“Fancy”—Bobbie Gentry's country anthem about a resilient young sex worker with dreams of stardom that was popularized by Reba McEntire in the early '90s—is heading to the stage. Margot Astrachan and the Peccadillo Theater Company will present a two-day developmental lab of Fancy, inspired by the hit song. The musical features a book by Susan DiLallo and Dan Wackerman; Denis Jones will direct and choreograph.
The lab will take place March 16 at 4 PM and March 17 at 11 AM and 3 PM at Off-Broadway’s Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street).
The score will comprise a number of country and blues chart-toppers, including “I Walk the Line,” “Redneck Woman,” “Before He Cheats,” “Hit the Road, Jack,” “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and—of course—the title song.
Katie Boeck (Spring Awakening) will star in the title role; joining her are Matt Bogart (Jersey Boys), Felicia Finley (The Wedding Singer), and Jon Patrick Walker (Young Frankenstein). Rounding out the cast are Colin Cunliffe (Finding Neverland), Kara Mikula (White Christmas), Sydney Morton (American Psycho), T. Oliver Reid (Sunset Boulevard), Blair Ross (Side Show), Kirstin Tucker (A Bronx Tale), Scott Wakefield (Hands on a Hardbody), and musician Sam Sherwood.
The story follows Fancy, a 16-year-old aspiring music star in Louisiana who, after being abandoned by her mother, turns to a life of prostitution. Determined to get off the street, Fancy eventually finds the fame she craved, but it comes at a price.
Take a look at McEntire’s 1991 music video for the tune below.