Legally Blonde's Curry Stepping High in 'Idaho!' at NYMF

Move over little doggie, there's a new show in town....IDAHO! is a tale of love and sex on the prairie baked to bawdy perfection and set during the "Golden era" of Broadway. From a land where men were men, women were for sale to the highest bidder and the laws of musical comedy were meant to be broken, IDAHO! is an original "high-steppin'" song and dance musical ripped from the earth like a fresh dug spud.

Presented by the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Sharon Carr and Richard Winkler, IDAHO! (www.IdahoMusical.com) is a new American comedy musical with book, music and lyrics by Buddy Sheffield and music by Keith Thompson. The show runs September 25th at 8:00pm, September 26th at 5:00pm, September 28th at 5:00pm, September 28th at 9:00 pm, September 30th 9:00pm, and October 4th at 9:00pm at 37 Arts Theatre (450 W. 37th Street).

I was able to corral up one of the stars of the show, Beth Curry, who is also currently appearing in Legally Blonde The Musical as well, to share some tall tales about the show and life in the theatre.

TJ: Hi Beth!  So, what's all this about love and sex on the prairie?

CURRY:  Hi Sassy! Ah, sex on the prairie...yes...oh...wait...you said love too. Right. ;) We are having a blast. Talk of sex with plow horses and sweeping love songs. What more can you ask for?!

TJ: I thought it was kind of funny when I read that the choreographer had done "Little House on the Prairie"!

CURRY:  Yes, Michelle has a few Prairie tricks. She is wonderful. They have brought together an amazing creative team. Matt Lenz and Michelle work seamlessly together. Both have a wonderful sense of humor and a keen eye. And the best part, they allow you to play, which in my mind, is the best part of creating something new.

TJ: So the show is called IDAHO and you play Ida the "ho"?? A little play on words there?

CURRY:  Ida is a very loving girl. VERY loving. LOL. She really just has an immense amount of affection and doesn't see a problem with loving everyone and everything....even the plow horses. (But she's not admittin' to the plow horses) .

TJ: Tell me a little bit about the "ho" you are playing.

CURRY:  Ida Dunhum is a loving girl, as I said before. She loves the attention. She is probably the third cousin of Ado Annie. She knows that a girl is supposed to be a virgin, but just can't help it when she sees a feller's pants begin a bulgin. Through the journey of the show, she is pursued by Slim Johnson, played by the fabulous Stacey Todd Holt. It is the journey of her going from a prairie of men, to just one man.  I am not going to to admit that this might have mirrored my own journey... but it did. LOL. I met my very own Slim Johnson recently and couldn't be happier :)

TJ: Tell me about some of the music that you sing in the show.

CURRY:  The music is amazing. Keith Thompson has crafted a beautiful score. You are swept away by the gorgeous melodies and then you are hit with beautifully bawdy lyrics. Beauty and laughter.  It pays homage to the Golden Age of Broadway. Keith is an uber genius!!!!!!!

TJ: So, are you still doing Legally Blonde while you are doing this?