By Becky Donner

            Much has been said in lyrics and literature over the years about the power of a woman.

Perhaps no song says it better, however, than Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s “I’m a Woman.”  

Who can forget such classic lyrics as, “I got a twenty dollar gold piece says there ain’t nothin’ I can’t do. I can make a dress out of a feed bag, and I can make a man out of you, ‘Cause I’m a woman, W-O-M-A-N…I’ll say it again.” 

            And it’s the music and lyrics of this powerful team, Leiber and Stoller, which are the basis for Halifax County Little Theatre’s production of “Smokey Joe’s Café.”  Directed by Victoria Thomasson, with musical direction by Bob Thomasson, “Smokey Joe’s Café” celebrates the collaborations of Leiber and Stoller that filled the musical world in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s. 

            True to the words of the classic song, four women will be taking center stage during this production and belt out song after song that will make it clear that they are women to be reckoned with.  Alison Streeter, Wanda Vaughn, Sharron Garrett, and Jessica Rose Hayes will leave the audience clamoring for more of their sultry, sassy, and sophisticated singing. 

            Woman #1, Alison Streeter:  A native of Indiana, this woman is the Assistant Dean of Alumni Services of Carlbrook School by day.  By night, however, she can be found singing and dancing in rehearsals for the April 18 opening of “Smokey Joe’s.” 

            Alison says, “This music is the fabric of our lives.  Many of us have grown up hearing these songs sung by so many different artists.  It’s music we know.  Everyone can relate to something in these songs.”

              Music has long been a part of Alison’s life also.  A graduate of Indiana University, Alison spent several years singing in summer stock productions and spent five years in Nashville.  She ultimately decided to go back to school to get her master’s degree in counseling at Middle Tennessee State University and eventually moved to Halifax County five years ago.

            Locally, Alison has been seen on stage in Little Theatre’s productions of “Beehive,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “Children of Eden.”  She also sings as a member of Bob Thomasson’s jazz band, Sixth and Main. 

            Working with the Thomasson team, Alison claims, is both invigorating and exciting.  Alison states, “This band is the best I’ve ever sung with, including the professional bands in the summer stock shows I’ve done.  They are unbelievable. And Vicky is energetic, spontaneous, and pulls things out of me that I didn’t think I had in me.  We’re like one big family at rehearsals.”

            Also proclaiming the joys of the show is Woman #2:  Wanda Vaughn.  A Lab Administrator for algebra and geometry classes at Halifax County High School, Wanda has a past that makes her a pretty impressive woman also. 

            A native of Halifax County, Wanda decided to explore the world after a few years of college and joined the U.S. Army, eventually meeting her husband Byron in Baumholder, Germany, where he was also serving.

             After marrying, Wanda and Byron were stationed in various places in Texas, California, Korea, Louisiana, and Virginia.  When Byron retired from the military, they eventually settled in Halifax County, where they have raised their two children, Danielle and Derek, who were born during the Army years. 

            Wanda enjoys her work at the high school, saying, “It’s rewarding when you can help a student understand something.  When he says, ‘Thank you,’ it makes you feel good; it’s fulfilling.” 

            Wanda first became involved with Little Theatre with the show “A Woman Called Truth,” where she served as the stage manager.  A few years later, she was in the musical revue, “Ain’t Misbehavin'.” That show proved that Wanda Vaughn was a singer, par excellence. 

            “Smokey Joe’s Café” will make that point again.  Wanda loves the music in the show, saying, “There are blues, love songs, laughter, just the whole gamut of music in the show.  It’s so dynamic, and I can’t wait until opening night comes. We’ve all worked very hard.” 

            One of those hard-working, singing women is Woman #3:  Sharron Garrett.  Also a native of Halifax County, Sharron has a degree in criminal justice from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in counseling from Longwood University.

             She is currently employed by Halifax County as a Victim/Witness Programs Director and helps take victims or witnesses through the court process.  She says that she enjoys what she does and adds, “Every day is different at work. I certainly feel that I'm helpful to those I serve.” 

            Sharron is also active at Bethel Grove Baptist Church where she sings in the choir. But it was her mother who brought her attention to auditions for “Smokey Joe’s Café.”  She says she came to auditions on a whim and has really enjoyed working on the show.

            To Sharron, the music was new; she didn’t know a lot of it, but she likes the music now and finds it extremely entertaining.  She also says, “Singing and dancing all together can be challenging though!  I enjoy watching the guys at rehearsal learn their songs and dances, and I’ve met a lot of new friends.”

One of those new friends is Jessica Rose Hayes, Woman #4.  An English teacher at Halifax County High School, where she also is a JV Soccer coach, Jessica moved to Halifax County during her middle school years, after living in Texas, Minnesota, and North Carolina. A graduate of Radford University, Jessica became active in Little Theatre upon her return to the county.  She has appeared in “Charlotte’s Web,” “A Christmas Carol,” Children of Eden,” and “Pump Boys and Dinettes.” 

            Jessica said that she had so much fun in “Pump Boys,” singing with the band and working with Vicky, that she wanted to audition for “Smokey Joe’s” also.  And although she’s a newlywed, she says her husband John is “very supportive,” adding “he’s great!” 

            Jessica comments about the show, “A lot of people will remember the songs.  They’re nostalgic; they're good old songs that they don’t seem to make anymore.”

            Jessica is also impressed with choreographer Pat Crew.  She says, “She has us doing stuff I didn’t think I could do!  I’m not a graceful person, but I’m discovering that I can learn the steps.  Pat makes us want to be here to learn the dances.  We want to do a good job with them.” 

            These four women with busy lives make the lyrics jump to life.  “I can rub and scrub ‘til this old house is shinin’ like a dime.  Feed the baby, grease the car, and powder my face at the same time.  Get all dressed up, go out and swing ‘til four a.m. and then lay down at five, jump up at six and start all over again. ‘Cause I’m a woman, W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again!”

            Proclaiming her faith in these women is director Vicky Thomasson.  "Each song requires these singers to become different personalities, and these four women seem to multiply themselves by morphing into different characters depending on what music or song is involved.  I feel like I got two or three for the price of one a piece!"

            Thomasson continues, "Needless to say, they have really intensified the experience for me, as they will for the audiences.  They are just so comfortable in their presentations and in their body language as they tell the stories through the songs. It's easy to get lost in the song by watching their physical and facial expressions.  They really give you the whole package, both in their bodies and through their incredible singing."         

            These four women can be seen when the play opens on April 18 and runs through May 3.  Evening performances (including three Tuesday night shows) are April 18, 22, 25, 26, 29 and May 1, 2, and 3 at 8:00 pm.  Afternoon shows are April 20 and 27 at 3:00 pm.

‘Smokey Joe’s Café’ is a show dedicated to music of the period.  While not racy by today’s standards, HCLT won’t be held responsible for any toe tapping, leg shaking, or hand clapping fun had by theatergoers!  

Tickets can be purchased at The Prizery box office in person, via telephone by calling 572 – 8339 on Monday – Thursday evenings from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, or on-line at www.hclt.org.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. 

Don’t miss “Smokey Joe’s Café” or these four WOMEN.  And there’s no doubt that they are exactly that!