"More than a hairdo 'Beehive' entertains with flair and fantastic voices"
                                                                                        by Jeanie Forte - Palo Alto Weekly - September 22, 2006

This fast-paced, fun musical revue is a sure cure for the blues.
 

"Beehive," created by Larry Gallagher, is really a time machine that takes us back to the 1960s to relive first dates, miniskirts, and prom night, all through the fabulous music of the decade. Team the music with some amazingly talented performers, and you've got the Palo Alto Players' formula for an evening of exuberant entertainment.
 

Gallagher has brought together so many favorite tunes, and even a few you may have almost forgotten, in fond memory of the silly as well as the superb. Think "The Name Game" alongside "My Boyfriend's Back," followed by "Sweet Talkin' Guy" and "One Fine Day," for starters.
 

Then there are those classics like the Shangri-Las' "Remember." I didn't even realize I knew all the words until I heard it again. And of course there's an homage to The Supremes, although with a humorous twist.
 

Soloists as well as groups are showcased: there's a great medley of Brenda Lee, Lesley Gore, and Nancy Sinatra hits, including the famous "These Boots are Made for Walkin'." The show romps through the British invasion with Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, and Lulu numbers, before moving into the latter part of the decade with tributes to Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and others.
 

Throughout the show Gallagher sprinkles a few serious memories in addition to the silliness. These moments highlight significant events of the era without weighing down the mood too much, and give support for the evolution of musical styles as the culture went through powerful changes.
 

It's a fun show, all right, but what knocks it out of the park is the incredible cast: six women with wonderful voices, acting ability, and comedic skills. Melissa T. O'Keefe plays a kind of narrator, talking us through each part of the decade, introducing the singers as if they inhabit her teenage fantasies. O'Keefe also sings, with charm and a lovely clear tone. I remember her well from last year's season opener, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," and it was a delight to see and hear her again. Her rendition of "You Don't Own Me" brings the house down.
 

Jeanne Batacan-Harper is a dynamo on stage, working her persuasive, big vocals with equal amounts verve and vamp. She does Sinatra to a tee, and later channels Aretha's powerhouse voice in "Natural Woman."
 

Katie Chaidez, Pilar Alvarez and Allyson Rocha are all amazing chameleons, transforming themselves into backup singers of every kind as well as displaying outstanding solo vocal talents. Chaidez shines as another Aretha on "I Never Loved a Man," and Rocha shows smooth skills as Brenda Lee, Petula, and Janis Ian. Alvarez deftly manages the challenge of playing Janis Joplin with humor, poignancy and inspired singing.
 

The sixth performer, Jujuana ShaRon Williams, doesn't have a solo in the first half, but watch out for her in the second act -- what a voice, and what terrific energy as she brings to life the young Tina Turner and Aretha. I wish the show had included a Ronnie Spector number in the first half just so we could hear more of her marvelous vocals.
 

The set by Kuo-Hao Lo brightly captures the era in a look reminiscent of Laugh-In meets Flower Power, and the excellent wigs by Rande Harris fly fast and furious as performers transform themselves from singer to singer.
 

Huge kudos to costume designer Mary Cravens for one of the most amazing collections of costumes to grace a local stage in years -- Cravens faithfully portrays all of the styles of the decade, but with over-the-top glee and glitter. Each time a performer would enter in a new outfit, the audience would laugh with recognition and amusement.
 

The band musicians, headed by David Manley on piano, rock each style as if they own it. Director Lennon Smith and the rest of her team have done a fine job putting all the details together on this one. If you aren't clapping and singing along by the time they sing "Dancing in the Streets," I'll eat my feather boa.