Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
While Petty is fabulous singing as Williams, he also does creditable impersonations of legends like Jimmie Rogers, Ernest Tubb, Webb Pierce, Roy Acuff, George Jones and The Carter Family. Elvis fans will be delighted with Petty’s energetic tribute to the king with one of Presley’s first hit songs, “That’s Alright Mama.”
Mr. Petty has polished and perfected this presentation, and it has a lot of humor, much of which is very topical. The Dual Critics hold in awe superstars who can perform the same show hundreds and even thousands of times and yet have the ability to keep it fresh and alive and pleasing to the audience. We have had the honor of seeing a few of the stars who have achieved this. The names that come to mind are Carol Channing in Hello Dolly, Yul Brynner in The King and I, Gail Bliss as Patsy Cline and of course Jason Petty who has been doing this show that he wrote since it debuted in 1998.
The show is in two acts, both using the same set that suggests a radio station studio, with the four musicians on a bandstand, and various signs related to life in the South, including “Route 66” and “Louisiana Hayride.“ Petty dresses in a very sharp light tan suit for Act I and changes to a deep blue suit for the Act 2, while the musicians wear classic country-western shirts with appliquéd yokes throughout.
Jason Petty got his big break in show business in 1996 when he was cast as Williams in the musical “Hank Williams: Lost Highway.” It played Off-Broadway, and Petty was nominated and won an OBIE award against competition that included the well-known film star Antonio Banderas.
Immediately after each show, Petty goes into the lobby where he loves to chat with his fans and will sign anything except body parts; he will also pose for photos so bring your camera. CDs of his shows are also available.
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