Submitted by Harlequin Productions
An Interview with the Director/Creator of Sixties Chicks Too, Linda Whitney
On June 18, Harlequin Productions opened Sixties Chicks Too, a musical celebration of the 1960’s greatest female singers and songwriters. This Harlequin original musical runs through July 19 at the State Theater in downtown Olympia. I sat down with Director and creator, Linda Whitney, to find out more about the show that’s got everyone dancing in the aisles.
I understand Sixties Chicks Too is based on a show Harlequin originally produced in 2009.
That’s right. We produced Sixties Chicks in 2009, and to this day it’s the most successful show of this kind we’ve ever done.
What lead to the decision to do it again?
I have repeatedly had patrons ask me to bring back Sixties Chicks. It was an amazing show and we’re excited to be doing it again!
How does this show differ from the previous version?
There are 33 numbers in the show. About half of them are new selections. This one is much dancier than the ’09 version. It also features a redesigned set that is much more versatile and colorful.
What can audiences expect from the show?
It’s a celebration of the pop music of the sixties written and performed by girl groups, individual artists, and even songs originally made popular by men that were reinterpreted by women. The journey begins with romance-oriented refrains from the early part of the decade. Then the show moves into more mature themes from later in the decade when women like Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro began to write personal and powerful songs about coming of age. In addition, video imagery is used to put the music in context with the time.
It’s a rock show so there is a six piece band and lots of colorful lighting and video. It’s highly energetic, but it also includes introspective moments. There is no non-singing dialogue, but there is an experiential through-line in that we move through the decade from a woman’s perspective via the songs of the day. Every song tells a story, and they are arranged in an order that relates to the events and textures of that decade.
What can dance fans expect?
Plenty of dance on stage! Choreographer Amy Shephard has done a knockout job of making every number move. The styles range from period to contemporary over the arc of the show.
Care to give an exclusive sneak preview of what some of the songs are?
A cross section: “One Fine Day,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Since You’ve Been Gone,” “Please Mr. Postman,” “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “Different Drum,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” “Change is Gonna Come”…
Why go with an all-female cast/song list?
The material from the sixties evolved rapidly, but most notable in this evolution was the material that women were recording and performing. It progressed from cute girl groups wearing matching outfits to wild solo acts like Janis Joplin.
What do their accomplishments mean for us now? That’s what this show is ultimately exploring.
Tickets are on sale now for the musical event of the summer. Visit Harlequin Productions online for more details.
