INTRODUCING DOLLY! WITH PINK(S) AND PEZZNER

We're thrilled to share our summer show, Dolly!—a dazzling mix of rhinestones, ruffles, dance, and iconic sing-alongs. This magical, honey-coated jukebox-dance musical follows our miracle maven as she transforms the world into a glittery utopia. With big hair and even bigger ballads, Dolly! will have everyone singing, laughing, and feeling all the feels.

With visionary Chris Pink at the helm, musical maestro Dave Pezzner seizing new territories, and choreography queen Fae Pink leading the charge, we’ve been working well beyond 9-5. Get ready to be transported to a world that’s bursting with rhinestones and a whole lot of pizzazz.

So, whether you’re a seasoned Can Can enthusiast or a first-time visitor looking for some summertime fun, Dolly! has something for everyone. Join us as we dance, sing, and celebrate the season in style.

THECANCAN.COM: Can you give our audience a glimpse into the creative process behind crafting the music and choreography for Dolly!?

Dave Pezzner: The creative process with all of our shows starts with a palette of songs and ideas and the overall vision Chris has for our shows that he wants to convey. For instance, we have the story of Dolly! and the general idea will evoke various styles of music. Similarly to the Pinterest boards that are put together for the shows’ aesthetic, we’ll put together a playlist of musical ideas, We’ll start with that general palette and just start throwing together little bits and pieces to see where they could live within the show.

Chris Pink: This experience creating Dolly! has been a little bit different in the fact that we’re starting with a body of work that’s not necessarily in our Can Can wheelhouse. We started off in the pop realm of things. In my mind, I wanted everything to be able to be sung along to by everyone in the audience. I wanted to have these recognizable songs Can Can-ified and done our way, so people could still sing along because they recognized the lyrics. Having that basic foundational body of work and then the quest to find what is the true sound of the show will indicate the vibe and the aesthetics of the show. The pop songs we’re playing with aren’t in their original forms in the show–they’re more obscure, a little offbeat, and put into our wheelhouse.

Dave Pezzner: Let's take a disco song, for instance, like one by Gloria Gaynor. It's lively, fast-paced, and perfect for a party vibe–but it's disco. However, since this show centers around country music derivatives, we're exploring anything that has roots in country music. So, what's upbeat in that realm? Think along the lines of Johnny Cash—upbeat, fast, high-energy tracks.

Coming from a DJ background, I'm inclined to experiment. I'll consider mashing up a Johnny Cash song with this Gloria Gaynor track to see if they blend seamlessly and capture the vibe we're after. If it works, I'll delve deeper, creating a piece that retains the essence of the Gloria Gaynor song but is infused with the energy of Johnny Cash.If we're leaning towards rockabilly, I'll explore that genre extensively. Drawing inspiration from various hooks and themes, we'll craft something that aligns perfectly with the show's vision.

Chris Pink: Here's a fun fact: many of the tracks inspired by Johnny Cash are actually derivatives of a project I did with Vince Mira. We recorded in the same cabin where Johnny Cash recorded, with the same players he collaborated with. Just a little tidbit for you there!

Dave Pezzner: We've gathered Pro Tools sessions from various sources, and for this upbeat project, we're aiming for that authentic country music sound, which often shines brightest in live recordings. Having access to recordings from Johnny Cash's sessions at Cash Cabin has truly enhanced our ability to capture that genuine country vibe and has been incredibly beneficial in selling these tunes within the legitimate country music sphere.

Fae Pink: The music always comes first in the creation process and acts as my main inspiration in creating the choreography. This show is very pop and Dolly-inspiration-heavy, and the choreography reflects that. It’s pretty straightforward, high energy, showy, and bright. There are other times in the year that we get to play with darker, more whimsical themes, but this summer show is all about being playful and fun. 

THECANCAN.COM: Let’s talk about the muse for Dolly! Where does the inspiration for this show’s aesthetic come from? 

Chris Pink: In my mind, I thought of Dolly! as more of an encapsulation of Dolly and what she represents in the world. Her significance to planet Earth is profound, transcending generational and international boundaries. It seems like every issue on the planet, Dolly has some beautiful anecdote for.

