How to go
What: “Bubba’s Revenge”
When: Plays through Feb. 28
Where: La Comedia Dinner Theatre, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro
Cost: $51-$69
Info: (937) 746-4554 or (800) 677-9505
SPRINGBORO — Every so often La Comedia Dinner Theatre goes the country music route. This year, the road is a sequel.
“Bubba’s Revenge,” playing through Feb. 28, is a sequel to “Honky Tonk Angels,” which played at the theater in 2001. That musical, from the creator of the shows “Always ... Patsy Cline” and “The Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular,” follows three women leading dead-end lives, so they pursue their dreams of becoming country singers.
“Revenge” takes the story in zany directions, complete with a seance and an onstage accident with a disco ball.
Returning to the show is Leslie Jo Bissett, who reprises her role as Angela.
“It’s the same big hair and everything,” Bissett said, referring to Angela.
A veteran of numerous local shows that are often country themed, Bissett is a triple threat here, starring in, directing and choreographing the show.
Most of the music in “Bubba’s Revenge” is of the older country school with songs such as “On the Road Again,” “Islands in the Stream” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.”
However, the song title that always gets the most laughs whenever general manager Joe Atkins describes the show is a little ditty called “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly.”
Originally recorded by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, that song is a fight between Angela and her husband, Bubba, as they blame each other for their kids’ looks.
“It’s a comedy-based piece that’s got a good strong cast of really strong singers,” Bissett said.
Actually, sometimes those singers are a little too good.
“Theater people mimic well, so you can say to them ‘Try it this way.’ But sometimes that vocal training comes through, and they forget they’re rednecks from Texas,” Bissett said.
La Comedia serves a buffet meal followed by the show. Arrival times are 5:30 p.m. for evening performances Wednesday through Sunday, and 10:30 a.m. for matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.
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