BWW Reviews: BEEHIVE Delights Crowd

After two weeks stuck in the house with a bad back, it was time to venture out and see a play. BEEHIVE at the Virginia Samford Theatre was exactly the prescription I needed. High energy and fast paced, it made me forget about my troubles for awhile and focus on the great music of the 60's. From the beautiful giant jukebox set, to the talented musicians who make up the band, every aspect of this presentation is spot on.

The show really has no story line and although I am a believer in plays having a message and teaching us a lesson, there are those times you just want to be entertained by the music and smile with the cast. This offering makes you smile from start to finish and although I am in no shape to dance, makes you want to tap your toes and sing along, something the older ladies beside me certainly did a few times.

The first act began on this particular night with Tony Award winner Louise Beard crossing the stage with a giant dime to feed into the jukebox and begin the show. That first act is comprised of songs from 1960- 1962 and is loosely held together by the ladies telling tales of when they were preteens, daydreaming of boyfriends and being BFF's to the singers they idolize. But the major focus is always the music.

Act Two starts off strong with, in my opinion, the best number of the night. Alexis Marcus, far and away the youngest cast member, sings a sultry rendition of "The Beat Goes On", the old Sonny and Cher song. During the song she tells the history of 1963 and beyond, discussing the assassination of President Kennedy, the Civil Rights movement and the start of the war in Vietnam. Her sexy delivery of the song, juxtaposed with her wide eyed innocent view of some of our countries toughest times, makes for a thought provoking and beautiful presentation. I would have paid the ticket price and gotten out of the house again on a rainy night just to see that one performance. The rest of the second act continues on a tiny bit more serious note than the first due to the times it portrayed, although it is still focused on the music of the time.

My second favorite number of the night is sung by Joycelyn Whatley, a real life music teacher, who is one of the most amazing singers I have ever heard. She sings many memorable songs during the evening including some Aretha Franklin that was superb, but "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" stuck with me the most.

Carl Dean, who I know best as a talented choreographer, serves as director and choreographer for BEEHIVE. Although he has done some brilliant work as a director (last year's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at VST in particular) this current job seems like it should have been easy with so much talent singing and dancing on that stage. Kudos to him and everyone else who handles the technical side of the night. With so many different cues and so much background singing from offstage it could have been a technical mess. Instead, at least from the audience's perspective, it happens flawlessly.

After an extra long curtain call (I guess 7 divas need their applause) I hobbled back to my car, still sore but with a little more spring in my step. If you need a little fun in your life and a super entertaining night out, I highly recommend BEEHIVE, showing now through September 28 at Virginia Samford Theatre.

Photo Credit: Talia Pepke- VST Facebook Page

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