Mary costumed a production of Beehive, a revue of 60's girl groups. Starts with the early sixties boy-huntin' numbers like Sweet Talkin' Guy, One Fine Day, It's My Party, Where The Boys Are, I'm Sorry, Come See About Me (man, forgotten how much I like The Supremes), and moves onto the British Invasion: Lulu, Petulia, and Dusty... Yes, there is tribute to Nancy and her boots: like you're gonna pass THAT one up!
First, M did a truly fantastic job, and I think she enjoyed herself more than she has in a while. She built over 50 - yes, FIFTY - pieces fort this and they all looked great. Granted, the critic here is biased, but give it up for the girl. Awesome.
I saw the show 3 times. Final dress, second to last shoe last night (Sat) and the final matinee today.
I found all of this to be a humbling, exciting, and inspirational all at the same time. The second act concentrates most on three performers: Tina, Aretha, and Janis. IMHO the first act is set up completely to get you ready for the second. Yes, the first has great music, wonderful performances, lots of frivolous fun and "remember when?", some of which I do.
I found the second act compelling. It's been a while since I have been actually taken out of myself like that. Look. We won;t see performers like those portrayed (and MAJOR KUDOS to the performers who really slammed you back in your seat with their conviction and passion i mean you're on your feet and don't know it type slammin' and wailin'); we won't see artists like those - and others like them clawing a creative path into a changing world - again ever.
I am not qualified to talk about this in more than a hey-man manner, but I do think it's important for those who don't know to be offered a glimpse of the honesty, passion, and bare STRENGTH that these women brought to the stage. It must be hard for those who are young enough that these pieces and personalities are not part of their day-to-day to understand how much these artists changed the landscape and contributed to the direction of expression - hell, the fact that expression is different now is because they helped forged the way through times of great doubt, fear, hope, and action.
You know, I was reminded of the importance and power of music in ways I had not been for a while. Parts of me felt like they were awakening after an unintentioned sleep ("am I late for something? did I miss it?").
Try (Just A Little Bit Harder), Janis Joplin
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