Greenbrier Valley Theatre, the State Professional Theatre of West Virginia, will present Pump Boys and Dinettes at the Pocahontas County Opera House Saturday, August 20, at 7:30 p.m.
Pull off the road on Highway 57, order up some spoon bread, some butter beans and corn and top it off with a piece of homemade pie at the Double Cupp Diner. You’ll find some amiable company with the Dinettes and the gas station attendants from across the road as they fill their days with music and humor. This jubilant country western musical is just good ol’ down home fun.
Returning to GVT is local musician Randy Goodson. He was previously seen as a band member for the 2014 production of Stand by Your Man: The Tammy Wynette Story, the 2015 production of Beehive! and GVT’s recent production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
“What I like most about working with GVT is getting to work with such great musicians, singers, dancers, etc.,” Goodson said. “It’s always an honor to get to be a part of a performance at such a great level of talent.”
Performing in Pump Boys and Dinettes will be a new experience for the musician. One aspect that makes the show so entertaining for both the audience and the actors is that the cast is also the band. This will be the first time Goodson is center stage with the rest of the performers.
While the guitarist is nervous about his role, he is excited to return to GVT for his third production. Making things a little easier for him is GVT’s Music Director, and star of the show, Kermit Medsker, who will be there to help him find his groove.
“[Kermit] has a way of expressing what it is he’s looking for,” Goodson said. “So far it has worked great. It just takes a lot of practice between rehearsals.”
Having seen it 20 years ago in Branson, Missouri, Goodson was already familiar with the show. Though it has been a while, what he remembers most is what a great time he had. With its country inspired music and laid back atmosphere, the production is guaranteed to entertain.
Tickets for the August 20 performance are $10 for adults. Youth 17 and younger are admitted free of charge. Tickets are available at the door and in advance at poca hontasoperahouse.org or at the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton.
Greenbrier Valley Theatre, The State Professional Theatre of West Virginia, is committed to its mission statement to create live, professional quality theatre in West Virginia and, through theatre, to enlighten, enrich and enliven the life of our region.
Performances at the Opera House are informal, family-friendly and open to all. The entrance and main seating are accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to attend; special accommodations can be arranged upon request by calling 304-799-6645.
The Opera House Performance Series is presented with financial assistance through a grant from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Support is also provided by Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
