Theater review: Beehive (The '60's Musical)

Beehive: The ’60s Musical

There are lots of things to remember about the ’60s – crazy clothes, the flower children in San Francisco and Woodstock among them. Music got a little goofy then too, and New Village Arts brings us that aspect in “Beehive: The ’60s Musical” through July 25 outdoors at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad.

The show’s creator, Larry Gallagher, has chosen to concentrate on the girl singers of the decade with a musical that features seven terrific singers and 30-some songs of the decade. That means that only songs written for women are included here (shall I be snarky and point out that the vast majority were written by men?), but that’s plenty to fill an evening. You’ll hear songs like “Where The Boys Are,” “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” along with  and “Son of a Preacher Man” and Aretha Franklin’s “A Natural Woman” and “Respect.”

The first act is all about love and hair styles and funny fashions; the second gets a bit into the more insidious historical facts of war, assassinations and the continuing struggles of women to be recognized. But mostly, this is just a show to kick back, tap your toes and even sing along with (after all, it’s outside; nobody will mind).

The singers are terrific. Here’s the list: Natasha Baenisch, Megan Carmitchel, Brittany Carrillo, Rae Henderson, Bibi Mama and Eboni Muse. There’s power in those vocal cords, every one of them, and they know how to use them. Bravo, ladies.

Kudos also to director Kristianne Kurner, who keeps the show moving, costume designer Faith A. James (ah, the memories those costumes evoke) and Missy Bradstreet for those wigs!

Old farts like me may carp that historically, this show seems to want to pretend a time that never was. Even Otis Redding’s “Respect” – written for black men to sing to black women – was rewritten a bit in order to create a hit song.

But never mind. These women can sing. And dance. And entertain. So go and enjoy.

“Beehive” plays through July 25, 2021 at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad.

Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets: https://newvillagearts.org/event/beehive/2021-06-11/