Country & Western is not very high on the Cultural Event Lists of most New Yorkers. Nor are trips to Branson, MO, to eat dinner at Dolly Parton's Horse-Show. But, for those who grew up - as I did - on the Grand Ol' Opry and Alka-Seltzer's National Barn Dance on Saturday nights, there's a real appeal in this music and its often plaintively lonesome lyrics. Adapting the John Travolta movie for the musical-stage may not have seemed a bright idea, but the results are not disappointing. In fact, this is a high-energy show with a very attractive cast. (Rumor has it that it was even better before director Lonny Price and others began tinkering with it.) Matt Cavenagh & Jenn Colella make an interesting off-on-again couple. Sally Mayes and Leo Burmester are winning as the awkward hero's loving aunt and uncle.
No, this is not The Sound of Music, but there must be a lot of ordinary Americans out there in Times Square who would love a down-home show like this! It deserves to run.
