As usual, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater opened its fall season with an aperitif at its intimate Stackner Cabaret before unloading the “big guns” of a major production in its much-larger theater. This year’s Stackner Cabaret 2023 season debut is Country Sunshine: The Legendary Ladies of Nashville with Katie Deal. As advertised in the title, this is a tribute to many past and current country singers who combined southern charm and flashy outfits with powerful voices.
And the production certainly earns its “sunshine” status, too, as it focuses on the positive aspects of friendships, mentorships and collaborations that blossomed between these women. Female empowerment is an understated theme that pops up again and again during this completely engaging concert of familiar country tunes.
It doesn’t take a diehard country music fan to love this show. Country Sunshine is interspersed with mainstream hits like Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” Jeannie C. Reilly’s “Harper Valley PTA, and Dolly Parton’s plaintive “Jolene.” (Well, perhaps “Jolene” will always remain more country than pop.)
Star performer Katie Deal, who also co-wrote the show, also pays tribute to the early women of country, including Patsy Cline, Dottie West and Brenda Lee. Expect to hear renditions of “Stand By Your Man,” “Crazy” and Loretta Lynn’s biggest hit, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” While younger viewers may not recall these trailblazing stars, they may find more familiarity with latter-day stars such as Linda Ronstadt, Shania Twain, and Crystal Gayle.
Country Sunshine is far more than just a one-woman show. It’s basically constructed as a concert setting against a plain curtain backdrop. There’s a four-piece band of fine studio musicians (2 guitarists, a pianist and a drummer), plus back-up vocals by Kristin Doty. Deal graciously shares the spotlight with this young newcomer, who provides gentle harmonies to many of Deal’s tunes. It’s hard to imagine all those people on the minuscule Stackner Stage, but they make it work.
From the moment she walks onstage and says, “howdy,” it’s impossible to resist Deal’s effervescence. Although it’s completely unnecessary to point this out to the Midwest audience, Deal blurts out with a country twang, “I ain’t from around here.” The Georgia native quickly warmed up the Milwaukee crowd on opening night, and she even rendered a decent yodel during one song in the second act. No doubt all the Germans and Scandinavians in the audience approvingly took note.
Deal has won numerous country-music awards and has been inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. Onstage, she wears her country style proudly, from the red bandana around her neck to her cowboy boots. Her voice is full and warm, making it a pleasure to hear as she drifts from one song to the next. Her extensive vocal range makes it look easy for her to switch between different singer’s vocal styles.
The up-tempo tunes seemed best-suited to her theatrical delivery, not only on “9 to 5” but also during “Jolene” and “I Feel Like a Woman.” She opens the show with a snappy rendition of Twain’s “It’s the Way You Love Me.”
Deal’s down-to-earth folksiness is contagious, especially when she shares stories from her own life. She excitedly talks about sharing the stage with Loretta Lynn (shortly before the superstar’s death). Deal also performed for Brenda Lee during another appearance.
Angela Ingersoll and Michael Ingersoll, who directed "Country Sunshine," run this show as a product of Chicago-based Artists Lounge Live, which has placed music-centered shows like this around the country.
But this is hardly the Stackner Cabaret’s first brush with country music. The low-key musical style seems suited to the intimate space, and past years have offered Always … Patsy Cline (2018) and Ring of Fire in 2019. Both of those shows were fine productions, and the current Country Sunshine is a not-to-be missed addition to this line-up. Audience members are even encouraged to sing along to some of the more popular tunes.
Finally, Deal sprinkles in a number of little-known facts throughout the 2 hour, 10 minute performance (with one intermission). Which song was banned by the Great Ole Opry? How did a young, autograph-seeking fan inspire Dolly Parton to write the song, “Jolene?” How did the singer Crystal Gayle get her name? If you’re itching to know, the answers are all available in this boot-stompin,’ family-friendly show.
