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Musical Theater

"PUMP BOYS and DINETTES"

The Centralia College Cast

Written by: John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan , John Schimmel and Jim Wann.
Directed by: Brian Tyrell
Performed at: Centralia College

Originally premiering at the Chelsea West Side Arts Theater in 1981 and then to the Colonnades Theater that same year, Pump Boys And Dinettes opened in New York City’s Broadway on February 4, 1982 at the Princess Theater. After having a successful run of 573 performances and closing on June 18, 1983 in the states, the show then traveled abroad to London's West End at the Piccadilly where it remained a popular attraction through the mid nineteen eighties. CBS Records in the U.S released the original cast album. Since then, Pump Boys and Dinettes has become a favorite of local theater and colleges throughout the world. Now for the first time, this humorous and interesting musical has come to Corbet Theater at Centralia College and was welcomed to sold-out crowds for over a week during its limited engagement.

Situated between Frog Level and Smyrna North Carolina, right smack dab in the middle of Highway 57,this is a delightful and easy to follow plot involving several young men who work at a gas station and garage, just across from the Double Cupp Diner, where two young single ladies keep the customers happy with strong coffee and home-made pie. The show features some very good country-pop music, which is, sung by each of the characters telling their tales of love, woe and oftentimes just small town talk about nothing. All the songs are supported by an excellent band comprised of some of the Northwest’s finest talents including Centralia College faculty members Mark Brosz on percussion and Calvin Taylor on Bass and guitars. Lead guitarist Daniel Baker really made me sit up and take notice for the fact for having graduated high school in 2008, this young man has skill and varied styles of a much older and seasoned player. A Music major, Daniel has a great future ahead of him! Also doing a tremendous job on Bass and vocals was Daniel Keen who plays Eddie, one of the main front actors as well. Bill Hallett rounded out the combo on piano with his magical touch. Bill is an active music teacher and vocal coach in the community and is also a recording artist.

The actors and singers of the program in addition to Daniel Keen were Noel Barbuto who plays Jim, Richard Glen ( L.M.), Anna Garrison ( Prudie Cupp), Ian Rust ( Jackson ) and Jana Tyrell who plays Rhetta. Every single one of these players are good, and some of them may go on to contribute more to the world of the arts and theater, but as with all things in life there are usually one or two people, be it in a play, a sports event or even a math contest who seem to always rise to the top. My special pick from this musical would have to go with Mr. Barbuto. Even when the show was just about to commence, a lone actor stepped into the spotlight and welcomed us all to the show and asked us to turn off our cell phones and get comfortable. He was not Noel Barbuto, he was “ Jim “, the man who seemed to have the most to say throughout the play. This actor became Jim and left Noel somewhere backstage. Perhaps it was his amazing vocal prowess with an ability to sing soft or rough, belting it out or taking it easy or just knowing how to create the perfect blend with the other stars, Barbuto was a true professional all the way. Even when Bassist Cal Taylor took me backstage after the show to meet everyone, he rushed me into the dressing room where Noel was striped right down to his underwear as we came crashing in. As Mr. Taylor went to introduce me as the guy from Damn Good Tunes, Noel never even skipped a beat. With his pants clutched in the left arm, he turned around and shook my hand with the right and thanked me for coming to the show. For some a humbling moment, but to a pro artist such as Noel Barbuto it was just another part of show business! Mr. Barbutto is currently teaching modern dance at Centralia College.

Each person who took the stage or had their twenty, was the right person for the job and each performed flawlessly. Everyone in the audience was thoroughly entertained and several made it a point to come back and see the performance a second or third night. It was just that good! The girls were fantastic and the young men were excellent. Good show!

It must be said that despite the incredible pool of talent on stage, this musical play could not have happened were it not for the efforts of the unsung heroes behind the curtains. They are Tony Petzold, Mary Nagel, Michael Kohlmeir, Jake Tillett ,Victoria Kaiser, Clay Cline, Mike Sage, Colene Clark, Dr. Donna Huffman, Ann Tillett, Kelsey Noltensmeier, Bowen Morrison, Trent Majors, Jose Camelo, Joel Annonen, Kailee Hill and Mathew Hardy. There were several other CC staff and students whose names were not available at press time but it would suffice to say this was a great team effort on the part of the Centralia College and Corbet Theater. Thanks to Candy Lunke, Centralia College Events Coordinator.

Bruce J Maier

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