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“Denim and Gasoline World Tour”
Laurie Beechman Theatre – August 15 & 29
“We’ve been in seclusion, putting our life story to music,” says Judeen Chalk, explaining the year and a half since she and her two “sisters,” Judelle and Belva—The Chalks—have performed in clubs. If their return to the Laurie Beechman Theatre—with a slew of new songs and a variety of polished entertainments without a dull moment—is any indication, the satirical country trio’s time off was well spent.
The three are so fully immersed in their characters that their real names are never revealed on stage. It’s as if they have been performing together all their lives, as they claim. And what a trio they are: Judeen (played by Mary Brienza), the oldest, spouts trailer park wisdom with gospel seriousness; Judelle (Kathryn Markey), whose colorful past has given her a touch of craziness; and gum-chewing, pretty Belva (Leenya Rideout), the youngest and sluttiest.
Writing all their own songs, The Chalks offer country-music spoofing of the highest order. They treat the targets of their barbs—Tea Party-type politics and their followers, the love of the automobile, prayer, and sexuality, among others—with such artful finesse and seriousness (one wonders how they manage to get through the show without laughing at themselves) that the audience can’t help loving them despite their terminally unenlightened views.
Besides all that, the gals harmonize splendidly and play guitar, but also utilize every instrument in the country-western handbook: dueling harmonicas, tambourine, washboard, Quaker Oats shaker, tin can, and, most impressively, Belva’s fiddle. They are backed by The Erasers—Ribeye Taylor on electric guitar and piano, and Trailer Trey on stand-up bass (yes, even the band is in on the act).
The material is every bit as good as the performers: “Mud Flap Mama,” a paean to the ladies who go after truckers; “Bol Weevil,” a ditty about creative cuisine; “The Grudge Song,” a darkly hilarious tune about a woman who won’t let go of her man (“You think it’s over, but I haven’t even started yet…When your dog turns up poisoned, don’t come looking for me”); and they close with their patriotic ode, “USA”, in costume as a beauty queen, a native American, and a soldier. Each of the gals also showcases her own solo, which plays up their individual personalities.
Best of all is their new song “Ameri-can.” The ladies are able somehow to effectively paint a sympathetic portrait of the working class while at the same time poking fun of the American tendency to value ignorance over almost any other virtue. The song deserves a wider audience.
The Chalks spice up the proceedings with up-to-date patter, such as the recent and not-too-widely known story of Sarah Palin’s oldest son announcing his engagement—after his fiancée had become pregnant. “What’s his name? Trigger? Trick? Twig?” Judeen asked. “Well, he has continued the Palin tradition of getting married as soon as someone is pregnant. But that abstinence thing is still working for the Palins—if you’re under twelve.” Or cracks about TMZ or Anthony Weiner, with warnings about not showing your genitals anytime, anywhere—followed by illustrations of how, say, Betsy Ross might have shown genitals in her flag patterns back in her day. As if that weren’t enough, they also come out into the audience to quiz them on Americana, bring three up to take part in the Chalk Challenge (which includes drinking beer from a dirty boot), and hand out trailer park bark, an unusually tasty confection made from saltines, lard and chocolate.
Just as the nation stands on the verge of possibly falling into another recession, with an electorate polarized like few times in its history, The Chalks have come to the rescue to help us laugh at ourselves, while at the same time providing first-rate, sophisticated country music.
Kevin Scott Hall performed in cabaret clubs for many years and recorded three CDs, including “New Light Dawning” in 1998, which received national airplay. He also worked at the legendary piano bar, Rose’s Turn, and has taught cabaret workshops and directed shows since 1995. Kevin earned his MFA in Creative Writing at City College of New York. He is an adjunct professor in the Theatre and English departments at City College and Borough of Manhattan Community College. His novel, “Off the Charts!” was published in 2010, and his memoir, “A Quarter Inch from My Heart” (Wisdom Moon), in 2014. Kevin writes a monthly column and entertainment features for Edge Media Network, writes reviews for BistroAwards.com, and freelances for other publications.
