"It's time to ‘reboot’ this country classic!" 

A little over twenty years ago, attorney/singer-songwriter, Pete Wilke, wrote a musical—book, music, lyrics… all of it. He called it COUNTRY the MUSICAL, because it is simply that: a musical filled with original country tunes that soundtrack the heartfelt story of a group of six disparate people who work and share life together in a busy country bar in Bakersfield, California. With a story that reflects the cares and concerns of everyday people, some of whom happen to share a passion for music and the ups and downs of making it, it lives up to its tagline: "...life and love in three-part harmony!"

Premiering at the iconic Crazy Horse Saloon in Orange County, CA, in 1999, the show quickly became an audience hit that struck a chord with reviewers as well. A later run at Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, CA, in 2000, brought the show to its fictional “home,” and offered the opportunity to shoot the performance scenes that appear in the “song medley” video (linked below).

Originally directed and choreographed by Kay Cole, with music direction by Phil Swann, the show was designed as “environmental theater”: the club stood in for the set, with the band on stage, and actors playing “waitresses” and “customers” mingling in amongst the actual customers and staff. The soundtrack features 20 original songs, from rousing honky-tonks and edgy country-rockers, to tender ballads and “tears in your beer” weepers, with some accompanied by exhilarating choreography.

Filled with both humor and humanity, the story of COUNTRY the MUSICAL touches on universal themes of love and heartache, career aspirations and disappointments, and the inevitable clash between youth and wisdom, experience and naivete… in other words: LIFE, taking the story through some relatable ups and downs to its touching, hopeful ending.

With a full country/rock band, and cast of six actors (three men, three women), the show is contemporary and compact, its story and themes both evergreen and universally appealing. 

Pete Wilke is currently seeking new opportunities to bring the show back on the boards... or, as one fellow put it, "It's time to 'reboot' this country classic!"

+1 (323) 397-5380
PeteWilkeAtty@gmail.com

Photos by Michael Lamont

Original Cast/Crazy Horse: (pictured): Lorraine Devon Wilke, Gary Clark, Lauri Johnson, Bruce McKinnon, Ronna Jones & Craig Woolson

Original Soundtrack/Crystal Palace Cast: Lorraine Devon Wilke, Gary Clark, Lauri Johnson, Rod Weber, Jennie Wilke Willens & Dean Fortunato

Country the Musical is following

Country the Musical is not following anyone.