COVINGTON, KY- Jackson, L.M. and the boys have closed up the gas station, fired up the hot tub, broken out the guitars and drums and put on their best coveralls for a foot-stompin’ good time with the girls from the Double Cupp Diner.
The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center (The Carnegie) proudly presents the musical PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES (PUMP BOYS), playing weekends April 13 – 29, 2012 in the historic Otto M. Budig Theatre. Five rowdy filling station boys and sassy diner waitresses sing and play their own instruments in this hilarious and heartwarming country music revue. Directed by Jared Doren, with music direction by Steve Goers, PUMP BOYS is the final production of The Carnegie’s 2011-12 Theatre Series. Tickets are $19 – $26 and are available at The Carnegie Box Office, 859.957.1940, or www.thecarnegie.com.
Opening weekend (April 13 – 15) includes an authentic country diner experience by-the-bite in The Carnegie Galleries, served up by Jeff Thomas Catering. Admission is free with ticket purchase; food charged a la carte.
PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES was conceived and written by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann.
The Carnegie’s 2011-12 Theatre Series is presented in honor of Otto M. Budig, Jr., whose leadership instilled the beauty, elegance and life that The Carnegie’s Theatre now enjoys during its fifth anniversary year.
PUMP BOYS Synopsis – “Work won’t kill you, but worry will”
Though Uncle Bob’s Winnebago might still need some work, and Clyde Wood’s cow ate all thirty-six marijuana plants behind the garage, there’s still a party going at the gas station across from the Double Cupp Diner. A piece down Highway 57 from Frog Level, five rowdy pump boys and sassy diner waitresses sing and play their own instruments in a hilarious and heartwarming country music revue, with songs including “Farmer Tan” and “The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine.”
“Worry is like a rocking chair,” says Jim, “gives you something to do but it don’t get you nowhere.” As sisters Rhetta and Prudie Cupp go through the grind of another day aching for tips and fantasizing about a beach vacation, the boys take their sweet time fixing automobiles, talkin’ ‘bout fishing, and extolling the undeniable sexual power of the farmer tan. When the day is done, everyone’s looking for a little slice of love and happiness, and they find both in the simple pleasures of life along the highway.
Opening Weekend Diner – “The boys can’t get enough of our pie”
The New York Times wrote that PUMP BOYS is “as refreshing as an ice cold beer after a bowl of five-alarm chili.” Jeff Thomas Catering serves up that simile with an opening weekend country-fried culinary experience, featuring classic roadside diner eats by-the-bite. Patrons will enjoy highway delicacies including meatloaf and mashed potatoes, heavenly hash, and (of course) banana cream and lemon meringue pies in a complete country road trip at The Carnegie.
Admission to the diner is free with purchase of PUMP BOYS ticket. Food is charged a la carte.
Opening weekend performances are Friday, April 13; Saturday, April 14; and Sunday, April 15. The diner will be open one hour prior to curtain (6:30pm on Friday and Saturday, 2:00pm on Sunday).
The Cast of PUMP BOYS
Years before recent Broadway productions of SWEENEY TODD and COMPANY brought into vogue the idea of actors playing their own instruments, PUMP BOYS charmed audiences with its unique cast of multi-talented singer/actor/instrumentalists. The Carnegie production stays true to this original concept, headlined by award-winning music director Steve Goers, who also plays piano and the role of L.M., the service station co-owner. Goers, a celebrated band leader of productions at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), Ensemble Theatre and The Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, among others, is also a composer of internationally-produced musicals including WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE and HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, and plays in the lauded Beatles tribute band, “Savoy Truffle.” The role of Jim is played by fellow “Truffle” musician and CCM jazz alumnus Brad Myers, known locally as the lead guitarist for Ray’s Music Exchange, the Steely Dan Tribute Band “Aja,” and orchestra pits for productions at CCM, The Covedale and others. Rising actor and Miami University student Jon Kovach plays rhythm guitar and the role of Jackson, returning to The Carnegie following a string of notable performances at the Pioneer Playhouse (Danville, Kentucky), The Covedale and Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.
