BEEHIVE The 60’s Musical
In the dynamic era of the 1960s, while rhythm and blues held its ground as a popular music genre, the rising influence of funk and soul, a fusion of R&B, gospel, and original rock and roll, was poised to transform the music landscape indefinitely. This exciting period, known as the counterculture movement of the 1960s, was a significant cultural phenomenon that gave birth to unforgettable hits, solidifying the '60s as an iconic time in music history. It was a period that accepted alternative lifestyles and artistic expressions, the use of recreational drugs, the days of miniskirts, communal living arrangements, political protests, promiscuous sexual relationships, social awareness, and a unique style of music that had a profound impact on the world's perspectives. Beehive The 60's Musical is an electrifying tribute to the influential female voices of the 1960s. Director Deidre Goodwin viewed Beehive as a love letter to the music of the 1960s. Marriott Theatre's Beehive, The 60's Musical celebrates the beauty of music and a song that could transport us back to the nostalgia of our first love, the pains and heartbreaks of a breakup from that first love, and the exhilaration of discovering our true selves. Through the eyes of six teeny-boppers singing timeless hits such as "My Boyfriend's Back," "Be My Baby," "Son of a Preacher Man," and "Me and Bobby McGee," Beehive takes us from their first Dance, with the music of The Crystals (Then He Kissed Me) to the challenges we faced as a nation during a deeply moving and emotional rendition of "Abraham, Martin, and John — a song originally written in response to the tragic assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. In a poignant and heartfelt tribute, they also honored the men who lost their lives during the Vietnam War within the song.
But Marriott Theatre was featuring girl power with lead narrator Leah Morrow, with Emma Grace Bailey, Grace Bobber, Lucy Godinez, Miciah Lathan, and Aisha Sougou with understudies Bridget Adams-King, Tiyanna Gentry, Clare Kennedy, and Savannah Sinclair. An incredible all-female band featuring Celia Villacres (Conductor/Keyboard), Karli Bunn (Tenor Saxophone), Kellin Hanas (Lead Trumpet), Stephanie Chow (Guitar), Lauren Piece (Electric Bass and Camila Mennitte on drums, this group provided a sheer force of girl power reverberated through the entire venue, illuminating the potential for change within every young girl present in the audience. Filled with phenomenal hits, It's My Party (Lesley Gore), Where Did Our Love Go (The Supremes), Walking In The Rain (The Ronettes), Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (The Shirelles) and Where The Boys Are (Connie Francis), Going Over the Pond, with songs from the Beetles, To Sir, With Love (Lulu), the evening will culminate with a tribute to three groundbreaking female musicians who have significantly impacted the music industry, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin, especially with her iconic performance of "Cry Baby." The audience erupted into thunderous applause for Lucy Godinez's rendition of "Son of A Preacher Man" and for Aisha Sougou, Miciah Lathan, and Grace Boober for their incredible performances channeling Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin, respectively. Collette Pollard has done an outstanding job with the scenic design for this production; adding a circular stage with upper shelves displaying songs and events from the '60s is a visually stunning and effective choice. The adorable costumes by Amanda Vander Byl and the wig design from Miguel A. Armstrong add charm and authenticity to the overall experience.
Beehive The 60's Musical is 90 minutes of pure joy and an incredible music experience. The productions at Marriott Theatre are consistently exceptional, energetic, and captivating, providing a groovy, far-out, out-of-sight night and a wonderful way to spend an evening immersed in great theater.
