Rhinestone Cowgirls is a lively revue of American Country Music and celebration of women artists who developed it. At Florida Studio Theater, three songstresses unite for a second summer, this time to both solo and harmonize major country music songs from the last century to today. There’s little scripted speech but many projections that explain or attribute progress in genre and major singers’ styles.
The three, in heavily rhinestoned and beaded costumes, do not imitate the voices but styles of the artistic developers of country. Artists start with Kitty Wells and go on to feature prominently those with multiple contributions like Dolly Parton. On opening night there were many appreciative sounds from the audience for Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline. A little known fact about the latter brought sighs.
Audience favorite songs included “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Crazy,” “Walking After Midnight” (with walk at dark projected), “Tammy”, and “Country Road.” The most extended (and perhaps effective) set illustrates “I am Woman.” Projections of illustrious women also tell for what each was famous.
Blonde Samantha Duval seems to be the leader when the three do a number together. She has an exciting vocal range. Charity Farrell and Gianna Maria are brunettes who are complementary vocally. Gianna often appears in a costume different in size and type than the other two. Whoever designed the sumptuous, varied costumes deserves praise.
Andrew Gray’s lighting, especially of the limited cabaret curtained background, changes constantly to enhance the different styles of song. Framing bulbs flash frequently to punctuate the ending of a song or set effectively. The sound system is more than adequately designed but microphones are nearly deafening: a flaw in otherwise fine technical achievement.
All in all, Rhinestone Cowgirls is a jewel to begin FST’s summer season.
