by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
What: Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes
When: through February 4th
Where: The Alhambra Dinner Theatre
Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes is a sure hit for those who like country, but rock and roll fans will also be drawn in. Hank Williams gave as much to country music as to rock and roll, which is why he’s a member both in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite the brevity of his career, Williams had a massive impact on the music industry.
The stage is dressed like a radio broadcast in a honky-tonk or barn dance. On one side of the stage sits an old-style gas pump with tires stacked next to it. On the other side is a jukebox. Many of the old honky-tonk bars were also gas stations.
The star of the show, Jason Petty, made his mark in New York as Hank Williams in the Off-Broadway show Hank Williams: Lost Highway. Petty’s uncanny impression of Williams won him an Obie Award as well as accolades from major critics. He’s been singing as Hank Williams since 1996, when he portrayed the legend at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Like Williams, Petty is a Southern boy, who grew up in Tennessee, where he later went to college. He married in 2002 at Graceland (during the show Petty jokes that it was either Graceland or at Hank William’s gravesite--his wife chose Graceland). Petty’s 8 ½ month pregnant wife, Hope, could be seen in the lobby selling show-related items such as CD’s and T-shirts. After the show, Petty joined her and shook hands with all the fans.
Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes differs from Lost Highway, in that Petty is himself in this musical tribute. That being said, when he sings a Hank Williams song, Petty’s vocal quality is similar enough to Williams to be more than a passable impression. In fact, it’s almost spooky. As The New York Post put it, “At times it seems as if Petty is not just offering an impersonation of Williams, but channeling his ghost.” His soulful rendition of ‘I’m So Lonesome I Cry’ is particularly evocative.
Petty kicks the show off with the rock-a-billy Hank Williams hit ‘Move It On Over.’ Not far into the show he joked about the laryngitis that cost him three shows over the holiday season. It sounded like he had recovered nicely, as his voice was completely back to normal. It was apparent that he knew how to work and audience, playing off audience comments with improvisation. His jokes were sometimes clichéd, but he’s charming enough that you’ll laugh at the groaners. At the end of each song, Petty declines his head and touches his hat, in the style of Hank Williams.
Petty chronicles the story of Williams’ rise to fame, starting with his first guitar and his early influences. Williams learned to play the blues from an old street singer named “Tee-Tot.” By the tender age of 13 Williams had decided he was going to make a living out of singing. With the help of his mother, the no-nonsense Miss Lily, he got to play in honky-tonks where the performers were separated from the rough crowds by chicken wire. Miss Lily drove him to shows, managed his career and sometimes even acted as a bouncer. Petty takes us through his marriage, stardom, reclusiveness, addiction and death, punctuating the story with song. Petty’s extensive research of Williams has led him to collect some great stories about the star. Petty is also the author of the show and projects an immense amount of respect for Williams.
Petty’s backup band was first rate. Two of the performers, Mark Thomas Baczynski (fiddle, mandolin) and Russ Weaver (steel guitar) also came with Petty on his national tour of Lost Highway. Lou Colbe (bass) provides comedic moments throughout the show and Dan McMasters plays a wicked guitar. Their performance was tight and well-played for the entire show. I did wish for lighting that was a little more precise when they had their solo bits, but the focus of the show is Petty, not the pseudo- Drifting Cowboys. The Alhambra has excellent acoustics and the show was very well mic’ed.
Not all of the songs Petty sings are Hank Williams songs, he also sings songs that Williams was influenced by and sings hits from stars that were influenced by Williams. Petty’s overblown impression of Elvis while singing ‘That’s Alright Mamma’ had us all laughing. Alan Jackson’s haunting tribute to Williams ‘Midnight in Montgomery’ as sung by Petty, was one of the most touching moments in the show.
Honky Tonk Heroes is a show that shouldn’t be missed. The show run will go through February 4th. For this show only, they’re reducing the schedule from 8 shows per week to 7, with only one show on Sundays instead of two, doors to open at 2:00, buffet from 2:30 to 3:45 and the show begins at 4:00. Call 641-1212 for more info or tickets or go on-line at www.alhambradinnertheatre.com.
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