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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us February 11, 2006 In Review | Honky Tonk Laundry by Tidings reviewer Roberta Kent Musical doesn’t let the songs bring it down Who woulda thought that a show filled with “he done me wrong — again” songs could be so much fun? Well, let me tell you, “Honky Tonk Laundry” by Roger Bean, now playing at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, is an absolute hoot. Once again, the hook here is the slimmest excuse to sing some of the best country music ever written by and for women performers. “Honky Tonk Laundry’s” premise is simple. Lana Mae Hopkins (Jill Anderson) runs the Wishy Washy Washeteria every single day, seven days a week. Her husband Earl is supposed to help out, but somehow he never quite makes it. One day, Katie Lane (Ginger Bess Simons) drops in, badly in need of a laundered blouse and some TLC. Lana Mae needs help; Katie needs a job. Both women have man troubles. The bond is formed and “Honky Tonk Laundry” gets off the ground with a bang. Anderson is the Dolly Parton clone, with special mention to the costumes by Kerri Lea Robbins and wigs by Victoria King. Simons morphs from the country mouse to a country-western belle in her own right. The two women have wonderful voices with astonishing range. Their harmony could stop traffic. Anderson also directed the show and provided the choreography. There is a storyline here. Honest. As the score zaps from “Nine to Five” to “I Need a Vacation” (where Lana Mae laments that what she really needs is a “wife” to do all the other stuff that needs to get done while she’s at work — a sentiment I’ve often felt myself) through “Stand by Your Man” and “Cleopatra, Queen of Denial,” both women break free of their obsessive, codependent relationships and declare their own independence. Thus the second act, where the Wishy Washy Washeteria becomes the stage of the “Grand Ole Laundry” and the two ladies pull out all the stops. There are some standout numbers in this metamorphosis. Katie’s “Independence Day” shows us the ugly and corrosive side of an abusive marriage — as does the more lighthearted but still chilling “Goodbye Earl.” Lana Mae’s poignant “Jolene” reminds us what an extraordinary songwriter Dolly Parton can be. As is “PMS Blues” by Parton, which had every woman in the audience howling with laughter (and a lot of the men chuckling too ...) Of course, the show includes standards like Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces” and Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” and “These Boots Were Made for Walking,” probably Nancy Sinatra’s only hit. Music director Darcy Danielson actually plays a soundboard in this show. The music is part of the “package” licensed with book and lyrics. On one hand, the pre-recorded music has a lot more texture than the small ensemble usually seen in the Cabaret productions. On the other hand, the pizzazz of a live band and the enthusiasm provided by the Cabaret’s musical team is definitely missing. Craig Hudson’s lighthearted Laundromat set with frou-frou details is a delight and special mention should go to propmaster Roxanna Clover. Playwright Roger Bean also created the Cabaret’s 2002 production of “Route 66” which also came out of the Milwaukie Rep. Other Milwaukie Rep shows the Cabaret has done include “Nat King Cole” and “Guys on Ice.” As always, the Cabaret provides a production themed pre-theatre dinner (by reservation) by executive chef Douglas Todd along with appetizers, beverages and desserts available at intermission. “Honky Tonk Laundry” plays at the Cabaret through April 2 with performances on Thursdays through Mondays at 8 p.m. and a Sunday brunch matinee at 1 p.m. For more information and reservations, call the Cabaret at 482-2902. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Online Pharmacy Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations Hammocks Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams