THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9503010229
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
The Smithfield Little Theatre production of ``Pump Boys and Dinettes'' is nearly two hours of pure joy.
The rowdy production is billed as a country musical review, but don't let that put you off. Its toe-tappin' tunes can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of musical preference.
The humor is in the lyrics - dialogue is sparse - and the way they are interpreted by a cast of very talented, very personable, Southern-styled guys and gals.
The Pump Boys man the Mobil station, the Dinettes operate the adjoining eatery.
Rednecks who would make Jeff Foxworthy proud, they are the owners of businesses on North Carolina's Highway 57, between Froglevel and Smyrna.
They perform on a remarkably authentic set - the service station has an old gas pump out back, and coffee is served at the diner during intermission.
Credit Jim Hurst, SLT president, with that, and his director-wife, June, with keeping the pace bullet-swift.
What makes ``Pump Boys and Dinettes'' so successful is the cast that delivers those clever songs.
Clay Griffin, a country singer for the last couple of decades, portrays Jim, head-knocker at the service station, and lead singer. He is a four-star performer, thanks to a big voice, winning personality and the ability to work an audience.
His cohorts are guitarist Alan Vance, drummer Keith Hearn and bassist Bryan Steelman as the cool Snake. Trey Gwaltney is tres good as L.M., the pianist/service station co-owner.
At the diner, there are owners Prudie and Rhetta Cupp and lots of coffee cups. Elizabeth Hovell and Nancy Pile-Griffin offer true-to-Southern life portrayals and work beautifully together. Their personalities match perfectly, and their harmony is McGuire Sisters-like.
Pinpointing the best songs is difficult, because the play is loaded with good music.
Prudie heads for the audience to sing ``The Best Man,'' and Rhetta takes a solo turn with a sock-it-to-'em piece called ``Be Good or Be Gone.''
``Highway 57'' and ``Serve Yourself'' explain the philosophies of the ``Pump Boys and Dinettes.'' The ``Drinkin' Shoes'' song is a togetherness piece that includes a tap routine by the women.
A couple of songs are a cappella, one has a good gospel flavor, another goes calypso.
There's ``Farmer Tan'' and ``T.N.D.P.W.A.M.'' What are they? Check 'em out.
Each act features one serious, beautiful song. ``Mamaw'' is Jim's tribute to granny; ``Sisters,'' a tribute to family togetherness.
There's a raffle during intermission, so hold onto your tickets. The prize is not a budget-buster, but it is fun.
In fact, the entire evening is fun.
The show continues at 8 p.m. today through Saturday and March 9-11; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8. Call 357-7338. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Trey Gwaltney, center, is L.M., one of the service station owners in
``Pump Boys and Dinettes.'' At left is Bryan Steelman as Snake, a
musician, and, at right, Betty Payne as Liza Jane.
by CNB