That's where my perspective was coming from–the notion that Dolly is a modern icon. If, hypothetically, humanity faced extinction and future beings discovered a record of our culture, they might regard Dolly as a figure akin to the second coming of Jesus.

To me, she embodies that level of significance. So, I had this idea of presenting Dolly as a symbolic figure, almost akin to Jesus, and her music, shaped by her influence, reflecting her impact on various cultural spheres, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. There's a definite overlap between what might be considered gay anthems or drag culture staples, more so than traditional cabaret. The juxtaposition of Dolly in a cabaret setting struck me as both odd and perfect.

Fae Pink: For this show, we have created a vibe that is something I like to call pop-rhinestone-cabaret-cowgirl. We have married all of our favorite ideas and made one sparkly, mystical icon. 

THECANCAN.COM: Were there any particular challenges or standout moments in developing the show?

Dave Pezzner: My challenge with this project lies in the fact that country music isn't exactly my forte. However, I believe this works to our advantage. I'm interpreting the sound through my perspective, infusing it with the sheen I personally envision for country music.

Simultaneously, delving deeper into classic country music has been enlightening. I'm discovering all the aspects I admire about the genre. It's been enjoyable homogenizing elements from pop music, rockabilly, spaghetti Western, and even classical Broadway music.

It's a true test of my skills to blend these diverse influences cohesively. Yet, when everything clicks into place, it's incredibly rewarding.

Fae Pink: Creating new shows is always an invigorating challenge. It's like sculpting something out of nothing, a process that always seems to demand more time than we have. We lay down the groundwork during early rehearsals, but it's not until the final weeks of technical rehearsals that everything truly comes together—the lights, the dance, the story, the costumes, the vocals—all blending into one harmonious whole. And of course, as the opening night draws near, we find ourselves making those inevitable last-minute tweaks and adjustments, ensuring that every aspect is just right before the curtain goes up.

THECANCAN.COM: Tell us about the magic behind your partnership and how it's infused into Dolly!'s tunes.

Chris Pink: Dave, our mastermind behind the scenes, works his magic in the “laboratory,” as I like to call it, piecing together the foundations. There's a lot of back and forth during this process until we reach that “aha” moment, where we've nailed down the sound we're after. I believe that moment came with “I Will Survive” in this case. That's when we knew we had something special.

Dave Pezzner: Yeah. “I Will Survive” and the incorporation of the “Roxanne” bit dialed into that vibe. There's this essence of country music that surged in popularity, especially in the early '60s. It's a bit challenging to articulate, but it evokes a Nancy Sinatra-esque atmosphere—country with a twist, not quite the modern trucker country you hear today.

Chris and I have been collaborating for about six years now—time flies! We've probably done around 15 shows together. At this point, we're on the same wavelength creatively. Chris might say something that sounds like gibberish to others, but I completely understand what he means.

It works wonderfully because Chris isn't a micromanager. There's space to breathe creatively, allowing for the introduction of fresh ideas and experimentation. We're able to try new things, explore various options, and see where they take us.

It's a genuine collaborative effort when it comes to producing the music, and that's what makes it so fulfilling.

THECANCAN.COM: Dolly! is rumored to be this summer's hot spot for bachelorette parties and celebrations, can you let our audience know what to expect when they celebrate with us?

Chris Pink: My main goal is to leave people pleasantly surprised and excited about what they're hearing and experiencing at the show.

When people come in, they can expect our most audience-participatory show yet. While it's not mandatory, joining in on the musical elements and sing-alongs is encouraged. The goal is for everyone to leave feeling inspired, knowing that anyone can embody the spirit of Dolly.

Fae Pink: Quite simply put…this show is just fun! Our hope is that you can leave your troubles at the door. Laugh, sing, and clap along with us as we journey through this sparkly fantastical, fictional tale.

Dave Pezzner: I think that people should expect to hear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something PINK.

Dolly! is now showing through September 1st.