Making their Carnegie debuts and filling out the “gentler” side of the cast as the Cupp sisters are Sara Mackie* (Rhetta Cupp) and Lisa DeRoberts (Prudie Cupp). Mackie is a critically acclaimed favorite of numerous productions at Ensemble Theatre (including as Betty Jean in the MARVELOUS WONDERETTES and Linoleum in THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL) and Dayton’s Human Race Theatre Company, and is an alumnus of Wright State University. DeRoberts, a Xavier University grad, is also an Ensemble Theatre veteran, having performed in recent productions of CINDERELLA and MELANCHOLY PLAY, among other credits at The Covedale and Showboat Majestic. Both women play myriad percussion instruments throughout the show.
*Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The Directors and Designers of PUMP BOYS
Making his directorial debut at The Carnegie is Jared Doren, whose staging credits include noteworthy productions of THE ELEPHANT MAN, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR and ART at Falcon Theatre. Also a veteran actor, Doren has been seen on-stage in many productions at Ensemble Theatre, including both THE FROG PRINCESS and SLEEPING BEAUTY with PUMP BOYS actress Sara Mackie. Doren collaborates for the first time with returning choreographer Patti James, an Acclaim Award MVP and CCM faculty member whose past Carnegie credits include DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS and CAROUSEL. Steve Goers plays a multi-faceted role as music director, pianist and performer in the PUMP BOYS. Northern Kentucky University faculty member Ron Shaw returns to The Carnegie as production scenic designer, having last designed The Carnegie’s top-selling production of THE ODD COUPLE in 2011.
A cast and production team list, as well as selected bios, follow this release.
A Beloved Show for More Than Thirty Years
Debuting in 1981 and moving to Broadway in February of 1982, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES received a Tony Award nomination for “Best Musical” (losing to the musical NINE), as well as four Drama Desk nominations, including “Outstanding Lyrics” and “Outstanding Music.” The show’s six writers (including John Schimmel as Eddie, the bass player) were the original cast for the Broadway run, which played 573 performances.
The Carnegie’s production of PUMP BOYS is the first professional staging of the show in Greater Cincinnati in more than a decade.
ASL Interpretation and Closed Captioning
Throughout the 2011-12 season, The Carnegie is proud to offer fully-accessible performances for the deaf and hard of hearing, featuring closed captioning and American Sign Language interpreters. PUMP BOYS performances including this accessibility are as follows:
- Friday, April 13, 7:30pm
- Friday, April 20, 7:30pm
Captioning has been offered for major theatrical performances at The Carnegie since 2006 thanks to the support of volunteers.
Interpretation and captioning will be offered free of charge to patrons who request these services with their tickets.
Ticketing
PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES will include nine performances:
- Friday, April 13, 7:30pm†*
- Saturday, April 14, 7:30pm*
- Sunday, April 15, 3:00pm*
- Friday, April 20, 7:30pm†
- Saturday, April 21, 7:30pm
- Sunday, April 22, 3:00pm
- Friday, April 27, 7:30pm
- Saturday, April 28, 7:30pm
- Sunday, April 29, 3:00pm
† Denotes ASL-interpreted and closed-captioned performance
*Opening weekend performances to include an authentic country diner experience by-the-bite in The Carnegie Galleries, served up by Jeff Thomas Catering.
Pricing:
- $26 Adults
- $23 Carnegie Members, Enjoy The Arts Members, WVXU Perks Card Members
- $21 Groups of 8 or more
- $19 Students
Tickets may be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office at 859.957.1940 (open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5:00pm) or online at www.thecarnegie.com.
About The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center
THE CARNEGIE THEATRE SERIES produces professional, innovative stagings of an eclectic range of popular and rarely-performed works. Striving to unite the greater Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati theatre community through partnerships and collaborations, the series engages and nurtures both emerging and established talent, including working professionals, committed part-time theatre artists, university performing arts students, and younger students. Carnegie Theatre Series productions bring together these forces to provide quality theatre for Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area.
The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center is a multidisciplinary arts venue serving the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. Over the course of the past ten years The Carnegie has “morphed” from a grassroots gallery with an education component into an all-inclusive arts organization offering professional theatre, art exhibitions showcasing the best of local and regional artists, and a comprehensive arts education program.
The Carnegie is home to The Carnegie Galleries, comprised of more than 6,000 square feet of gallery space where emerging and established artists exhibit in multiple shows throughout the year; the Eva G. Farris Education Center, which provides arts education to thousands of children, many of whom are at or below the poverty level; and the newly renovated 465-seat Otto M. Budig Theatre, which offers an affordable theatre space for local, up-and-coming and established production companies and is home to The Carnegie’s Theatre and Concert Series. The Carnegie is the largest arts venue in Northern Kentucky.
