about these two women is when Show Palace contacted me about possibly directing, I said I knew exactly who I wanted. I asked Millicent and Bridgette to submit (performing) some country music, but I had my mind and heart set on these two specific actresses," said Matthew. "It was one of those moments where I thought I know the perfect people for these roles. I know I can trust them with such a burden of material. It's a lot of material for two people. They hardly ever leave the stage."

Described by Matthew as "a really great Hallmark movie combined with a trip to the Grand Ole Opry in the same evening," written by Robert Bean, Honky Tonk Laundry tells the story of Lana Mae who has to abandon her dreams of being a country singer in Nashville to return home to inherit the family laundry mat, gets married, and finds herself reporting to her lazy cheating "boss man" husband Earl. She's in dire need of a new employee when jilted Katie enters in desperate need of a job. The two commiserate over men, folding laundry, and a friendship is formed. Katie encourages Lana Mae to reconnect with her dream of being a national country singer by creating a show right in the laundry. Of course, in the end, good ol' boy Earl must get his comeuppance.

Musically directed by Matty Colonna, the show features songs from country artists from the past and present like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, The Dixie Chicks, and Martina McBride.

"We get to sing country songs from the legends and it's a good ol' time," said Bridgette. "This is a such a collaborative project. We have some amazing country music and it's been an incredible experience. My favorite song (in the show) is tie between Martina McBride's Independence Day and Reba McEntire's Take It Back. I look up those singers utterly and completely."

Coming from North Carolina, Millicent said that felt like she knew the characters, that she might have even met them in some point in her life.

"The music is really across the board - truly contemporary and old-school country. The way it was written, it really fits perfectly in the plot," she said. "This show is a little bit women-empowerment. They fight for their freedom, their happiness and take back their lives. I want the audience to be singing the songs and feel like they had a really great time with such a sweet story."

Matthew agreed.

"The story is funny and has a great heart. It kind of wraps up at the end of act one and then act two is a celebration of their dreams, their goals - done in the style of the Grand Ole Opry. It's really cool how they do a show within a show during act two.

"When you see these two ladies, there is a relationship that's already been established. There is a bond that brings a truth to the story because of their real friendship and I know that they're going to bring that to the performance. (The story shows that) you may find a lifelong friend later in life. Lana Mae has a great quote that I'm paraphrasing 'I thought my BFF days were over.' I think that the message of this show is you can have a strong friendship no matter what point of life you are in. When you find someone who supports your dreams and is there for you in your greatest time of need, hold on to them tightly."

Honky Tonk Laundry is at The Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson, FL. with performances July 21 through August 19. Dinner and show, $50.50, plus tax and tip; show only, group, and youth tickets available. Call (727) 863-7949 or visit http://showpalace.net/2018shows.htm.