THEATER PREVIEW: Hank Williams tribute hits Playhouse

Country music is not the first thing one thinks of when attending the Laguna Playhouse, but “Always Patsy Cline” proved to be a big summer hit a few seasons ago, so are you ready for some Hank Williams?

Playhouse audiences will get a healthy taste of country starting Tuesday when “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” settles in for four days of previews and a Nov. 17 through Dec. 16 engagement.

The musical tribute traces the brief but illustrious career of the country music star who gave the world such hit singles as “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”

Show creator Randal Myler “” who’ll be directing the Laguna production “” was nominated for a Tony award in 2003 for “Hank Williams: Lost Highway.” Myler also has written theatrical pieces about Janis Joplin, the Mamas and the Papas, and John Denver.

Myler wrote the script with actor Mark Harelik, who’s performed several times at South Coast Repertory.

“Over the past 15 years, the Laguna Playhouse has become one of the West Coast’s producers of small and mid-sized musicals, and ‘Hank Williams: Lost Highway’ continues that tradition,” said Andrew Barnicle, the theater’s artistic director.

Van Zeiler portrayed Williams in previous productions in San Diego, Nashville, New York and Arizona. He also played the title role in “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” in London and U.S. tours.

Others in the Laguna cast will be Charles Bevel, Margaret Bowman, Stephen G. Anthony, Myk Watford, Marc Baczynski, Mike Regan, Russ Weaver, Stephanie Cozart and Regan Southard.

The production recounts Williams’ often lonely journey from backward Alabama obscurity to superstardom at the Grand Ole Opry. He died on New Year’s Eve 1952.

His name lives on in the form of his son, Hank Williams Jr., who kicks off the Monday Night Football festivities by asking fans “Are you ready for some football?”

“Hank Williams: Lost Highway” will be staged at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, with special Sunday evening shows at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 9.

Call the playhouse at (949) 497-2787 for additional information.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Pilot.