The Double Cupp Diner sits on the
side of the road “somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna, NC.” But from June
13 to July 27 the diner – the setting of Pump
Boys and Dinettes – will relocate to East Sonora as Sierra Repertory
Theatre stages another rendition of this popular musical.
It’s the fourth time Sierra Rep
has done this down-home show, and director Brian Swasey (who directed last
summer’s RESPECT: A Musical Journey Of
Women) promises to deliver everything Pump
Boys is known for: memorable characters, toe-tapping music and fun.
“The songs are fun, the
characters are fun,” said Swasey, who will travel from his home on the East
Coast to helm the production. “They’re just everyday kind of folk giving us a
glimpse into their lives.”
Pump
Boys is the
ultimate musical tribute to life on the roadside. There’s a gas station, where
Jim, Jackson, L.M. and Eddie occasionally do auto repairs, fueled by beer and
music. There’s the diner next door, run by the Cupp sisters, sassy Rhetta and
sweet-tempered Prudie. There are six performers, each of whom sings, dances and
plays an instrument – guitar, bass, piano, even wooden spoons. The show
features a variety of musical styles, including country, rock and folk. Swasey’s
favorite songs? “Highway 57,” named for the road the diner is on, and the
hilarious “Be Good Or Be Gone.”
To bring the show to life, Swasey
searched for actors who are also musicians.
“Actors who play instruments well
are really challenging to find,” he said. “And for this show they have to be
singers as well. There are some difficult harmonies, some a capella. We needed some serious singing musicians.”
Playing Jim will be actor and
guitar player Ben Williams. Sierra Rep’s own Ralph Krumins (Buddy Holly) will be Eddie, Paul Wyatt
will play Jackson, and GaryLynn Floyd will play L.M. Rounding out the cast are
Karen Volpe playing Rhetta and Ashley Whiting playing Prudie.
Pump
Boys is a Sierra
Rep tradition, the only show the theatre has staged four times. This summer’s
rendition will be different than previous Sierra Rep versions, promises Dennis
Jones, Sierra Rep’s producing director.
“It will be completely
reimagined,” he said. “We want it to be a new experience for the audience. We
want them to be excited about seeing it again.”
Some of the most enjoyable
aspects of the show will remain. There will be on-stage seating for audience
members. In past productions people have been able to sit in diner booths and
be served by Rhetta and Prudie. And, of course, there will be the rollicking
music that made the show famous. Among the song titles: Vacation (“My dogs are plumb worn out…I need a vacation like
nobody’s business”) and Farmer Tan
(“Two tone biceps, ivory chest…every girl wants a man with a farmer tan”).
“The music is terrific, it’s
really fun,” Jones said. “There’s a joy of life about the show that I think is
really invigorating. We still put on the song Vacation whenever we leave town for a break.”
Pump
Boys & Dinettes
opens June 13 and runs through July 27 in East Sonora. Most Thursday and Friday
performances begin at 7 p.m., Saturday evening shows begin at 8 p.m. and
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. General admission
ranges from $26 to $32. The show is rated PG.
For more information or
reservations, call Sierra Rep’s box office at 209-532-3120 or visit Sierra Rep
at www.sierrarep.org.
