BUTLER TWP - A piece of honky-tonk Americana, "Pump Boys and Dinettes," opened Friday night at the Butler Community College Cultural Center Succop Theater to a small but enthusiastic audience.

Though at times the lyrics seemed a bit too hokey and contrived, a talented cast under the direction of Larry Stock expertly delivered them.

"Pump Boys and Dinettes" is set on Carolina Highway 57, somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna, at a gas station and a roadside eatery called the Double Cupp Diner.

It opened with the toe-tapping tune "Highway 57" which featured Phil Ball as LM on guitar accompanied by Karen O'Donnell and Bryan Helsel in the pit.

The song set the stage for the rest of the show, which lyrics included words like white lightning, reefer, farmer tan and yes, Dolly Parton.

The show had hand clapping, tap dancing, three-part harmony, a cowbell, crooning and swooning and a raffle at intermission. You can ask the lady in Row J, seat 113, about her prize.

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Pump Boys and Dinettes" featured love songs on two levels, "The Best Man," a lament by Prudie played by Davlin Hupp, and the upbeat, moderately steamy "Mona" sung by Brady Patsy, who portrayed Jackson.

There were songs about family such as "Mawma" and an ode to a dear, departed grandma sung by Dean Weiland, who played Jim; and "Sister," sung by Hupp and the other Dinette, Christy Hamilton.

As you would expect in a country musical comedy there was a song about drinking, called "Drinkin' Shoes." Hamilton gave her co-star Weiland an energetic slap on the wrist entitled "Be Good or Be Gone," sung to him because he chose fishing over a date with her.

Oh yes, and there was a song about fishing, complete with a fisherman's prayer, which included righteous guidance to their shoes.

The harmonies were harmonious, and the chemistry was great for this redneck romp. Speaking of rednecks, Phil Ball's performance in "Farmer Tan" had faces red from laughter.

It was an hour and a half of perfect escapist entertainment, with a happy, feel good, homey style.

It made me want to take to the highway on a road trip south for some pie and fishing, but only after the encore.