“Beehive” in Living Color at the Wick Theatre
By Skip Sheffield
Talk about a colorful show; “Beehive” is it, playing through
May 14 at the Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton.
“Beehive” is more a musical revue than a full-on musical,
directed by Jonathan Van Dyke. However the Wick production has so many bells
and whistles, including split-second costume changes by seven enormously
talented women, early 60s vintage television set pieces, video screen
projections to accompany songs, and an onstage live band on a riser in the back
to remind you this is live theater, not a recording.
Agent and producer Larry Gallagher created “Beehive” in the
mid-1980s partly in answer to the popular male group revue, “Forever Plaid.”
The show covers the decade from the innocent dawn of the 1960s to its turbulent
finale amidst Vietnam War protests. The journey is enabled through popular
“girl group” songs as well as emerging solo artists.
The show begins cleverly with a giant TV picture back drop
with the seven stars of the show appearing in black-and-white as if on a 1960s
variety show. A scrim is parted and the women appear in living color, in the
first set of Technicolor costumes created by the theater’s own Kimberley Wick.
You don’t have to be of a certain age to appreciate the show’s vintage hits,
because they have become part of America’s soundtrack. The opening number is
one of the few crafted especially for the show. Few people remember the name
Shirley Ellis, but almost everyone recognizes her big hit “The Name Game.” This
novelty tune serves as introduction to the seven cast members: Sarah Amengual,
Amitria Fanae, Kristina Huegel, Shelley Keelor, Trisha Jeffrey, Mallory
Newbrough and Leah Sessa. As the show unfolds each woman will reveal a special
talent. Trisha Jeffrey is in the spotlight first, but it is with “Academy
Award” that Trisha unveils her secret weapon: a thrilling gospel-powered wail
that will amaze.
Kristina pays tribute to the late, great Leslie Gore with
“It’s My Party” with Shelley, Leah and Mallory.
Amitria honors Motown with “Where Did Our Love Go” followed
by “Come See About Me,” with Sarah and Trisha.
Adorable Leah commands the stage with “Walking in the Rain”
and a cheeky “My Boyfriend’s Back.”
Shelley reveals her torch singer prowess with Carole King’s
“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” and she moves effortlessly to pop with “Then
He Kissed Me.”
“Beehive Dance” is a one-off number that showcases the dancing
talent of the ladies, choreographed by Angela Mordano-Taylor and the director.
In Act Two, Amitria channels Tina Turner with “River Deep
Mountain High” and John Fogarty’s “Proud Mary.”
The mood turns more somber with headlines screaming the
assassination of John F. Kennedy, then moves to the later 60s with Sarah’s
salute to Aretha Frankin’s “Chain Of Fools” and Kristina’s tribute to Grace
Slick in “Somebody to Love.”
Out of left field comes Mallory, paying tribute to tortured
Janis Joplin, starting with a rafter-shaking “Cry Baby.” I am old enough to
have seen Janis live once. By then her voice was ravaged. Mallory’s is not, but
she shares Joplin’s passion and despair. It is a show-stopping moment.
“Beehive” has one show-stopping moment after another,
finishing with Leah leading the parade with “Make Your Own Kind of Music,”
backed by a crack ensemble led by Caryl Fantel. “Beehive” solves no world
problems, but it lets you forget them for two hours or so.
Tickets are $75-$80. Call 561-995-2333 or go to www.thewick.org.
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