“Route 66” reviewed by Michael Horn

[rating=3] Life was easy going and simple 60 years ago and America had begun our love affair with the automobile.  We could travel far and wide in our cars on the many roads that were being built, but none of them were more important than Route 66 which connected Chicago to L.A.  The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, Illinois pays tribute to this piece of American history with its production of “Route 66”.

“Route 66”, written and created by Roger Bean with musical arrangements by Brian Baker, is set in 1955 at a Texaco Service Station in Chicago where we meet four Texaco station attendants who take us on a musical journey down the historic highway.   This talented quartet; Daniel Ermel, Chase McCurdy, Preston Smith, and Timothy Sullivan, sing, dance, and laugh their way across America telling their story through classic songs like “Route 66”, “Beep Beep”, “King of the Road”, “Hey Little Cobra”, and “On the Road Again”, among others. “Truck Stop Cutie” and “Truck Drivin Man” are two other stand out numbers.  This group is at their best when harmonizing together and playing off each other’s energy, which director Zachary Gray deftly enables, providing a fine balance of music and comedy.  Music director, Mike Evans and his musicians provide strong support on the keyboards, Bass, and Drums.

The story is bound together by an interesting set which duplicates an old Texaco Gas Station, pumps in the front and two garage doors on the side.  Cleverly, behind door number 1 is the band and behind door number 2 is a billboard that changes with each stop the boys make along Route 66.  Atop the station is a mock radio dial that moves along as well.  At each stop along the way we hear old radio ads for various car manufacturers like Dodge, Plymouth, Buick, Chevy, and other products like Delco Remy, Soho gas, and Speedway gas, very nostalgic.

This is a fun play with good performances all around and it makes for a very entertaining two hours.  It is a blast of nostalgia and a drive down memory lane.  Yes, you will get your kicks on Route 66 and have finger snapping good time.

The show runs through October 20, 2013. Tickets range from $40-$44 and can be purchased online at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the Box Office at 847.577.2121.  Show times and dates are as follows”

Thursday, September 26, 2013    7:30 P.M.

Friday, September 27, 2013    8:00 P.M.

Saturday, September 28, 2013  7:00 P.M.

Sunday, September 29, 2013    3:00 P.M.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013    1:00 P.M.

Thursday, October 3, 2013    7:30 P.M.

Friday, October 4, 2013    8:00 P.M.

Saturday, October 5, 2013    7:00 P.M.

Sunday, October 6, 2013    3:00 P.M.                                           

Thursday, October 10, 2013    7:30 P.M.

Friday, October 11 , 2013    8:00 P.M.

Saturday, October 12, 2013    7:00 P.M.

Sunday, October 13, 2013    3:00 P.M.

Thursday, October 17, 2013    7:30 P.M.

Friday, October 18, 2013      8:00 P.M.

Saturday, October 19, 2013    7:00 P.M.

Sunday, October 20, 2013    3:00 P.M.

Metropolis is located in the heart of Chicago’s northwest suburbs in downtown Arlington Heights at the intersection of Campbell and Vail Avenue (111 West Campbell Street). Street parking is available. Free parking is available in the public garage behind the theatre. For more information about Metropolis and a complete 2013/2014performance schedule, visit MetropolisArts.com or call the Box Office at 847.577.2121.