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Arielle Crosby (center) portrays Tina Turner with Constance Jewell Lopez (left) and Erica Richardson. |
The 1960s were an era of profound change in the
United States, especially after the relatively serene Eisenhower years.
Some of these changes are musically captured in
“Beehive,” a jukebox musical created by Larry Gallagher and presented by Center
REPertory Company.
The story is loosely woven around six multi-talented
women who take the audience on a chronological journey from when Wanda (Erica
Richardson) was in ninth grade through her early years after college.
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Elizabeth Curtis as Janis Joplin. |
Musically the journey progresses from girl groups of
the early ’60s through Woodstock in 1969 and artists like the Shirelles, Aretha
Franklin (portrayed by Constance Jewell Lopez) and Tina Turner (a show-stopping
performance by Arielle Crosby), the Supremes and Janis Joplin (another show-stopping
performance, this one by Elizabeth Curtis).
Some of the highlights include “It’s My Party,” “My
Boyfriend’s Back,” “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “One Fine Day.”
Others include “You Don’t Own Me,” “Proud Mary” and
“Me and Bobby McGee.”
Seminal events included the assassinations of
President John Kennedy, Sen. Robert Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Then there were Vietnam, peace marches and dances like the twist, mashed potato
and frug, and, of course, the Beatles.
Styles changed from full-skirted dresses to
miniskirts, big hair, go-go boots, tie-dye shirts and bell bottoms.
All of this is encapsulated by the ensemble cast.
Besides Richardson, Lopez, Crosby and Curtis, the cast features Monique Hafen
Adams and Ashley Cowl.
They’re skillfully directed and choreographed by
Dawn Monique Williams.
The flexible set, with the band seated on an upstage
platform, is by Kelly James Tighe with lighting by Sim Carpenter. Period
costumes are by Loran Watkins. The over-amplified sound is by Lyle Barrere.
Musical direction is by Eryn Allen.
One drawback to enjoying this production is that no
printed programs are available with artist credits and song lists. There’s a
code to scan with a smart phone, but those without smart phones are out of
luck. This is a disservice to the artists and the audience.
Otherwise, it’s a high-energy, highly enjoyable trip
down memory lane for those of a certain age and an eye-opener for the younger
set.
Running about 90 minutes without intermission,
“Beehive” will continue through June 26 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601
Civic Drive, Walnut Creek.
For tickets and information call (925) 943-7469 or
visit www.CenterRep.org.
Photos by Kevin Berne