ACTORS' THEATRE OF SOUTH CAROLINA presents
"Southern Men!"
A new cabaret comedy
by Boo Sheppard & Chris Weatherhead
DO Southern Men have the edge? A modern southern belle reveals secrets on the battle of the sexes to a California ex-surfer girl in this comedy cabaret in a Folly Beach coffee bar!
Directed by Clarence Felder.
Stars Boo Sheppard, Chris Weatherhead & Clarence Felder.
Bill Nance on keyboards.
Review #1
Post and Courier Tuesday, June 1, 2004
'Southern Men' clever, masterful
BY SANDY KATZ
Post and Courier Reviewer
Piccolo at the Footlights & Actor's Theatre of South Carolina presented "Southern Men!" at Footlight Players Theatre Monday to a packed house of enthusiastic theatergoers eager to hear all about the ups and downs of being a Southern male. They got more than their money's worth.
Against a colorful Folly Beach coffee shop setting decked out in tropical decorations, the equally colorful Chris Weatherhead (Heather), Boo Sheppard (Becky Sue) and Clarence Felder (Jimmy Ray) held the audience in the palms of their hands as they threw out quick-witted one-liners, one after another. The joke set-ups were masterful.
Weatherhead and Sheppard deserve many kudos for writing such a tight, funny, meaningful and locally significant script. These women should be writing sitcoms for the 2005 television season. Since many of the punch lines have sexual innuendos, the younger set should probably stay home. This show is definitely for a mature audience who can relate to life's trials and sexual tribulations.
Weatherhead and Sheppard wrote four show-stopping tunes. However, they didn't realize how strong these songs were, so they only talked them through instead of belting them out in Bette Midler fashion as demonstrated by three women in "First Wives Club." I'd like to see them grab a mike and tear the house down with those original songs " Coffeetime," "Lady At the Top," "Southern Men" and "Ain't Love Grand."
The whole show took place in a coffee shop as Heather and Becky Sue chat girlfriend-style about Southern men. Heather was just divorced and moved from California to Folly Beach, where she is employed as a vice president of sales. She is tall, sleek, intelligent, beautiful and feeling a bit down in the mouth with low self-esteem because of all her men troubles. Weatherhead played this part to the hilt. Her stage credits can fill a book. She is an equity actor of immense talent.
Sheppard plays the Southern belle eager to give all her worldly advice to Heather. She is an authority on Southern men. She delivered more male-bashing jokes than possibly imaginable with quick wit. She even laughed at her own jokes.
Felder played the devil's advocate with gentle woman-bashing material. His delivery was strong, firm and fully packed with the funniest statistics on the planet that poke fun at women.
He also has a multitude of acting credits.
The gist of some of the humor: Why do men wake up in the middle of the night? Fifteen percent to get water, fifteen percent to go to the bathroom and eighty percent to go home.
There are three kinds of men: intelligent, handsome and the majority.
Becky Sue gave her philosophy of life with a man: Smile to yourself and say "Bless your Heart" And it wasn't meant in a spiritual sense, her way of quietly digging at the man.
Sheppard and Weatherhead did a long monologue on wrinkles and fat, wrinkles that made you look like a lady full of wisdom and fat as a sign of prosperity if you were in Hawaii.
Felder did a cute monologue on Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and reference to the construction of the new Cooper River bridge. The locals in the audience couldn't restrain their laughter. That hit close to home.
The canned music was played by Greg Ross, Michael Evans and Bill Nance with lyrics by Sheppard and Weatherhead. Robert Ivey lent his talent as choreographer and Clarence Felder was the multi-talented director.
One hour flew by as you want to hang on to every word of this clever presentation. These women have great potential as writers. A job well done.
REVIEW LETTER:
From Pat Cooke, Wild Dunes Club Membership Director, regarding performance of SOUTHERN MEN!
"Wild Dunes Club was honored to host the premier performance of "Southern Men" starring Boo Sheppard, Chris Weatherhead and Clarence Felder. As the Wild Dunes coordinator for the event, I was not the least bit concerned about the quality of the performance. I had seen several productions starring these same veteran performers. But I don't mind telling you I was nervous about introducing a brand new script to the diverse audience of Wild Dunes members who have chosen this beautiful island resort to be their home. The personality trait known as 'sense of humor' has a tender balance of highs and lows that is often affected by regional tastes and our membership represents the entire USA and a few foreign countries as well. We had a sold out house that knew I was personally responsible for scheduling the event. About 2 minutes into the performance the performance caused a few chuckles that grew into a total audience laugh that continued at each of the sharp comedy sketches until the last line of the script! The reviews that really count, the ones by the paying ticket holders, were tops! "Southern Men" is a fun-filled evening that appeals to northern, eastern and western folk as well!"
REVIEW #2:
The Sandspur, Folly Beach,SC/February 2003 Issue---
"Southern Men" Theater Review by Diane Louise Scher---January 28, 2003
"Southern Men!" Warms Up
Robust Crowd in Fundraiser
By Diane Louise Scher, Freelance Reporter
What truly sizzled on Saturday night, January 25, was a little theatrical upstart and fresh cabaret musical comedy show titled, "Southern Men!" This production has a big heart and many profound, funny and folksy messages-- thanks to its creators, Boo Sheppard and Chris Weatherhead. It was just the right ticket to warm the hearts of a full house at the Holiday Inn during a very cold night on Folly Beach! This original three-person production was set in a charming, quaint beach café, the "Java Wave" coffee bar, in Folly Beach with a cozy set adorned with vintage Hawaiian and beach décor. From the first words and musical notes, the audience was drawn into its tender trap for a special evening of fun and lighthearted banter.
