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The “mother road” immortalized in song by Bobby Troup in the 1940s and performed by subsequent artists such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and recently the Brian Setzer Orchestra, is mostly gone now, replaced by Interstate 40. Even so, its legend continues. In 2001, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater premiered a musical by choreographer and musical director Roger Bean that spans the geography of the country and the spirit of the traveler. Saddleback’s production is a lively, warmhearted re-creation of that adventure, reliving the 1950s on a knock-’em-dead Texaco gas station set by Wally Huntoon with a hardworking, well-directed quartet of guys (Michael Cavinder, Gregory Nicholas, Peter Westenhofer and Norman Wilson).

Starting out as gas station attendants with nicknames blazing, they enthusiastically jump into the Texaco theme song, followed by classics such as “On the Road Again,” “King of the Road” and “The Little Old Lady From Pasadena.” A cabaret setting adds a touch of intimacy so the performers can interact with the audience. There is an

Route 66By Melinda SchupmannJune 24, 2004

enter-in atmosphere throughout; Westenhofer joined me during one of the numbers. Many songs are enjoyable to hear again, but some of the best fun is in the less well-known numbers. Nicholas and Wilson are quintessential nerds as they sing “Beep Beep,” pursued by that little Nash Rambler. Cavinder towers over the group in his 10-gallon hat in “Long Tall Texan,” and he has a killer high soprano in “GTO.” Wilson delivers an evocative “Oklahoma Hills” and makes a winsome red-haired waitress in “Truck Stop Cutie.” Officer Westenhofer swaggers as “Highway Patrol” is executed.

Precision choreography by Susan Cable and well-timed direction from Beth Hansen provide a solid foundation for the finger-snapping, spoon-clacking, thigh-slapping performers. Brian Baker’s musical arrangements are first-rate, and the accompanying combo of Terence Alaric, Matt Germano and Mark Turnbull enhances the lighthearted evening. Easily capturing the “used-to-be” nature of less complex times, it is an easy journey on that route once more.

When the Cabaret Oldtown crew launches into the old song that says, “Get your kicks on Route 66,” they aren’t kidding around.

Well, actually they are kidding around quite a lot in the local premiere of Milwaukee playwright Roger Bean’s new musical revue, Route 66, and that’s what makes the evening a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, often laugh-out-loud treat.

Cabaret has brought together four of the funniest guys in town, and even when one or more of them messes up, they are so skilled at playing the audience a la Johnny Carson that they turn the blunder into a comic bit itself that’s often better than the original material.

Kyle Vespestad co-directs and co-choreographs with Cabaret owner Christi Moore, then takes to the stage with Monte Wheeler, Casey Ross and Kevin Pierce to pay delightful, delicious and sometimes absolutely hilarious homage to America’s love affair with the automobile through about 35 songs from the 1950s to the 1970s.

We’re talking everything from “Let’s Take a Drive” to “Dead Man’s Curve,” from “Diesel On My Tail” to “Beep Beep” (the Nash Rambler anthem), from “Long Tall Texan” to “Little Old Lady from Pasadena.” There’s no story other than the sights and sounds supposedly along Route 66 (pronounced “root” if you please) from Chicago to LA.

The four guys take numerous roles, from the famous Texaco Star servicemen in full uniform complete with bow ties to assorted drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cow pokes, cows—yes, really—and even one “Truck Stop Cutie.” (That’s irrepressible Ross in drag.) They also pilot a variety of “vehicles” around the stage, notably a car tire mounted on a scooter that looks like a lot of bouncy fun in its own right.

Wheeler, who is also artistic director for Cabaret, takes most of the bass lines, leaving no doubt how low he could really go. Pierce’s tenor is at the other end, filling in high harmony to make even simple duets sound full and lush. Ross is a whiz with Beach Boy falsetto while Vespestad, despite an occasional memory lapse on words, filled up the middle. When all four blended their voices, it was as close and tight as any of the legendary male groups of that mid-century era.

