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HomeArts/LeisureThe Beehive Musical has Clarksville abuzz about the Roxy Regional Theatre

The Beehive Musical has Clarksville abuzz about the Roxy Regional Theatre

BEEHIVE: The '60s Musical SensationRoxy Regional TheatreClarksville, TN – As I stood in the Roxy Regional Theatre watching Brianna Hertzberg, Troy Jackson, Kendall Anne Thompson, Jenae Thompson, and Heather Anderson performing in the opening number of their production of  Beehive: The ’60s Musical Sensation all I could think of was WOW!

This engrossing musical captures you from the get-go, and doesn’t let you go until the final curtain comes down ending the show. Older adults will find the musical a trip down memory lane, while the younger crowd will get an amazing introduction to the music that shaped a generation.

The musical follows a group of young women as they experience the social and cultural growth that was the 1960’s.The songs and the singers start out somewhat shallow and cheerful, however the singers and their songs grow in depth, complexity, and social awareness as the events of that tumultuous decade unfold.

Beehive: The ’60s Musical Sensation now playing at the Roxy
Beehive: The ’60s Musical Sensation now playing at the Roxy

Anyone who lived during that era will of course remember the music, but there were also a slew of world changing events like the election and subsequent assassination of President John F. Kennedy; the space race; the fight for civil rights; the death of Martin Luther King Jr.; the Vietnam War; the moon landings; and of course Woodstock!

All of this you will experience as you sit in the theatre listening to these  incredibly talented women sing the 34 songs that make up this show. Watching the show you get a chance to enjoy music from The Chiffons, The Supremes, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin; among others. the songs include “One Fine Day,” “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” “It’s My Party,” “Proud Mary,” “Respect,” “A Natural Woman,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and many so many more unforgettable melodies!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD171uBIHxA[/youtube]

Their on stage magic simply couldn’t happen with the behind the scenes musicians who are performing this incredible soundtrack live. They are Tom Thayer on the Piano, John Waddle on the Guitar, Tom Tapscott on the Saxophone, Jim Kowall on the Trumpet, Bruce Ervin on the Bass, Thad Wallus on Drums, and Ryan Ploeckelman serving as the announcer.

(L to R) Heather Anderson and Troy Jackson.Stand out numbers included Troy Jackson as Aretha Franklin who brought down the house singing Respect; Jenae Thompson who channeled a young Tina Turner complete with her vocal power and showmanship, I am always a sucker for Sitting on the Dock of the Bay; Kendall Thompson gave a soulful rendition of the Shangra La’s Remember (Walking in the Sand), and tied the show together with her style and personality; while Brianna Hertzberg nailed Society’s Child, and Heather Anderson did a masterful job portraying Janis Joplin.

This isn’t your usual musical where the audience is expected to watch passively. You are strongly encouraged to clap along with the beat, to sing along to your favorite songs or even at times to dance in the aisles; at the show I attended one gentleman was even serenaded on stage.

The set features three decorative gigantic cans of hairspray which when rotated revealed other uses. The costuming was straight from that era from the hairdo’s to the gorgeous outfits that changed with the times. The most creative perhaps was Kendall Anne Thompson’s shower curtain skirt complete with the rings.

I can’t recommend this show enough, if you havn’t yet been to see a show at the Roxy, you really should make this your first!

Beehive runs through October 15th, playing Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm. Tickets are $20.00 (adults) and $15.00 (ages 13 and under) and may be reserved online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at 931.645.7699, or at the theatre during regular box office hours (9:00am-2:00pm, weekdays).

Musical Numbers

Act I


 
Song
Performer
“Let’s Rock”   Kendall
“The Name Game”   Company
“My Boyfriend’s Back”   Brianna
“Sweet Talkin’ Guy”   Kendall
“One Fine Day”   Troy
“I Sold My Heart To The Junkman”   Troy
“Academy Award”   Troy
“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”   Heather
“Remember (Walking In The Sand)”   Kendall
“I Can Never Go Home Again”   Kendall
“Where Did Our Love Go”   Jenae
“Come See About Me”   Jenae
“I Hear A Symphony”   Jenae
“It’s My Party”   Kendall
“I’m Sorry”   Brianna
“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”   Brianna
“I Dream About Frankie”   Heather
“She’s A Fool”   Jenae
“You Don’t Own Me”   Kendall
“Judy’s Turn To Cry”   Kendall
“Where The Boys Are”   Brianna
“The Beehive Dance”   Company
     
Act II


 
Song
Performer
“A Fool In Love”   Jenae
“River Deep, Mountain High”   Jenae
“Proud Mary”   Jenae
“Society’s Child”   Brianna
“Respect”   Troy
“A Natural Woman”   Jenae
“Do Right Woman”   Troy
“Piece Of My Heart”   Heather
“Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)”   Heather
“Me and Bobby McGee”   Heather
“Ball and Chain”   Heather
“Make Your Own Kind Of Music”   Company

Photo Gallery

About the Company

HEATHER ANDERSON is thrilled to be returning to the Roxy stage after playing Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music.  A graduate of Belmont University, past credits include Maureen (RENT), Holly (The Wedding Singer, best supporting actress, Circle Players), Shelby (Steel Magnolias) and Cinderella (Cinderella). Many thanks to Tom, John and the fabulous ladies for the experience! All love and gratitude to my insanely supportive family and friends.  This one is for you Mama!  heatherandersononline.com

BRIANNA HERTZBERG is honored to return to the Roxy, following her debut last season in The Civil War.  She will be staying on as a member of the fall company in The War of the Worlds, A Tale of Two Cities and A Christmas Carol.  Other past credits include: Natalie/Ed in All Shook Up, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Fantine in Les Miserables, and Ado Annie in Oklahoma! Thanks to Mom and Dad for their love and support and to the cast for treating her like family. “Phil. 4:13.”

