THE GRAND OLE OPRY COMES TO HAYWARD - HANK WILLIAMS JUKEBOX BIO IS OUTSTANDING
Hank Williams pioneered “hillbilly music” cross over to country pop that was created in the 40’s. His fame was brief but important, and his talent changed how we now remember country music. He was only 14 when he first hosted his own radio show, by 21 was married and a star on the Grand Ole Opry stage. At 28 he was divorced and soon after his music became legendary.
The Douglas Morrisson Theatre company - headed by Susan E. Evans, brings this important jukebox biodrama to her Hayward Ca. stage. Randal Mayler and Mark Harelik’s first teamed to create this production in 2002 for the Manhattan Ensemble in New York.
“HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY searchers for the elusive man behind the American myth. And in doing so, uncovers a lot about both the man and country” says Director Ben Randle. The two hour story and song list is an outline of the “Lovesick Blues” singers climb to success. The musical numbers give this concert Bio its arc and wonderful history of why country is so successful.
Cast as Hank Williams is the talented Kevin Singer, who in 2014 headed the cast in Ray of Lights production of “Yeast Nation”. He now wears appropriately a cowboy hat that fits him perfect in the role of Williams. His performance is spot on as the young Hank without creating that pop style impersonation, and his charm steals the audiences hearts. Williams was not the most likable person, drinking a lot and performing at times drunk on stage and abusing his team. Much the same when we see other singers careers who left us too soon.
With the use of first person monologues the cast recreates exploring Williams career and meeting the influence of his sound, Rufus Payne “Tee-Tot”, played so well by Dwight Mahabir. Tee-Tot shadows Williams in this story as we see his climb to fame and fall to fast times. Dwight simply at times steals the performance from Hank with his amazing baritone voice in his solo song “The Blood Done Sing My Name”.
Rebecca Failoa plays his dominating stage mother Mama Lilly, the likes of Mama Rose in “Gypsy”. Rebecca is excellent in this role as she describes her son’s lank built “he is skinny enough to change clothes inside a shotgun barrel”. But the book has some holes and Mama is missing most of the second act. Williams addiction to drinking is a brief mention of a back injury, he actually suffered from spinal bifia, but the story does not explore what demons really drove the singer to his constant drinking and pill popping. The song “I am so Lonely” is the key.
The backup band for Hank is the heart of this show. Ben Randle had to cast actors that were just as talented playing their instruments. The Drifting Cowboys are tremendous with James Touzel, Dylan Collins, Kyle O’Brien and Paul Chianese. The band members share their moments working with the man. Burrhead, played by Collins, points out “The only place he’s comfortable is out in the middle of nowhere or here on stage in the middle of everywhere”.
The story also misses William's second marriage, but Sarah Coykendall is great as his first wife Audrey Williams. She has a humorous number singing off key “I’m Telling You” as the manager Fred Rose (Tom Reardon) has to fire her. The other female in a featured role is the Waitress played by Sarah Mitchell who also holds much of the story told from her radio at the Diner. Reardon as “Pap” Fred Rose is excellent, who also wears other hats as Old Opry hosts an announcers.
The set resembling the Old Opry is impressively designed by Liliana Duque Pineiro. The lighting design to resemble a concert look is spot on by Allen Willner. Hanks white suits and hats - the bands overalls and eventual uniform scarf country look is excellent, designed by Valera Coble. Musical direction by Olive Mitra needed to keep his musicians on stage most of the time, both as actors and artists and that mix was perfect.
Director Ben Randle staging of the performance of Williams is excellent. The flash backs and story move well and his entrance for his actors were clever and I especially enjoyed the cast emerging from what appeared from under the set. Randle has a way in staging important stories on bay area stages and this musical is evident of his talent. The use of the Radio as a memory to Hanks legend was perfect.
I was very impressed with this production. Susan Evans continues to bring the DMT Hayward Ca. stage excellent Bay Area Theatre. Hank Williams is a tight assemble creating a memorable moments of a life lost way too soon. See this current production, it only has 6 performance left (as I post this) and seats are going fast.
HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY,
by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik. Directed by Ben Randle
CAST: Paul Chianese, Dylan Collins, Sarah Coykendall, Rebecca Faiola, Dwight Mahabir, Sarah Mitchell, Kyle O'Brien, Tom Reardon, Kevin Singer and James Touzel
22311 N Third St, Hayward, California 94546
April 16, 2015. 8pm - Sunday, April 26th , 2015. 2pm
Tickets Online - www.dmtonline.org
Photos by Terry Sullivan and Claire Rice
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