While Pierce generally sang it straight, there was real competition for which of the other three was the biggest clown. Vespestad started strong with his mugging, loping body Engish and ad libbing to the audience while Wheeler raised the bar as a surprisingly lecherous “Little Old Lady From Pasadena.” But quick, fearless Ross as both the “Long Tall Texan” and “Truck Stop Cutie” brought the biggest laughs—at least opening night.

Route 66By Bob CurtrightJune 2, 2007

bobcurtright.com

Some theater challenges the mind, touches the heart or perhaps tweaks the conscience—but some is just plain fun.The Stackner Cabaret production of Roger Bean’s Route 66, which opened last weekend under Bean’s direction, falls

firmly in the “fun” category.The show, which had its world premiere at the Stackner in 2001, is a musical revue built of songs with ties to the

now-legendary Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles.Rather than following a plot, the show follows a map, tuning in to local radio stations via a dashboard radio.Opening in Chicago with the “Texaco Star Theme,” the show passes through St. Louis and Joplin, Mo., on its way to

Amarillo, Gallup, Barstow and several other towns before pulling into L.A.The show, built entirely of songs, features four congenial, spirited singing actors, Danny Calvert, Adam Estes,

Zachary Dylan Robbins and Justin Robertson. They fly from song to song, often in tight, close harmony.With no plot to require character development, the actors don characters the way the rest of us might don hats, pulling

one on for the length of a song and tossing it aside to grab another when the music changes.Using the songs as vignettes, they introduce a character as each song begins, letting the lyrics spin out a story.Creative props and costumes are integral to these rapid-fire character changes. A ridiculous hat and chaps set the tone

for “Long Tall Texan” just as rolling stools and delightful car/truck props (basically lap desks tricked out as the fronts of vehicles) turn novelty songs such as “Beep Beep” and “Diesel On My Tail” into goofy fun.

The songs range from rockabilly to ballads and surf music. “On the Road Again,” “Gallop to Gallup” and “Fun, Fun, Fun” are all on the play list, along with an a cappella “King of the Road” that generated a spontaneous sing-along on Sunday.

Route 66 show a merry road map to funBy Elaine SchmidtMarch 10, 2010

Some people probably think Orrin and Cheryl Day were crazy to create the Mainstage Theatre and try and try to bring culture and quality entertainment to Ramona. After all, it’s just a short ride down the hill to everything that San Diego has to offer, so why try to compete with the big boys!?! Sure, a first-run movie might fly with the locals, but live theatre? Not a chance! A musical? Even less of a chance!

But, the Days may have just hit paydirt, and Ramona—in fact, all of San Diego County—is the better for it for introducing the outstanding musical production of Roger Bean’s Route 66 with musical arrangements and orchestrations by Brian Baker. Featuring veteran actors and musicians Scott Dreier, Paul James Kruse, Spencer Moses and Robert J. Townsend, this is no run-of-the-mill production—it is definitely first-class in the genre of the ever-popular and long-running Forever Plaid which ran for who-knows-how-many years at San Diego’s Theatre in Old Town and is still filling seats in theatres all over the country, and it is surely no coincidence that two of the actors are former Forever Plaid performers.

The production revolves around a vintage Texaco station—appropriately named “Orrin’s Service Stop”—on historic Route 66 aka “The Mother Road” which extends 2,400 miles from Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean and spawned the popular ‘60s TV series by the same name. The four gas station attendants, representing the pride and joy of Texaco, sing to and entertain their customers—a trait which distinguishes Texaco from “those other brands.” Musical numbers include a memorable selection of popular “road” tunes from the ‘50s and ‘60s including “Truck Drivin’ Man,” “On the Road Again,” “Dead Man’s Curve,” “Hey Little Cobra,” “Fun, Fun, Fun” and, of course, the classic theme song “Route 66.” The playful “Beep Beep” song will bring back fond memories of the “Little Nash Rambler”—ancient history (if it can even be remembered at all) to most of today’s younger generation but still fun.

Get your kicks at Mainstage! Route 66 could rival Forever PlaidFebruary 2005

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