If you’ve got a thing for hairspray, hit songs and boots made for walkin’, head to Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater in Aptos to catch “Beehive: A Musical Tribute to the Women of Rock.” Running from June 27 thru July 14, New York-based Director and Choreographer Gary John La Rosa turns up the volume (in both hair and sound) to track the divas of music from 1960-1970. This is La Rosa’s first time ever working for Cabrillo Stage; given the chance to work with Artistic Director and Musical Director John Nordgren, La Rosa jumped at the opportunity, and is thrilled to pair with Nordgren (who plays saxophone in the Cabrillo performance, and also toured with the national production of “Beehive”).
The show begins in 1960, says La Rosa, and documents the British Invasion as the musical moves through the decade and into more traditional rock ’n’ roll performers. La Rosa says it’s a chronicle of the 1960s; it demonstrates how women’s voices changed dramatically, and how the women’s lib movement helped to change the voice of music. “In this show,” he said, “it’s the women’s voices and the camaraderie of the six women on stage that help to tell that story.” With nearly three dozen wigs, a lot of costume changes and a live band, “Beehive” is sure to generate a buzz amongst its audience. And who does La Rosa expect to make up the musical’s fan club? Young and old alike. “One of the things I love about this show is that everybody loves the music. I love the fact that young people say, ‘Wow, that’s a great song.’ It gives them an opportunity to hear music that they wouldn’t normally hear.”
In La Rosa’s program note, he describes “Beehive” as “a high-voltage, fast-paced and nostalgic look back at all the great “girl groups” and female artists of the decade…with songs that were made famous by the likes of the Shirelles, the Angels, the Ronettes, the Chiffons and the Supremes, as well as artists as diverse as Leslie Gore, Dusty Springfield, Connie Francis, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Janis Joplin, this journey down memory lane is jam-packed with great music.”
Sounds like comfort food for the soul, and that’s something we can all use a big helping of right about now.
Tickets for “Beehive” range from $21 to $46 and may be purchased online at www.cabrillostage.com/Show_BEEHIVE.html
Christina Wise is a writer, reporter, and community advocate who resides in Felton. She writes for the Press Banner on housing, education, arts and culture. Contact her at
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