While there still may be time to rustle up some tickets for Cowgirls, don’t expect a lot of classic country music, but a lot of classical/country music.
The Cowgirls are in the early stages of training and the fun and revelation is in their transformation.
A refreshingly all female cast consists of a trio of country lovin’ and three classical musicians. The three classical ladies have been mistakenly booked as the band that needs to save the hides of the country ladies from foreclosure of their saloon. The classical group must sing country for their supper or all will lose their livelihoods. And they must do it by nightfall, as the grand re-opening looms.
All of the discover a new respect for each other’s music as well as each other along the way. Their common bond as women reveals that they all have heart, and music is their outlet. They recognize that all popular music is derived from classical music, and so the audience is treated to a broad spectrum; beginning with Gilbert & Sullivan’s Three Little Maids from The Mikado and ending with Cowgirls.
The best thing about the show is the boundless talent of all six women. Just when the audience thinks that one is the true star, the next will perform and trump the last. Mostly in their Drayton Entertainment debuts, they are a real find.
The owner of the saloon and stage is Cathy Elliott, as Jo, a woman with as much voice as heart. Her polished performance is moving in such numbers as Songs My Mama Sang and It’s Time to Come Home. She also doubles as music director in her Drayton Entertainment debut.
Her saloon employees and friends are Heather Lea-Brown, as impressively high-haired Mickey, and Gabi Epstein as the hilariously furtive Mo. Lea-Brown adds dimension to her waitress character as she longs to be a singer and presents a truly appealing case for it. Her fiddle playing is a delight.
Classically trained musician who goes from beautiful violin to feisty fiddle is Lizzie Kurtz, as Mary Lou. Her performance is poignant and her expressive face lamentable as she “could have been in Dusseldorf,” and “Why aren’t there any female classical composers anyway?” She eventually jumps into the saddle and lets loose in such numbers as Saddle Tramp Blues.
Ann O’Kane, as cellist Lee, pull strings with her beautiful voice and appearance especially in Don’t Look Down.
Keely Hutton as the pregnant Rita is funny as she picks up the country beat quickly and announces she “can almost hear the trucks a’ crashin’ and the dogs a’ dyin’.”
The set by Eric Bunnell is really authentic looking as a country saloon and helps to set the mood. The costumes by Julie McGill transform from classical to country in a stitch.
Director Robert More started with Cowgirls earlier this summer at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia where he is artistic director. Cowgirls originally opened off-broadway in 1996.
Not quite a hoe-down, Cowgirls is more of an interesting musical show-down.
Cowgirls plays eight shows a week until Aug. 28. Order tickets by calling the box office at 519-638-5555 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463. Visit www.draytonfestivaltheatre.com for more information or to order tickets.