To set the mood of the cabaret, everyone was encouraged to bring in hot and cold drinks. This action added to the comfortable ambience of the play. This gem of a play was written by acting/writing partners, Boo Sheppard and Chris Weatherhead. We were served a heaping plate of laughs, music, song and the expert comedic antics of Boo Sheppard, who stole the show with her leaps and dancing during the musical numbers. We were captivated with the ladies' rendition of songs, "Coffeetime," "Lady at the Top," "Southern Men" and "Ain't Love Grand."
This talented team also wrote the musical lyrics. Bill Nance played live on keyboards. Gregg Ross, Michael Evans, and Bill Nance composed the music. Comic diva, Boo, playing the ever-lovin' and cheerful Becky Sue, serves as Heather's devoted and loyal friend, Ms. Sheppard did a winning job. She emulated the ideal Southern woman who was confident in her own identity and self-worth. Her talent and quick-witted responses boosted the comedy's rock and roll pace.
According to "Heather," played by endearing and flamboyant actress, Chris Weatherhead, it's been a challenge to meet and date the South's finest men, since her move from the West Coast. Heather is an utterly confused, transplanted divorcee, who is looking for love. Who could resist laughing when Ms. Weatherhead sucks the audience in as the show begins with her opening monologue.
"Becky Sue," graciously accepts the volunteer job of personal advisor to her friend. Through a variety of tips and cleverly timed insights on the make up of Southern men, (including her Aunt Gloria's motto: "Love is a Passing Fanny,") she tries repeatedly to school Heather. We have fun during the ride. The production was definitely ripe with sexual innuendoes and outrageous and funny adult repartee. Who could resist these ladies' charming dialogue in the course of evening?
Interspersed between the two friends, is veteran Broadway and film actor, Clarence Felder, playing Jimmy Ray, a "Southern" male customer who sits at a similar table on the other side of the café. Felder, as Jimmy Ray, does an uproarious soliloquy of belly-laugh quotations about men and women. He's definitely a scene-stealer, showing off his obvious talent and professionalism through his perfect comic timing. Donned with a colorful Hawaiian shirt and holding a cigar, he interjects timeless asides into the audience. He pulls it off, royally. He spouts off his theories via comedycalling out to invisible friends and café patrons (us) as he utters his own brand of male truisms. Felder as "Jimmy Ray" is a great example of point, counterpoint in contrast to the girls' vitriolic and funny diatribe on males.
The laughter and audiences' quick responses were non-stop. This one act production which was a good, rounded, one hour in length, definitely replaced the harsh winter temperatures outside with creative sparks, high energy and a reason to come back for second and third helpings of the Actors' Theatre. It left a delightful taste on our palates for much more.
SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE:
Contact: Chris Weatherhead--(843) 588-9636--
Producing Director, The Actors' Theatre of South Carolina
Actors' Theatre of South Carolina's
comedy, SOUTHERN MEN!
Fundraiser for Folly Beach Fine Arts Center
Do Southern men really have the edge? Advice on romance takes a hilarious turn when a Southern
lady ex-exec gives secrets on the battle of the sexes to a California divorcee in the new comedy
cabaret, SOUTHERN MEN! The play, which takes place in a Folly Beach coffee bar, The Java
Wave, runs two Saturday nights, January 25 and February 1st 2003, at the
Charleston-On-The-Beach Holiday Inn. It's the brainchild of television talk show host, writer and
actress, Boo Sheppard, and theatre, film and television stars Chris Weatherhead and Clarence
Felder, Co-Founders of The Actors' Theatre of South Carolina. All three star in the new comedy
cabaret piece. Humor, Southern wisdom with a Folly Beach twist and a few original songs are
dished up to entertain an audience. "The idea for a light and funny evening has been brewing in
our minds for sometime." Chris said. "Through the years, we've laughed a lot over things that have
happened to us and people we knew. Clarence Felder is Boo Sheppard's cousin and grew up
together in South Carolina. Boo added, "Of course it helps to have Clarence's clever eye on the
project as a director."
Mr. Felder, a Broadway veteran, also plays the role of Jimmy Ray, who happens to be in the same
coffee bar and unbeknownst to the ladies, offers the audience, (in the form of his friend,
"Emmett,") some equal time for the men. Local professional musician, Bill Nance, plays the
keyboard player hired by the coffee bar to entertain patrons. Ms. Weatherhead plays Heather, the
executive lady and ex-surfer girl from California and comes by her role naturally, being raised in
Newport Beach. "The fun starts when Heather's new Southern friend, Becky Sue, advises her how
to get past her divorce," laughed Chris. "Becky Sue dispenses sage 'wisdom' from aunts,
grandmothers, cousins and even her tacky hairdresser, Lurleen. In the process, Heather really
gets an earful. And Boo is such a natural for Becky Sue. Recently, she played the very
mischievous Maria in our production of Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT, set in Malibu. She
was fabulous. It's great to get her into another one of our shows."
Ms. Weatherhead, a veteran leading lady in theatre and television, is best known to local
audiences as the feisty Mary Boykin Chesnut, playing her in 1997's Piccolo Festival, recently for
C-SPAN's American Writers series and in also Ms. Weatherhead's new play touring the state,
MARY CHESNUT'S WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE!
For booking information on SOUTHERN MEN!
CALL: (843) 588-9636
Chris Weatherhead, Producing Director,
Actors' Theatre of South Carolina
ccfelder@aol.com
www.actorstheatreofsc.org
"creating great memories"
