Beehive - Milwaukee Rep

The time was the 60s, and although rhythm and blues generally remained popular, funk and soul music, a blend of R&B, gospel, and original rock and roll, was about to change the music world forever. From great hits like The Twist (Chubby Checker), Hey Jude (The Beatles), The Look of Love" by Dusty Springfield, Tossin and Turnin (Bobby Lewis), and Stand By Your Man" by Tammy Wynette, the '60s was the cat's meow.

Milwaukee Rep, let us experience this exceptional music from the past in Beehive, The 60s Musical. Featuring hits from top female singers like Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Lesley Gore, and Janis Joplin, Beehive is a blast from the past. The night featured six women, Jackey Boelkow (Alison), Sarah Lynn Marion (Laura), Tess Marshall (Pattie), Jamie Mercado (Wanda), Desiree Tolodziecki (Jasmine), and Amaya White (Gina), dressed as teenage girls, shared their love and memories of the 60s through their favorite songs.

This two-part musical started with the option of dinner before the show. We enjoyed the hospitality of our waitress and had a great conversation with the Director of Venue Operations, Donald Parsons. The selected food of salmon and chicken was a little bland but edible. Unfortunately, we were also at a disadvantage with the seating provided to review the musical, as we constantly had to move around people's heads — and the acoustics in the Stackner Cabaret affected us from hearing the singers.

All the ladies had lovely voices, and their harmony when singing "Abraham, Martin and John" were amazing — and the audience seemed to enjoy themselves; however, several sang songs out of their range, diminishing the dazzling style these women of the 60s provided. In part two, we got to hear more from two of the best six singers, Amaya White and Sarah Lynn Marion. White voice still didn't hit the powerful and raspy sound of Tina Turner, but her combination of singing and dancing was a hit. The cream of the crop came when Marion performed songs from Janis Joplin. She was terrific with the portrayal of Joplin.

I would have loved to have seen some '60s scenery, adding some visual effects to a time when living free and sharing love and pharmaceuticals heightened everyone's imagination. But "Don't flip your wig," overall, this 1 hour and 31 minutes musical was enjoyable but missed out on being groovy, far out, and an outta sight night that blows your mind like the 60s.

Let's Play Theatrical Review Recommends Beehive at Milwaukee Rep's Stackner Cabaret.

Milwaukee Rep

Stackner Cabaret

BEEHIVE

Created by Larry Gallagher

Directed by Laura Braza

November 11, 2022 - January 15, 2023