Village Theatre brings ‘Pump Boys and Dinettes’ to Everett

Yes, sir, it’s a different kind of show. But get ready to keep the beat and clap along.

At first you might wonder what Village Theatre’s production of “Pump Boys and Dinettes” is all about. The musical, which opened Friday at the Everett Performing Arts Center, lacks a plot and behaves more like an odd concert in a very intimate venue.

However, when you realize that these great musicians are talented stage actors and that they are having a blast, it’s easy to sit back and enjoy the fun.

The musical is based on a country-western music show that ran for years in the lounge of the Cattleman steak house in New York City. When the guys in the show began to take on the roles of gas station attendants, the Cattleman showed them the saloon door.

A dramatization of the song sets performed at the Cattleman became “Pump Boys and Dinettes” — life at a wide spot on Highway 57 in North Carolina — and the musical opened on Broadway in 1982.

“It was pretty out-of-the-box when it premiered, and essentially featured a pre-existing band as its cast, which I think is so ahead of its time,” director Brandon Ivie has said. “Before (the musicals) ‘Once’ and ‘Lizard Boy,’ there was ‘Pump Boys and Dinettes.’”

In the spring of 2015, Ivie directed the premiere of Jason Huertas’ “Lizard Boy” at Seattle Repertory Theatre. The Gregory award-winning director grew up with Village Theatre, graduated from the University of Washington drama school, has directed at most of the region’s theaters and then made his way to Broadway. His work at the Rep, Village, 5th Avenue, ACT and Intiman have all been lauded. “Pump Boys and Dinettes” has been about fun and collaboration, he said.

“Having a room full of really smart actors who are also musicians on a show that’s pretty open to interpretation has been thrilling,” Ivie states in the show’s program. “(In rehearsal it was) more like a garage band rehearsal than a traditional musical theater rehearsal.”

Ivie’s cast is truly talented.

Levi Kreis is L.M., the guy who doesn’t even look at the keys or any music and even dances while he’s playing at the piano. Kreis won a Tony award for the role of Jerry Lee Lewis, which he originated in “Million Dollar Quartet” at Village and then on Broadway. During the run of “Pump Boys” in Everett, hear songs from a variety of musicals when Kreis performs in a solo concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, also at the performing arts center.

Joshua Carter, as the good-natured Jim, has been in a bunch of shows at Village Theatre, 5th Avenue, Intiman and ACT shows. He also was part of the first national touring cast of “Once.” This guy can play guitar and sing. He has funny bits singing about fishing and a touching song about Jim’s grandmother.

Sara Porkalob as Rhetta Cupp, one of the sisters who own the diner, is hilarious as a Dinette. Her great performance of the song “Be Good or Be Gone” is sort of reminiscent of Janis Joplin. Porkalob, who has show credits from Taproot, ArtsWest and 5th Avenue, has an award-winning solo show, “Dragon Lady,” which will have its musical debut January in Seattle. And she plays the cello.

Micheal Feldman, who has many local and regional theater credits including Seattle Children’s Theatre, has a lot of fun singing (like Elvis) about the girl Mona, who won’t pay him any attention. This is a guy to keep an eye on.

Sylvie Davidson is believable at Rhetta’s sister Prudie Cupp, who sings about “The Best Man.” She’s been on stage at Book-It, Seattle Children’s and ACT, but she also is a singer/songwriter and a hot mandolin player who performs with her husband around the country.

Though she speaks not one line, Olivia D. Hamilton, as Eddie the bass player, is an audience favorite. Hamilton, who has been in many Village pit orchestras, plays her upright string bass upside down and grooves along with her electric bass. Bravo!

Another musician up from beneath the boards is James “Riff” Reif, the drummer. He was first onstage with Kreis in the Village’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet.” If you are a regular Village audience member, you’ve heard him in musicals such as “In the Heights” and “My Heart is the Drum.” He’s been with Village for 25 years.

Joining Ivie on the creative team for this production are music director R.J. Tancioco, scenic director Andrea Bryn Bush, costume designer Chelsea Cook, lighting designer Geoff Korf and sound designer Brent Warwick.

Have fun. Likely, you will be standing during the finale. It’s that good.

“Pump Boys and Dinettes”

Runs Oct. 28 to Nov. 20 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave. Daily evening shows except Mondays and Tuesdays. Matinees are offered weekends and on Thursday, Nov. 17. For ticket information, go to www.villagetheatre.org/everett or call 425-257-8600.