Opening on Broadway in 1982, Pump Boys and Dinettes was a well-received country-styled musical revue. The boys from the gas station on Highway 57 (the pump boys) and the girls from the Double Cupp Diner across the street (the dinettes) put on an old-fashioned entertainment for their customers. Five of the six surviving cast members reunited for a two show concert at 54 Below, Broadway’s supper club. Never having seen this Tony Award Best Musical nominee (lost to Nine), I decided to check out this sold-out reunion.
The diner is located somewhere near Smyrna, North Carolina. The actor-musicians perform the songs on guitar, bass, piano and kitchen utensils. The whisk on cheese grater was particularly genius. The tunes are country pop/rock and they were very good. “T.N.D.P.W.A.M.” was a terrific storytelling song about “The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine.” The ladies’ lament “Tips” and “Farmer Tan” were also memorable standouts for me.
The original cast wrote all of these songs and it was a treat to see them and their adoring audience (many theater professionals) celebrating this musical 36 years later. Curious to see a show that you may have missed? Enjoy intimate supper clubs with great sound that serve delicious food and cocktails? Yes? Combine those passions and check out a reunion at 54 Below. This is my third one (Side Show and The Drowsy Chaperone were the others). The verdict on Pump Boys and Dinettes? Of the original, Time magazine said the show “tickles the funny bone.” Newsweek said the songs were “cheery, relaxed and amiable.” I agree.