CATTLE CALL
A Review of Theatre in the Park's Production of
Cowgirls
by James L. Seay
Let's face it - the story was weak and predictable and as for the score and the lyrics,
well, let's just say that Stephen Sondheim doesn't have to worry about saving his
money. The big question, then, is why did I enjoy Theatre in the Park's first production
of the season as much as I did, and I did enjoy it. The answer is simply, because
Central Illinois has talent! Co-directed by Don Russell and Kate Rossi with vocal
direction by Donn Stephens, the unbelievably multi-talented cast of Cathy Doyle, Kayla
Primm, Mary E. Myers, Ann Collins, Tamara Bivins and Sherry Frachey did an
absolutely marvelous job with what they had to work with.
There are probably two reasons why Cowgirls has basically been limited to a brief off-Broadway run and to regional community theatres. First, and most obvious is the fact
that, while the concept (a classic instrumental trio being hired to play Country and
Western in a Kansas honky-tonk) has definite merit, its potential is never achieved in
the script, score or lyrics. The second is where on earth will you be able to find a cast
of half a dozen women who not only can sing, but can play multiple instruments
including violin, cello, piano, guitar, mandolin, banjo, autoharp, accordion, the spoons
and the harmonica? Indeed, in order to cast this production, one of the cast members
(Mary E. Myers) volunteered to learn how to play the cello!
Little could be done about the inherent weaknesses in the story. One wonders why the
character of Rita (Kayla Primm) is pregnant and the character of Lee (Mary E. Myers) is
a Lesbian, as neither condition does anything to further the plot or add to the major
conflict. They seem to be just gratuitous conditions which leave the audience to wonder
what eventual effect they will have in the plot. However, the music, which tends to be
somewhat ho-hum, is more than salvaged by the talents of the cast, who turn this rather
pedestrian drama into a toe-tapping happy time. They certainly are responsible for
making the production into something far greater than the sum of its parts. While the
multi-talents of the cast are the most obvious reason for this transition, the directorial
efforts of Russell, Rossi and Stephens certainly deserve a great deal of credit in pulling
it off.
In a somewhat overly long score of two dozen songs, I particularly liked Rita's (Kayla
Primm) "Honky Tonk Girl," Lee's (Mary E. Myers) "Don't Look Down," Jo's (Cathy Doyle)
"It's Time to Come Home," and Mary Lou's (Ann Collins) "Saddle Tramp Blues." Of the
company numbers, it was hard to beat the finale ("Cowgirls") which brought the capacity
audience to its feet.
As I said, Cowgirls by Mary Murfitt and Betsy Howie sure ain't Sondheim - Aw, shucks,
it ain't even Andrew Lloyd-Weber, but, thanks to the wide musical talent of the cast and
the imagination of the directorial staff, it is fun. I think you will enjoy it. Even an old
dramatic curmudgeon like me enjoyed it.
Cowgirls will play at the Theatre in the Park's outdoor Kelso Hollow Theatre at Lincoln's
New Salem State Historical Site near Petersburg, Illinois June 4th through 6th and June
10th through 13th. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. with a free pre-show at 7:00 p.m. For ticket
reservations and information, call the box office at (217) 632-5440 or (800) 710-9290.
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