Review: Honky Tonk Laundry at Seven Angels Theatre

Dedicated to all country music lovers and those that love them

Waterbury, CT - On Saturday evening, Seven Angels Theatre kicked off their 29th Equity Mainstage season with a foot-stomping country musical entitled HONKEY TONK LAUNDRY. The Equity theatre located in the heart of Hamilton Park in Waterbury celebrated the opening with their traditional opening night party. Ralph Cantito catered the event with a delicious show-themed menu that patrons enjoyed as they mingled with the cast and musicians after the show. For me, seeing what Mr. Cantito will serve is one of the best parts of the opening night experience, followed by tasting the entrees and dessert, of course. More about the food to follow….

HONKEY TONK LAUNDRY was written by Roger Bean, who is also responsible for the cheerful THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES. The delightful music arrangements were written by Jon Newton. The action begins when Lana Mae Hopkins (Caryln Connolly) hires Katie (Laura Hodos) to help her out in her laundromat and they soon find themselves up to their elbows in soap suds and cheatin’ hearts. The musical features the music of Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline and many other female country legends.

The very funny piece is packed with a set list that even I could tell spans decades of classic and contemporary hits like “I Fall to Pieces” and the Nancy Sinatra hit “These Boots Are Made for Walkin” to “Before He Cheats.” All of the numbers on the song breakdown list were written by others; the fact that I did not recognize the vast majority of them did not detract from my enjoyment of the performance.

"My dear friends Bets Malone and Misty Cotton (both have appeared in numerous versions of the Wonderettes series) wanted me to write a show for them to perform together. So I started thinking about it. While I was directing a show in Tennessee, I was washing clothes in a Laundromat, and "Stand By Your Man" starting playing over the sound system. I was humming along as I folded my clothes, and that's how it began." - Roger Bean

Director Russell Garrett allowed both of the actresses to shine throughout and also choreographed the toe-tapping dance numbers. Mr. Garrett (JOSEPH in Sharon) makes his directing/choreographing debut at Seven Angels with this show and will return to direct THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE this season. Katrina Paul served as the technical director for the show, and Tesia Childs is now in her second season as production stage manager.

The beautiful and statuesque Equity actress Carlyn Connolly made the most of the role of laundry owner Lana Mae in her Seven Angels debut and wow, can she belt when the need arises. Ms. Connolly was perfectly cast in the role of the always cheerful owner and proprietress of the Wishy Washy Washateria, who is never at a loss for a colorful Southern colloquialism, and it was a pleasure to listen to her renditions of the classic country music pieces. Ms. Connolly recently played the role of Fraulein Kost in Ivoryton Playhouse’s production of CABARET.

Laura Hodos, a singer, actor, improv artist and cabarista, was just as good in the role of the bit more prim and proper Katie Lane Murphy, with a touch of neurosis thrown in for good measure. The Southern accent is not nearly as strong as that of her boss, and she is far more skittish about singing on stage, but some pharmaceuticals and bottles of beer help with her fears. Ms. Hodos was last seen in this role at the Penobscot Theatre Company in Maine earlier this year, where she also performed in HONKY TONK ANGELS and ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE.

These talented women met here for the first time on September 10. With 14 days of rehearsal, under the wonderful direction and choreography of Russell Garrett and the musical direction of Brent Crawford Mauldin, they have worked tirelessly to bring this boot stompin’ musical to life -- just for you! Along with the gifted set, light, costume and sound designers, and our dedicated production staff and crew, this dynamic team makes the magic of theatre happen right before your eyes. -- Seven Angels Artistic Director Semina De Laurentis

The ladies took turns with solos of the classic country songs and made the most of the often heartbreaking lyrics. However, I most enjoyed the pieces for which they sang together, when their powerful voices blended perfectly with the superb accompaniment of the small orchestra. I probably preferred the story of the first act to the honky tonk performance after the intermission, but enough of the growing relationship between the women appeared in the second to make it interesting. There was also a bit of fun audience participation in the second act to make everyone smile.

The detailed set of the Wishy Washy Washateria in modern Small Town, Tennessee, designed by Carl Tallent, was both charming and highly functional, featuring eight front-loading washers and dryers that served as a fun backdrop for the second act concert. Mr. Tallent, a NYC-based set designer, did a fine job in his first show at Seven Angels. Lighting design by Doug Harry brought out the details of the set and Matt Martin made sure that every note sung by the ladies was heard; many sound effects were perfectly placed.

The costumes designed by Alyse Lamb were bright and unique without being trashy and the requisite big hair was provided by the wig design of Joel Silvestro.

The intricate props demanded by the script were covered perfectly by props master/scenic charge Vikki Meskill. Ms. Meskill is also the scenic artist at the Sharon Playhouse.

The orchestra did an amazing job of performing the wide variety of country hits and were a joy to listen to until the last note was played. They even donned cowboy hats for the second act. Music director Brent Crawford Maudlin (THE WHO’S TOMMY) was the conductor and covered keyboard 1, with Jamie Sherwood showing off his skills on his guitar (Tim Maynard is his sub) and Seth Uricheck on violin (Ryu Mitsuhashi is the violin sub.) Dan Kraszewski was in his usual place on the bass. Mark Ryan is the principal drum player, with Mike Bimonte and Bob Nolte as the subs. Fun fact: Seven Angels summer camp music teacher CJ Janis was the audition pianist for the actresses who came out for the two roles in the 7A production.

Mr. Cantito prepared Southern-theme offerings that included authentic BBQ sliders topped with coleslaw that the chef assembled for audience members who smartly stayed for the party. There was also a yummy warm chicken pasta salad, and a tomato and crouton salad. For dessert, I chose a yummy lime mousse with a cookie. I always recommend attending the opening night performance if you can, because this caterer’s creations never disappoint. HONKY TONK LAUNDRY runs through Oct. 20 at Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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