Berkshire on Stage

For 25 years since its premiere in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Honky Tonk Angels has been produced in venues nationwide. Capital Repertory Theatre’s glitzy, extravagant celebration of country music, popular and traditional, is definitely a country music lover’s delight.

Ted Swindley’s rather thin story presents a showcase for spectacular artists. We’re introduced to three diverse women. Angela (Erin Edelle), a bawdy, independent Texas housewife; Darlene (Elizabeth Neslerode), a young, naive woman from a West Virginia coal mining town; and Sue Ellen (Kara-Tameika Watkins), a sophisticated Los Angeles career woman with country roots. Despite their apparent differences, all three harbor a similar dream: to make it as singers in Nashville. They just happen to meet on the same bus to Nashville, where they bond over their shared love of music and their Nashville aspirations. By the time they reach their destination, they’ve decided to join together as the Honky Tonk Angels.

So, yes, the plot is not terribly creative. However, the cast is powerfully good, and full of delightful surprises. These ladies can sing and move so well with boundless energy and charm.

Edelle’s robust, hilarious performance is electrifying. She manages to sing such familiar numbers as “The Pill” and “Harper Valley PTA”  in a way that makes them seem fresh and undeniably her own. Nestlerode’s sweet, somewhat melancholy demeanor is irresistible, and she brings an authenticity to “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “Ode to Billy Joe” that’s very touching. Watkins is a sexy stitch, and her “Nine to Five” and “These Boots are Made for Walking” are thoroughly fetching. The lady also skates like a demon.

Their ensemble numbers, especially “I’ll Fly Away” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” were lush and poignant.

I saw the show about two days after its opening, and theRep had many hardcore country music lovers in the audience. They clearly had a fabulous time throughout, stomping and singing along with rapturous applause. I found the nearly two-and-a-half hour show too long, and I wish that the book had been stripped down, but perhaps I’m in the minority there.

Gary John LaRosa’s direction skillfully and adroitly moved his firecracker troupe throughout, and his choreography was thoroughly captivating. I was astonished by the physical dexterity of these women. 
Christopher Rhoton’s set design was a knockout, with big, unique statement pieces (including a suspended rendering of a neon guitar) and, with Travis McHale’s superlative lighting design,  a remarkable capacity to morph from a doublewide Texas trailer, to a rundown yard in the Mississippi delta, to a sharp LA office, to a Greyhound bus, to a Nashville bar. Jeffrey Salerno’s sound design was just about perfect, no small feat in a show so demanding.

Sara Bourgeau’s costumes were stunning as they were plentiful. The variety of clothing, whether down-home, office chic, or nightclub shimmer, was outstanding and served the performers beautifully.
Music director Mark Galinovsky deserves accolades for his spot-on work, and do musicians Nicholas Dwarika (upright bass), Tim Houston (steel guitar, acoustic guitar); Ian Kerr-Mace (drums), Harry Lumb (lead guitar), and Lucy Nelligan (fiddle, mandolin).

Ted Swindley’s Honky Tonk Angels, directed by Gary John LaRosa plays July 14-August 20, 2023, at Capital Repertory Theatre, 251 North Peal Street in Albany, NY. Music director Mark Galinovsky, co-arranger Josh D. Smith, Nicholas Dwarika (upright bass), Tim Houston (steel guitar, acoustic guitar); Ian Kerr-Mace (drums), Harry Lumb (co-arranger & lead guitar), and Lucy Nelligan (fiddle, mandolin). CAST: Erin Edelle as Angela, Elizabeth Neslerode as Darlene, and Kara-Tameika Watkins as Sue Ellen. Understudy Madalyn Montgomery. Swing Nicole Zelka. Set design by Christopher Rhoton; lighting design by Travis McHale; sound design by Jeffrey Salerno; costume design by Sara Bourgeau; Production Stage Manager Christopher B. Sadler; assistant stage managers Rose Biggerstaff and Kate Kern.

Tickets range from $27-62. For tickets and information, call the box office 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday at (518) 346-6204 or visit capitalrep.org. The box office at theREP will open 30 minutes before show time.