Playhouse will stage ghostly sequel

Events

Discussion

August 7, 2009

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat Fri Aug 07, 2009, 02:04 PM EDT

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

Can an angel have a ghost?

It does in this musical sequel.

“Bubba’s Revenge,” the sequel to “Honky Tonk Angels,” will be onstage Aug. 18-30 at Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown.

The show was written by Ted Swindley, who wrote “Always ... Patsy Cline” in addition to the original “Honky Tonk Angels.”

It is being directed by Chan Harris, who directed “Honky Tonk Angels” at the playhouse in 2004.

Mary Ehlinger, who starred as Angela in 2004, is returning in the same role.

“She’s the only one of the original three who is coming back,” Harris said.

The other angels are Juliet Brooks as Darlene and Ashley Puckett Gonzales as Sue Ellen.

The play begins with Darlene, who is a country star, being killed when a giant disco ball falls and strikes her while she is onstage.

Darlene is a ghost for the rest of the show, and only Angela’s husband, Bubba, can see her.

Everyone decides to do a reunion concert in Darlene’s honor, and the setting will be Hillbilly Heaven, the club where the angels first performed and which they have inherited.

Angela brings Bubba, who doesn’t have the enthusiasm of Darlene’s fans.

“We want to celebrate Darlene’s life, but he has a chip on his shoulder,” Ehlinger said.

“He needs to embrace the music everyone else loves and accept people for who and what they are.”

The other characters must learn to accept him, too, and realize there is more to him than being a redneck.

“This is a play about people being underestimated,” Harris said. “Those snap judgements we all make that are usually not true are the core of the show.

“This is an outrageous musical, and I have an extremely funny group of actors who are very inventive,” he added.

Music is the most important aspect of the show, and genres run the gamut from The Carpenters and The Beatles to gospel and country.

“The lyrics reflect the story line,” Ehlinger said.

Harris added that it can make a song funnier or sweeter when the actor is in character.

A fast-moving and fun gospel medley in the second act will include snippets of 15 to 20 old-time gospel songs.

“There will be a band on stage, and they’re integral to the show,” Ehlinger said.

The musicians are Terry Osman on keyboard, Mark Weakland on percussion, Nathan Santos on bass, Beth Pile on fiddle, Joe Golden on guitar and Bob Crafton on pedal steel guitar.

Frederic Heringes has been cast in the title role of Bubba, and the rest of the cast will be rounded out by Eric Deiboldt and Matthew Steffens.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Events

Go jump in a lake | Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge at Que to raise funds for Special Olympics
It takes a hearty soul to jump into a freezing Pennsylvania lake in February and pay money to do it. But that’s what organizers of the first official Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge are counting on. On Saturday, if people donate to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, they can go jump in a lake.

February 6, 2012
Area high schools have scheduled spring shows
February 5, 2012
Westmont Hilltop High School has reached theatrical milestone
“The Pirates of Penzance” will mark Westmont Hilltop High School’s 50th year of presenting musical theater.

February 5, 2012
Curtains rising | Students acting out roles in spring productions
A variety of performances that promise to be entertaining are scheduled for area high school stages.

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
Tribute band to play best of Pink Floyd at War Memorial
This arena show will bring the lights and sounds of Pink Floyd. Brit Floyd, billed as the world’s greatest Pink Floyd show, will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St., Johnstown.

February 4, 2012
Religion in brief | Holy Trinity sets worship services
Worship services for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 525 Main St., Berlin, will be held at 5:30 tonight and 9 a.m. Sunday, followed by Sunday school at 10:15.

February 4, 2012
Events | Slippery slide
The 36th annual World Championship Ice Racing Series will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St., Johnstown.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show a nine-day extravaganza
If exploring the outdoors sounds appealing, then attending the 57th Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show may deserve a visit. Touted as the largest show of its kind in North America, it has attracted hundreds of thousands of devotees who want to see the latest in outdoor equipment and enjoy shows and educational seminars. This year’s expo will be held Saturday through Feb. 12 at the Farm Show Complex, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg.

February 3, 2012
Fat Friday fundraiser will back bandshell
The Roxbury Bandshell Preservation Alliance is bringing the spirit of Mardi Gras to Johnstown. Members of the group will conduct their sixth annual Fat Friday fundraiser on Feb. 17 at Richland Township firemen’s banquet hall, 1321 Scalp Ave.

February 1, 2012
Armchair Travel Series | Popular sightseeing presentations return to flood museum for second season
A travelogue series that was so successful it sold out last winter is returning for another round. An Armchair Travel Series, sponsored by First Commonwealth, will be presented at 3 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26, March 18 and April 22 on the third floor of the Johnstown Flood Museum, 304 Washington St., Johnstown.

February 1, 2012
More Events Headlines

What was your favorite ad?

Events

Search Results

Discussion

Playhouse will stage ghostly sequel

Did it bother you when British singer M.I.A. extended her middle finger during Madonna's halftime performance at the Super Bowl?

Contact Us