The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center receives ongoing operating support from ArtsWave, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. / US Bank Foundation.
For More Information
Contact Shannan Boyer, Communications Manager, at 859.957.1935 or sboyer@thecarnegie.com.
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PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES Biographies, Cast & Production Team
Jared D. Doren (Director) is thrilled to be making his directing debut at the Carnegie. Local directing credits include The Elephant Man, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged, The Boys Next Door and Art (Falcon Theater). Local performance credits include Snow White, Cinderella, The Frog Princess, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, A Question of Mercy and Two Weeks with the Queen (Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati).
Patti James (Choreographer of PUMP BOYS & DINETTES) is happy to back with The Carnegie, where she worked on CAROUSEL in 2011 and on the 2009 productions of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS and OLIVER!. Before returning in 1992 to her hometown of Cincinnati, Patti performed in and choreographed shows in the U.S., as well as Canada and Australia. She has worked in musicals, theme parks, film, television and industrial shows. Tours in the U.S. included Chicago and Ballroom. Patti performed the role of Lottie in the musical Mack and Mabel (starring Gary Sandy) at the Ensemble Theatre in Cincinnati. More recently she choreographed The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Grey Gardens and Marvelous Wonderettes for Ensemble Theatre.
Patti is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at the CCM, teaching tap and jazz, as well as choreographing productions of Candide, Dancing at Lughnasa, Merrily We Roll Along, The Full Monty, Wonderful Town, Little Women, Good News (Acclaim Award 2009 and a CEA nomination 2009), Anything Goes (Cincinnati Entertainment Award 2010), and Evita. For her involvement in Cincinnati theatre, Patti received the Acclaim MVP Award in 2009-2010. She has taught dance at Walt Disney World, Sydney Australia’s School of Performing Arts, the Southern Ballet in Orlando and Northern Kentucky University.
For eight years, Patti directed and choreographed “Home For the Holidays,” featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. For the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, she choreographed the 2004 Today’s Tonys and the 2007 “Red, White and Boom” at Riverbend. Patti has worked with The Northern Kentucky Symphony on Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Sound of Music and Oliver! She also choreographed the production of Mariel for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Patti has worked with numerous theatre groups and high schools throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Patti lives with her husband of 31 years, Keith, and they have two grown daughters, Alexis (her husband Emmett) and Chloe.
Steve Goers (Music Director and Performer in PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES) is an Adjunct Instructor of Musical Theater at CCM, where he has music directed productions of Falsettos, Hair, Passion, BatBoy, Urinetown and GOOD NEWS. Since moving to Cincinnati from Chicago, he has been very active in the Cincinnati theatre community, and has worked with Ensemble Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, the Covedale, the Showboat Majestic, Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre, Ovation, Clear Stage, Performance Gallery and NKU. He was recently honored with a 2009-2010 Season Acclaim MVP Award. Steve has composed numerous works for theater, industrial video, radio and film, including a collaboration with Chicago playwright/lyricist Alyn Cardarelli on twelve internationally-distributed musicals for children featuring world premiere adaptations of Where the Wild Things Are, Stellaluna, and How I Became a Pirate. Steve has toured the US and Africa with productions of Barnum and Bubbling Brown Sugar, and was featured as pianist and session producer on the album Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends Pulling Together, which received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Children’s Album. Steve is a graduate of the DePaul University School of Music.
PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES Cast
ROLE/ACTOR
- Jackson (Rhythm Guitar)/Jon Kovach
- L.M. (Piano, Accordion)/Steve Goers
- Jim (Lead Guitar)/Brad Myers
- Rhetta Cupp (Percussion)/Sara Mackie*
- Prudie Cupp (Percussion)/Lisa DeRoberts
*Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES Production Team
- Director Jared Doren
- Music Director Steve Goers
- Choreographer Patti James
- Technical Director Richard Sillen
- Scenic Designer Ron Shaw
- Lighting Designer David LaRose
- Costumer Jim Stump
- Sound Designer Zachary Ireson
- Stage Manager Brittney Lanni
- Assistant Stage Manager Jordan Loyd
- Production Manager Bleu Pellman
- Producer Joshua Steele
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 