TROY A. JACKSON has been fortunate to take part in some wonderful productions.  Her favorite roles include: Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle), South Pacific (Bloody Mary), HAIR (Tribe), The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Mrs. Beaver), Respect: The Cabaret (Rosa), Damn Yankees (Lola), and The Crucible (Tituba).  Troy feels very fortunate to be involved in Beehive here at the Roxy Regional Theatre.  She would like to give special thanks to God, her family and her friends for all their love and support.

JENAE THOMPSON is thrilled to be a part of all the ‘buzz’ for the first time at the Roxy.  The Los Angeles native studied Theatre Arts and Screenwriting at Azusa Pacific University and has been blessed to have been a part of productions such as 42nd St, Hairspray and The Full Monty.  Special thanks to family, Tom for incredible vision and patience, and her amazing cast sisters — especially Ms.Troy Jackson. “I SEE YOU!!”  1st. Thessolonians 5:16

KENDALL ANNE THOMPSON is delighted to be returning as a member of the Roxy’s company this season, following performances in, most recently, The Sound of Music (Maria), Almost Heaven, The Civil War, Bea(u)tiful in the Extreme (Sacagawea et al.), Doubt (Sister James), Hamlet (Ophelia), A Christmas Carol (Belle/Mary), Around the World in 80 Days (Aouda), SHOUT! (Green Girl) and Dracula. Other credits include: Jerry Springer: the Opera with SpeakEasy Stage Company; RENT (Joanne), Machinal (The Young Woman), The Quick-Change Room (Ludmilla), First Lady Suite (Amelia Earhart) with The Boston Conservatory; Alice in Wonderland (Alice), The Long Christmas Dinner (Lucia), The Man Who Came to Dinner (June Stanley) with James Whitmore and the Peterborough Players.  She is a recent graduate of the B.F.A. musical theatre program at The Boston Conservatory.  Thank you Roxy Regional Theatre for this wonderful opportunity, and a very special thank you to all friends, family and teachers for their love, prayers and support!

TOM THAYER has been Managing Director of the Roxy Regional Theatre since its inception in 1983.  Training includes Austin Peay State University and Lambuth College, and he is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC.  While living in New York, he worked as a public relations liaison for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, created and taught dance programs at the Dwight School and created and taught young dramatics for the Rhodes School.  He is the founder of the Clarksville Theatre Guild, as well as the Roxy Regional Theatre, and has performed off-Broadway as well as throughout the South.  With Artistic Director John McDonald, he created the Roxy’s Professional Company and serves as a director of the Summer Drama Camp, which is sponsored in conjunction with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Department.

JOHN McDONALD is the founder and Artistic Director of the Roxy Regional Theatre.  A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, as an actor John has worked with the New York Shakespeare Festival,  Macbeth with James Earl Jones; Long Wharf Theatre, A Lion in Winter with Ralph Waite; and productions of Long Days Journey Into Night (James); Macbeth (Macbeth); Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (George); and numerous others.  As an instructor, he has taught theatre at the American Academy, The Rhodes School, The Dwight School, Hewitt, and is the creator of the Roxy Saturday Workshop, an acting program for young performers.  Writing and production credits include, among others, Jekyll and Hyde, The Red Badge of Courage, Dorothy Dix: Speaks!, Nora Witzel: A Very Curious Fella, The Picture of Dorian Gray, All Quiet on the Western Front, Poe Unearthed and Headin’ South, Goin’ North for the Fourth Annual Clarksville Writers Conference.

ADAM KURTZ (Production Stage Manager / Company Manager / Sound Designer) is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He is a graduate of Wayne State University, where he received a BFA in Theatre in Design / Technology, specializing in Stage Management. This is his fourth season at the Roxy, and he is excited to be back. His previous Roxy credits include CATS, RENT, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A Streetcar Named Desire, Ring of Fire, Of Mice and Men, Forever Plaid, Into the Woods, Shout, Dracula, Around the World in 80 Days, Ain’t Misbehavin’,  The Civil War,  Almost Heaven and The Sound of Music, among others.  While here at the Roxy, Adam has also had the opportunity and honor to function as the Sound Designer for numerous productions. He has also been able to function as the Lighting Designer and Projection Designer from time to time.  Adam would like to thank Tom and John for this wonderful opportunity and his family (Mom, Dad, Matthew, Lucky the dog, Aunt Nancy & Aunt Karen) for all of their love, support and encouragement.

Bill Larson
Bill Larson
Bill Larson is  is politically and socially active in the community. Bill is a member of the Friends of Dunbar Cave. You can reach him via telephone at 931-249-0043 or via the email address below.
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