‘Beehive’ Cast Singing Up a Storm at Downtown Theatre Centre

If you’re a fan of upbeat musical revues that include stellar singing combined with splashy costumes and theatrical lighting, you’re going to enjoy “Beehive,” presented by Penn State Centre Stage.

The show opened Friday and runs through June 23 at the Downtown Theatre Centre.

With more than 40 songs from girl groups and solo performers of the 1960s, “Beehive” is a nostalgic trip through the discographies of some of the most popular female performers of the rock era. The songs of The Supremes,

The Chiffons, The Shirelles, and the solo works of Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and Brenda Lee are included in the production.

The cast of six will sing up a storm. Three members of the show’s cast recently discussed the show and their careers in musical theatre.

Carole Jones, a musical theatre professional who graduated from James Madison University will perform the songs of the great Diana Ross.

“I downloaded all of her songs and was amazed at the range of her music,” Jones said. “It is impressive all the songs she recorded.”

Jones has spent the last two years on the road performing in the national tour of “Mamma Mia,” the musical based on the songs of 70s pop group ABBA.

“I hope to be on Broadway some day,” Jones continued. “I really enjoy working as an actor. Sometimes things get tough, but it’s my passion for performing that keeps me going.”

Crystal Sha’nae graduated from Syracuse University, where she had the opportunity to work at the renowned Syracuse Stage.

She feels fortunate that she was able to get professional acting jobs right out of college. She performed a showcase of her talents in New York and was signed by an agent immediately. Recently, Sha’nae has been performing as the character “Dynamite” in the musical “Hairspray.”

“I have been working professionally since 2008, but this is my first time at Penn State Centre Stage. At first the pollen here was getting to me. But once rehearsals started, I was fine,” she joked. “I have a clear vision of how my character has evolved in the show, and audience participation will be part of it.”

This production is something of a homecoming for Lexi Rhoads. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in musical theatre in 2009 and has been working steadily ever since. She is currently receiving high praise for her performance in the off-Broadway musical “Sistas.”

In “Beehive,” Rhoads will performing lead vocals on the songs of Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin.

“It has been a pleasure to return to Penn State,” she said.

Referring to her fellow cast members, Rhoads noted that all three have run into one another at auditions in New York.

“Carol and I were in a performance of “Dream Girls” in West Virginia,” she said.

Rhoads has been having a great deal of success in pursuing her career in musical theatre.

“This is it for me,” she said. “I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love the smell of a new rehearsal space and the energy of it. It’s addicting.”

Jones agreed: “I saw a production of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ when I was young and I knew it was what I wanted to do. I can’t believe people get paid to do this. It’s constantly new, always taking you somewhere else.”

Asked to provide some advice for audiences coming to see “Beehive,” Sha’nae said: “Tell them to bring their dancing shoes and get involved. It’s going to be a good time.”