LANA MAE HOPKINS
Proprietress of the Wishy Washy Washateria. She dresses in flashy clothing, and lives her life through colorful Southern colloquialisms. Cheerful, big-hearted, a real diamond-in-the-rough. Mezzo-alto with strong belt.
KATIE LANE
New worker at the Washateria. Prim and proper, with a touch of neurosis thrown in for good measure. Katie loosens up quite a bit after “the pills kick in.” Mezzo-Soprano with strong belt.
It is important to note that both characters have a very wide vocal range. Many of these modern pop-country hits have verses in the lower-alto range, and then burst into the upper stratosphere for the chorus. Imagine if Ethel Merman & Shania Twain had a love child...
A small (but not too small) town in Tennessee. Except for the Prologue, the entire play takes place in the Wishy Washy Washateria. The time is present day.
Setting:
THE PROLOGUE is performed in front of a Show Curtain, with representations of both KATIE’s kitchen and LANA MAE’s kitchen. The Show Curtain can then be used as an Act Curtain to mask the redecorating of the laundromat at intermission.
THE WISHY-WASHY WASHATERIA is well kept and clean, and has a marvelous home-spun charm for a laundromat. If we didn’t know it was the 21st century, we might think we were in a time capsule from the 1950s. SR is the entrance, with a large-paned window looking out onto the street. Along the far SL wall are neat bundles of laundry in bags, each in it’s own cubby-hole. There is a counter mid-stage left for sorting and folding laundry. Behind the counter is a washing basin/sink; above (and running the length of the laundromat) are numerous laundry lines for hang-drying specialty items. At the US end of the counter is something resembling a register, a tin box, and a coffee can filled with clothespins. On the SL wall is a telephone with a long extension cord. There is a fan near the ceiling, always on and blowing (with ribbons). DSR is an ironing station with a board that folds up and out of the way, as well as space for various ironing supplies.
Along the back wall are matching stacked machines, both washing & drying. (All will be used during the show, though not fully practical.) One of the large dryers has a handwritten sign on the front: “STiLL BRokeN!” Signs throughout the store read: “There’s nothing ‘Wishy-Washy’ about our service!!!” “No self-service: Drop-off only!” “Let US do your dirty work!” “Fluff & Fold Services provided with a smile or your money back” “Visit us online at www.www.com.” On the window facing out: “Wishy Washy Washateria. ‘Full Service Laundry.’”
The show is orchestrated for a five-piece combo.
(Piano/Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Guitar/Banjo,
Fiddle/Strings). If either actress can play guitar, it is
highly encouraged to have them play live in act two.
The actresses do play various percussive instruments
(tambourine, mouth harp, washboards, etc.) throughout.
Fully-Orchestrated Tracks are also available for rental.
All songs Used By Permission.
All Rights Reserved.