I snapped this photo during last night’s rehearsal of the Racine Theater Guild’s production of “Honky Tonk Angels” because I wanted to give you a sense of how high the band is perched above the stage. I have no idea exactly how many feet off the ground I was (and it’s probably better that way) but believe me, it was high enough. And although I was fine most of the time, every so often I would look out over the audience and realize how high up I was and would suddenly feel like there were a dozen centipedes crawling in my intestines. (Lovely picture, I know.) It will be even more interesting when there are six musicians up there rather than just one – although by the time the actual performances roll around, I will be safely situated in the audience, enjoying the music and leaving the piano-playing to someone else.
It’s going to be a great show, by the way – with all kinds of great country music songs and a script that is both hilarious and poignant. The story is of three southern women, each from a very different set of circumstances, ending up next to one another on a bus to Nashville – each of them hoping to make it big as a country singer. There are plenty of laugh- out-loud moments- and some moments when more than a few audience members will have tears in their eyes.
And so much of that can be laid at the feet of these three extraordinary singers- Kate, Robbyn, and Dana- who sing the daylights out of these songs and who manage to truly embody these characters. . . and maybe most importantly, have been such a joy to work with. You have this feeling already like these three genuinely love each other – and would walk through fire for each other – which not coincidentally is also the theme of this musical. And last night, the three ladies decided that when it comes to taking bows at the end of each performance, they want to bow together – as a threesome – rather than take any solo bows at all. They are in this together, in more ways than one. And director Doug Instenes agreed instantly.
Anyway, I may not have had the best seat in the house last night – but from what I could tell, this has the makings of being one of the biggest hits the RTG has ever had.
pictured above: Robbyn, Dana and Kate in the middle of rehearsal. Crew members are visible in the audience, along with director Doug Instenes sitting in the right-hand aisle.