Bettye and the Jockettes
It’s July 3, 1956 and the jockettes of WHER, America’s first "all-girl" radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, are having one heck of a day: the copywriter has run off to elope, they have just found out that the Elvis Presley is coming to the station to be interviewed on-air and their star DJ Bettye has shown up… in pants! When Elvis’s record promoter arrives and is none other than Bettye’s former flame Benjamin, sarcastic zingers fly, sisterhoods are forged, and secrets are exposed. Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
With Christie Perfetti Williams
What inspired you to write this play?
It's my mission as a playwright to create compelling parts for women and girls. So, when Heather Cunningham of Retro Productions told me about the real ladies from WHER, I was over the moon with joy and ideas. I knew it was a story I wanted to share.
What's your favorite part or line in the play? Why?
My favorite line in the play is one word. (Warning! Spoiler alert!) It's when Kit asks Ben if he loves Bettye and he answers succinctly and unequivocally, "Yes." My heart skips a beat every time I hear it!
Where did the characters come from? Are they based on people you know?
The play is a work of fiction though some of the characters and the setting are inspired by a real place and real people in history. The "all-girl" radio station WHER truly existed. As, of course, did Elvis.
What did you try to achieve with this play?
I wanted to create a play that's fun. That's uplifting. That inspires. I also wanted the play to be appropriate for all audiences, including families. I truly believe there is something for everyone in it!
Do you have anything else you'd like to add?
I had the good fortune of watching as audience members left the theater after the play's debut run in NYC. Some were laughing. Some were laughing through tears. Some were even singing! But everyone, and I mean everyone, was smiling. What a gift!