“Fancy, a Country Jukebox Musical” at Meadow Brook Theater

Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (member, American Theatre Critics Association; Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle), and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)

At Long Last, Live Theatre! Brand-New “Fancy” Strikes a Welcome-Back Note at MBT
**A World Premiere**

The story of “Fancy” has its origins in the 1969 hit song of the same name by Bobbie Gentry (of “Ode to Billie Jo” fame). The stage musical, in turn, draws from Reba McEntire’s 1990 music video of her chart-topping cover of the song, which provides extra visual and narrative details to flesh out the fictional title character’s life. It’s a classic “rags to riches” tale, in a similar vein as “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. And because this is Country, there’s plenty of cheatin’, drinkin’, line dancin’ and down-home charm laced with just the right amount of pathos.

Co-librettists Susan DiLallo, a noted theatrical lyricist and writer, and Dan Wackerman, artistic director of Peccadillo Theatre Company in New York, created the book for their new jukebox musical “Fancy” several years ago. It had a two-day developmental lab presentation in March 2017 in New York City. It was never produced, however, until now, at Meadow Brook, under the skilled and watchful eye of director Travis W Walter and company. As a World Premiere, it’s the jubilant season kickoff marking MBT’s eagerly-awaited return to live theatre.

Eighteen-year-old Fancy lives with her dying mother and baby brother in a tiny, run-down shack. Knowing they are starving, with nothing else to do, Mama turns Fancy out of the house. Mama’s parting words to her confused and frightened daughter? “Be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy, and they’ll be nice to you.” Thus begins her journey from streetwalker to country music icon. As her star ascends, her life heads downhill: her son in prison, her marriage in shambles, she begins to draw closer to her sleazy manager for solace. The real question is, can Fancy ever forgive her mother?

We hear a parade of familiar classic and crossover country hits, made famous by the likes of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Bonnie Raitt: “Take This Job and Shove It”, “Friends in Low Places” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today”. Larissa Klinger (“Spitfire Grill”) in the title role has a fine, strong voice well-suited for the wide range of songs, from “Mama He’s Crazy” to “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden”. She has an aura of directness and sincerity that makes her likeable no matter what she does. Her bold and brassy gal-pal Sally, with an eye for the gents, is played by the equally bold and brassy Jacqueline Petroccia (“Always…Patsy Kline”), delivering powerhouse vocals every time. She’s especially good in the lively toe-tapper “Redneck Woman” and “If You’re Going Through Hell”, a rowdy duet with Klinger.

In his MBT debut, lanky Max Falls is convincing as Ned, Fancy’s moody, boozy husband. Besides his strong performance, Falls offers good vocals and moves well in some really excellent ensemble dance numbers (choreographer Debbie Williams) like “Long Neck Bottle”, and moving solos like “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. Wyatt Cleaveland as rebellious son Travis and Ron Williams (“The It Girl”), memorable as manager Charley, round out the cast.

The first act is slow-paced, but over all, “Fancy” has some nice staging by director Walter, and Phillip Hall’s lighting effects range from mellow to creative. There’s a fine five-piece band directed by Zachary Ryan that accompanies the action. The flexible, bare-bones, rustic set by Kristen Gribben consists of panels on wheels that transform into barrooms, apartments, abandoned shacks, fancy hotels, and the Grand Ole Opry.

There’s a need to better connect the dots, which could be due to holes in the script, like hazy transitions that can make it hard to follow what’s happening. One scene moves from Fancy living on the street to working in a glass factory in the blink of an eye; another scene changes suddenly from a nightclub to her apartment with no explanation; in the absence of a better script, these could have been more clearly defined with lighting or set changes.

“Fancy”, as it is, is a diamond in the rough. The potential of this show remains unfulfilled, despite the impressive talents of the Meadow Brook cast and crew. Perhaps another developmental lab is in order. But it’s still well worth seeing: Fancy’s compelling story, and the music, linger in the mind long after the show is over. You want to know more, and hear more, about this lady.

When: Now through October 3, 2021

Tickets $36 to $46

here: Meadow Brook Theatre at Wilson Hall

Oakland University378 Meadow Brook Rd

Rochester Hills, MI 48309(248) 377-3300

www.mbtheatre.com