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‘Pump Boys and Dinettes’ Coming to Civic Center Theater for 1-night Jan. 29
Pump Boys and Dinettes will be perform at the Florissant Civic Center on Jan. 29 at 2:00 p.m. as part of the Florissant Fine Arts Council’s Applause/Applause series. Pump Boys and Dinettes garnered three Tony Award nominations and two Drama Desk Award nominations during its run in New York.
Billed as “the friendliest, happiest show in town,” Pump Boys and Dinettes opened on Broadway Feb. 4, 1982. Audiences and critics quickly fell in love with the unique musical’s down-home, earthy celebration of friendship and the simple things in life.
Set in the Double Cup Diner and Gas Station on route 57 between Frog Level and Smyrna, NC, the characters include gas station attendants L.M., Jackson, Jim, and Eddie and waitresses Prudie and Rhetta Cupp. The six characters sing and play all manner of instruments, including kitchen utensils.
The music is a quirky, highly imaginative blend of country, rock-a-billy, swing, rock and roll and jazz, and the songs celebrated the gifts of friendship, vacations, hard work, fishing, and color TV. One song, “The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine,” reached number 67 on the Hot Country Songs charts.
Jim Wann and Mark Hardwick played five nights a week at a New York steakhouse while creating the musical. With help from contributors and fellow performers, their play moved Off-Broadway to Broadway, London’s West End, long runs in Chicago and Minneapolis, and an award-winning run at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
Fun for the entire family and perfect for groups, Pump Boys and Dinettes will be peformed Jan. 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gary R. Gaydos Auditorium, Florissant Civic Center, 1 James J. Eagan Dr. Florissant.
For tickets and information, call the box office at 314-921-5678 or go online at www.florissantfinearts.com. Tickets are $28 for adults and $26 for seniors and students. Group rates are available also.
Florissant Fine Arts Council’s Applause/Applause series shows feature Professional and national and international touring companies. Shows range in scope from Off-Broadway to off the continent and star the familiar faces and bright newcomers. The Council presents the series with financial support from its members; the Regional Arts Commission; Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; the Employee Community Fund of Boeing, and the City of Florissant.
