The tagline for Sloppy Bonnie is simply irresistible. This show is billed as “a roadkill musical for the modern chick.” Is Bonnie sloppy? Yes indeed but perhaps not sloppy enough. This country western musical comedy does have inspired creative flourishes amidst the cartoonish and gleefully vengeful proceedings.
Bonnie is engaged to Jedidiah who is away for the summer. He is a pastor in training at a retreat. When old friend Sissy comes to town, Bonnie gets the idea to visit him since he has gone dark on emails, texts and phone calls. This “little girl” from Tennessee takes a road trip through more than the dangerous southern roads past the “Dinosaur Creation Museum.” Her journey is a warped feminist rant as well as a self-deprecating take on an idealized American stereotype.
Dr. Rob and Chauncy kick off the musical performing their Cosmic Country Radio show. They announce that they are here to tell a morality tale about an American woman. How does Bonnie define herself? “By my purchases” is the tongue-in-cheek retort. This leads into the opening number “You Might Call Me Basic.” My favorite line: “And ya I still say x-presso / I’m proud of what I don’t know.”
Jesus comes along for the ride, naturally. Jumping in the car he notes he just purchased a 44 ounce refill. He plans to turn it into wine later. He will, at some point, take the wheel. It’s good to have him around as “he healeth every pothole.” Unfortunately Jesus is not along for the entire ride and the car breaks down. A young lady all alone with Chris and Bryan pushing her and the vehicle. They are described as “shirtless grifter drifters with California accents.” All of the targets swung at in this show are big.
Bonnie’s journey turns from naively dingbatish to bizarrely deadly, in a most delightful way. The storyline, however, careens wildly hitting guardrails on both sides of the highway. There is the welcome radio station interludes and inexplicable numerous trips to the concept of the Nativity Chicken. That does lead to one of the weirdest yet oddly compelling song “But Not For Birds.” Bonnie sings in her best deadpan “when I grew older I would notice/ fellas focus mostly on two parts.” The choreography is both a ridiculous and giddy tribute to Marilyn Monroe’s Diamonds number in Gentleman Prefer Blondes.
Playwright Krista Knight and Composer Barry Brinegar have smartly packaged their show into a sketch filled road trip movie wannabe. Leah Lowe directed Sloppy Bonnie. This online video was recorded from a previous live performance. What makes the streaming extra interesting is the cartoon drawings layered on to the taped performance. The often silly material benefits from a cheeky presentation style which lightens the dark clouds which threaten throughout this musical. The screwdriver scene has to be more enjoyable when viewed online.
Amanda Disney is amusing as Bonnie. She sings lyrics about wanting “just one small McNugget of your love” without irony which makes the songs work for this offbeat character. Her male sidekicks, however, get to sink their teeth into comedic hijinks in multiple roles. Curtis Reed and James Randolph II lend a SNL-like skit feel which is often entertaining. The idea to inflate the heads for the radio announcers was hilariously spot on.
As may be appropriate for a roadkill musical, there are some unfortunate accidents. The plot careens around many sharp turns which are unevenly steered. The Book of Mormon tinged ending is probably the least effective section in the show. That said, Sloppy Bonnie may exist to be a modern feminist manifesto. Men, you better listen up. You try ghosting your girl and risk the consequences. Things might just get a little sloppy.
Sloppy Bonnie was recorded in June 2021 at OZ Arts Nashville. This world premiere musical is available online through July 15, 2021. Select the “canned” option for streaming tickets.