Pump Boys and Dinettes
Reviewed by Julia Stier
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Extended through August 12
The Sierra Madre Playhouse is serving up a slice of life on Highway 57 with Pump Boys and Dinettes. The show is directed by Allison Bibicoff, with music, book, and lyrics by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel, and Jim Wann.
In a small roadside gas station off of Highway 57 reside the Pump Boys, who do more jamming on their instruments than attending to cars. Plucking on his electric guitar is “loverboy” Jackson (Jimmy Villaflor), while Eddie (Kevin Tiernan) brings the bass, Bobby (Jim Miller) is on drums, Jim (Michael Butler Murray) fronts the band with his guitar, and the Dolly-Parton-loving L.M. (Sean Paxton) plays piano. Their favorite place to take a break is over at the Double Cup, a diner run by the sassy-yet-sweet sisters Rhetta (Cori Cable Kidder) and Prudie Cup (Emily Kay Townsend).
The show is a series of standalone songs rather than a story tied together with music. Each song presents some element of small-town life: the sacredness of fishing trips, the fun of owning a pair of “Drinkin Shoes,” and tales from growing up with with their grandma, whom they called Mamaw.
Kidder, as the older and wiser Rhetta, rocks the house with her rendition of “Be Good or Be Gone,” a dismissal of any man just looking to play games. As Jim, Murray invokes a gentle croon to share an intimate look at his childhood. As the skirt-chasing Jackson, Villaflor brings a boyish, youthful charm to the show. Each member of the Pump Boys is an expertly skilled musician, and they cheekily declare themselves masters of “pump rock.”
Set designer Jeff G. Rack beautifully accommodates space for both the garage and diner, including a large, vinyl booth where the Cup sisters serve select audience members pie and coffee.
Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun. 2:30 p.m.; Extended through August 12. (626) 355-4318 or www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Running time: 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
