it's a highway 57 paradise

And no, I'm not talking about State Route 57, although in rehearsal I did jokingly suggest we change that lyric. Here's a little more information on Pump Boys and Dinettes, the show I'm now officially music directing at Olde Towne Hall Theatre in North Ridgeville (they're having some issues with their web provider, so the web site isn't updated yet).

The show is set "somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna, North Carolina," and gives a little insight into the lives of four service station attendants ("pump boys") and Prudie and Rhetta Cupp (the "dinettes"), who run the Double Cupp Diner. Lacking for better amusement in their little corner of Highway 57, they entertain themselves with their own brand of folk-pop-country music.

As pianist, I'm also playing the role of L.M., one of the Pump Boys who can sing -- as director Mo Olejko calls it -- "blue-eyed soul" (or as I call it, White Blues). That and my singing about farmer tans is worth the price of admission. Two guitars, bass guitar, and drums round out the group, with Rhetta and Prudie providing sweet vocals on top. It's a fun little music revue that doesn't take itself too seriously.

There are three weekends of shows:

              Fri, Oct 12 ; Sat, Oct 13
              Fri, Oct 19 ; Sat, Oct 20 ; Sun, Oct 21
Thu, Oct 25 ; Fri, Oct 26 ; Sat, Oct 27

All shows are at 8:00 p.m., except the one Sunday matinee at 3:00. Tickets are $12 for young'n's, or $10 for senior citizens. There will likely be a free preview night on Thursday, October 11 as well.

We've already started rehearsing the cast members we have, but we're still looking for a guy to play Jim, who handles most of the lead vocals for the Pump Boys and plays guitar. We have a couple people interested, but nothing settled yet. So if you know anyone in the area... it also pays a delicious $100...

And yes, I did say "officially music directing": there were some vicious rumors (mostly spread by me) I might be moving to Dayton, but I'm in fact staying in Cleveland for the foreseeable future. Per usual, e-mail for details. :)