'Beehive' revue romps through '60s

By Joseph T. Rozmiarek
Advertiser Drama Critic

Beehives and other 1960s styles are the hallmark of the musical revue now playing at Manoa Valley Theatre. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser 'Beehive' The original run — 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, through March 23 — is virtually sold out. The play has been extended at the same times through March 30. Manoa Valley Theatre Tickets Original run: $30 general; $10 for those 25 or younger; $5 discounts for seniors and military Extended run: $35 general; discounts above also apply. 988-6131

The collection of songs compiled into a musical review by Larry Gallagher is directed and choreographed for Manoa Valley Theatre by Andrew Sakaguchi. It loosely traces American social history from 1960 to 1968 as reflected by girl singers — from the innocence of "The Name Game" and "My Boyfriend's Back" to the booze and drug counterculture of "Me and Bobby McGee."

The connecting image is hair, big hair, enormous hair, make-Dolly-Parton's-wig-collection-shrink-by-comparison hair. Hence, the show's title — and does anyone remember that the sleek and upswept beehive hairstyle was built up and over a soup can?

Production credits usually don't lead off with the hairdresser, but Greg Howell deserves that honor for this show. He's whipped up an expansive collection of hairpieces that defy gravity by cantilevering curls where no one has dared go since the excesses of Marie Antoinette. Each of the seven performers sports multiple styles in a kaleidoscope of Clairol tones from midnight black to flaming copper to peroxide madness.

Hot on Howell's heels comes costume designer Athena Espania with a vivid collection of shirtwaist dresses, baby-doll nighties, slinky sequined gowns, mini-skirts, boots and tie-dyed peasant blouses.

One is positively humbled by the extravagance of the display.

Except for Sakaguchi and his cast, who are obviously energized by it.

Alison Maldonado is wonderful as both Diana Ross ("I Hear a Symphony") and Tina Turner ("Proud Mary"). Patrice Scott is a blast as Janice Joplin ("Try — Just a Little Bit Harder"), while Riya Davis and Sandy Tsukiyama de Oliveira duet effectively on "Do Right Woman".

Bryna O'Neill is featured on "Society's Child," Michelle Baltazar energizes "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and Tricia Marciel laments "Don't Sleep in the Subway."

Undoubtedly, you will find plenty more of your favorites among the revue's 40 musical numbers.

And it certainly doesn't hurt that musical director Alethea Train has assembled an excellent powerhouse of a stage band featuring Keith Griffin, Greg Wills, Jan Chang, Fred Oshiro and Keoki Van Orden — who collectively punch out a contagious version of the surfer hit "Wipeout."

All this plays out in a very slick, nightclub style set by Karen Archibald that places the musicians center stage and sandwiches them between gauzy curtains and Mylar streamers.

Uplit industrial scaffolding and exposed lighting instruments look almost elegant.

Audiences will love this show, and it already has been extended.