Done in more of a revue style as opposed to a traditional piece of musical theater, Honky Tonk gives each of the actresses a chance to shine on at least two really strong solos as well as a number of medleys.
If you were smart enough to catch Always... Patsy Cline last year, whcih was also created by Swindley, make a point of checking out The Honky Tonk Angels.
Sherri L. Shaulis - The Dominion Post, Morgantown, WV
The Honky Tonk Angels now playing at Actors Cabaret is like a trip down memory lane in Nashville. With more than 30 songs, ranging from poignant love ballads to rowdy honky tonk, the musical revue covers a lot of country/western territory.
Dorothy Belasco - The Register Guard, Eugene, Oregon
It's hard to top a smash hit like Swindley's Always... Patsy Cline, but I saw it done at the Northwest premiere of Swindley's newest work, The Honky Tonk Angels, at Actors Cabaret. It is the story of three ladies from different backgrounds, following their dreams to be country/western singers.
A simple plot and message adds reason and interest to the play without detracting from more than 30 familiar and wonderful songs. Included are "Honky Tonk Angels", "Stand By Your Man", "Delta Dawn", "Harper Valley PTA", "Amazing Grace", and many more.
The Honky Tonk Angels is pleasant, must see entertainment that should appeal to both country/western fans and theatergoers.
Eugene Weekly, Eugene, Oregon
Those songs are not the whiny, "o' po me" tunes one often associates with country music. Instead, these are defiant songs, songs that say "By gosh, life is tough, but it's worth living and I'll stick my chin out and get on with it!" Honky Tonk Angels is a sure way to thaw out a cold winter evening.
Robert McKinney - Bristol Herald Courier, Abingdon, Virginia
Finally, Honky Tonk Angels is a play that has the trappings of an evergreen, something that's going to be around for a good long time. It's the kind of engaging and accessible show that can bring a lot of people into the theater, without alienating the ones who are already coming. Like the music it celebrates, it deals with emotions in a direct, simple and satisfying way, lifting up dreamers in all walks of life-especially the ones who are strong enough to gamble it all on something as wild and crazy as a career in country music.
...well chosen songs that capture their characters, propel the plot, and, more often than not, stand on their own as glittering little gems.
Honky Tonk Angels works so well as an intergrated whole that it's not worthwhile to pull out individual songs like that. However, special notice should also be given to Ms. Fry's hilariously suggestive delivery of Jeannie C. Riley's "Harper Valley PTA", Ms. Rutland's fatalistic "Ode To Billy Joe", and the ensemble's great version of Pam Tillis' ironic classic "Cleopatra, Queen of Denial".
...another country music successs story, another country music dream on its way to fulfillment...
John Wooley - Tulsa World, Tulsa, Oklahoma
If you loved Always... Patsy Cline, then you are bound to enjoy Barter Theater's season opening production, Honky Tonk Angels. It is an evening of good fun and music and judging from the response of the audience when I saw the show it can be truthfully said that "a good time was had by all who attended."
The theme of Honky Tonk Angels is about women who dare to leave unsatisfying and very conventional lives
It's hard to top a smash hit like Swindley's Always... Patsy Cline, but I saw it done at the Northwest premiere of Swindley's newest work, The Honky Tonk Angels, at Actors Cabaret. It is the story of three ladies from different backgrounds, following their dreams to be country/western singers.
