This was no conventional tribute to Minnie Pearl, the Grand Ol’ Opry and country music star.  Minnie’s appearance at Don’t Tell Mama—considering that she died in 1996—was a special dispensation from God, we were told.  Beyoncé was about to miss an engagement due to illness and with all the living luminaries already booked, the booking agent turned to God for help. God was sympathetic, and Minnie was returned to earth for three days to stand in. “Minnie” explains it was because God knew she always wanted to sing Broadway show tunes, and now this would be her chance.

You don’t believe it?  Admittedly, it takes a bit of suspension of disbelief, but Jones has captured the wide-eyed, plain-talking, man-hungry spinster handily (“I do have a weakness for the men-folk”).  Besides, if God didn’t send down the real Minnie Pearl, this one is good enough to keep the show humming and—to steal the title of Minnie’s famed TV show—Hee Hawing.  In addition, Minnie’s oft-mentioned but elusive Uncle Nabob was sent along to help, and Darron Cardosa plays the hick hayseed as charmingly as one could want. 

Albeit with taped accompaniment, Minnie, who’d been named one of the Forty Greatest Women in Country Music,  does get her chance with the Broadway tunes. From “Razzle Dazzle” to “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “I Cain’t Say No.”  But the heart of the show, and largely what makes it a success, is Jones’ recreation of the character, his interaction with the audience and with Cardosa’s Uncle Nabob.  If you’ve fond recollections of the country comedienne, or if you just are in the mood for some rib-tickling family-style entertainment, keep your eye peeled for Mark Alan Jones as Minnie Pearl.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
March 9, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org