Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean

 

Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean

TheatreWorks @Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

June 18 - July 13, 2025  Tickets: theatreworks.org

Book: Ashley Robinson, Based on the play by Ed Graczyk

Music: Dan Gillespie Sells, Lyrics: Shakina

Director: Giovanna Sardelli

A Kate West Review

If ever there was a time to support the LGBTQ+  and the arts it sure is now. When memories and accomplishments of women and people of color are being erased from government archives, when immigrants' rights to due process are ignored, when grant funding is brutally cut, and when trans rights are endangered, it is up to the rest of us to wholeheartedly celebrate the existence of all of these life affirming joys before it is too late. 

TheareWorks does this admirably in their world premiere musical production of Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean. Based on the stage play by Ed Graczyk (which later became a Robert Altman cult movie classic with Cher, Sandy Dennis, and Karen Black) the new musical is delightfully poignant and ultimately timely. The music by Dan Gillespie Sells is lively and entertaining, while the lyrics by Shakina (also starring as Joanne) are insightfully heartbreaking.

In addition to the crowd pleasing music, the production cleverly (and subtly) changes some dynamics. For instance, Edna Louise (Ashley Cowl) is now of Mexican descent and showcases a powerfully moving song of discrimination. The scenes depicting the past are magically eerie, and more clearly defined than in the film (sorry Mr. Altman). Each of the actors gets a chance to belt out their repressed emotions, with particularly nice moments by Stephanie Gibson as Sissy, and Shakina as Joanne (which may or may have elicited tears from this audience member). 

The story revolves around Mona (Lauren Marcus) and her claim that she bore the lovechild of James Dean when he was filming Giant in their hometown. A group of dedicated fans became Jimmy Dean disciples and meet on each anniversary of his tragic death. This happens to be a significant year so everyone will be in town. Marcus does a fine job of depicting fragility (and borderline endearingly crazy) and the rest of the cast members are strong performers as well. Even Loretta (Judith Miller) as the diner's mother figure gets a nice solo moment.

Lauren Marcus as Mona

Shakina as Joanne

Stephanie Gibson as Sissy

Once the big reveal comes around, the audience is hooked and fully on board rooting for the universally likable cast. Ellie Van Amergongen gets quite the stage workout in portraying different characters, and everyone else's reactions to him are priceless. The ensemble works so well together that time just flies by and it's over before we are ready.  

Kudos to Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli for curating an involving and perfect new version of a profoundly important script. The opening night remarks before the show were greatly appreciated and much needed, as well. Again, everyone - please keep supporting the arts, and all of your marginalized community members. If we don't do it, who will?

Also, we are all looking forward to the cast recording (soon we hope?)

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Toni Stone

a kate west review
Toni Stone

by Lydia R. Diamond
directed by Pam MacKinnon  | choreographed by Camille A. Brown

American Consevartory Theater  |  A coproduction with Arena Stage

405 Geary Street , San Francisco, CA
415.749.2228 | tickets@act-sf.org
Mar 5–29, 2020

Please note: Because of the recent outbreak (we all know the one), many theaters have been forced to shut down, but some of them are offering video links for patrons to watch in the safety of their shelter-in-place homes. Thankfully, this play can be viewed by either contacting A.C.T. to obtain a pay-as-you-can video link, or going directly to BroadwayHD. Either way, better hurry, since this option is only good until April 5. 

Toni Stone (according to wikipedia), born Marcenia Lyle Stone in Bluefield, West Virginia, was the first of three women to play professional baseball, as a part of the Negro League. The American Conservatory Theater covers her stint with the 1950's Indianapolis Clowns in their recent production of "Toni Stone", a west coast premiere.

Dawn Ursula is a strong, outspoken, force of nature as Toni Stone, who had to have been a force to reckon herself, in order to compete as a female in a man's world of sports, as well as a black player in a white owner's universe. Lydia Diamond's casual writing style perfectly captures the easy way athletes have related to each other since sports was invented. This team especially needs their comradery as they confront the racism and sexism of the time (much of which is still sadly relevant in our own society).  Director Pam MacKinnon and Choreographer Camille Brown present a smooth, entertaining and vibrant tale of a little known part of sports history. It's funny, poignant, and real. The dialogue, the staging, the game - all poetry.

The rest of the ensemble, Daniel J. Bryant, JaBen Early, Kenn E. Head, Marquis D. Gibson, Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr., Sean-Maurice Lynch, Ray Shell, and Jarrod Smith, match Ursula quite well, stepping in and out of various characters from Stone's life (male and female). In fact, the strength of the troupe shows us how necessary it would be for teammates to support each other, then and now.

The show is a delight from beginning to end, and a wonderful distraction from our current situation, while spotlighting what we still need to work in our world. Hope we get to do so soon. In the meantime, keep playing ball (at home).

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