All Abuzz: A Review of “Beehive the Sixties Musical” at Marriott Theatre
RECOMMENDED
Suspended from the ceiling like a vinyl record about to drop, a circle of memories is practically plucked from the bedrooms of sixties teens. Adorned with pictures of the dreamiest Beatles and record players, this time capsule looms large over the circular stage. The whole set (designed by Collette Pollard) decked out in groovy color tones is like a giant lollipop.
And boy, were we suckered in.
From the jump, this nostalgia-filled musical revue is ready to bop. Even The Beehive Band couldn’t help but get in on the fun. You don’t often see a musical’s band jamming full-tilt near center stage. But that didn’t stop lead trumpet Kellin Hanas.
Even for a thirty-something like myself, who admittedly knew only half the songs, this felt like a trip down memory lane. It’s hard not to when audience members around you are mouthing the words to every song, clearly transported back to their teen years. There are the usual sixties originals like “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “You Don’t Own Me,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and “Somebody to Love,” along with medleys that will still sweep you off your feet.
That Aretha medley by Miciah Lathan? If you haven’t been blown away by a vocalist in a minute, I highly suggest you attend just for this. Then prepare for Aisha Sougou’s Tina Turner to whip you into a frenzy and Grace Bobber’s Janis Joplin to bring you back down to Earth again.
Although revues like this lack a plot, Leah Morrow does a wonderful job keeping us on the timeline. Her panache for physical comedy combined with powerful performances from Lucy Godinez and Emma Grace Bailey won’t let you have a moment to catch your breath. At just over ninety minutes, you’ll be astounded at the clip these performers are grooving. Sure, “You Can’t Hurry Love,” but you don’t want to hurry curtain call either.
Superbly complemented by the saccharine-sweet lighting design of Jesse Klug and the whirlwind of evolving sixties fashions by Amanda Vander Byl, “Beehive the Sixties Musical” is a trip. Even if you don’t fancy revues (as I often do not), this one may have you rethinking that stance.
If you’re anything like me, by the end of the opening number, you’ll be buzzing like a bee.
