The Doyle and Debbie Show

First review in from Austin June 18th, 2009

Here's what AustinOnStage had to say about us after our first week at the Long Center...   REVIEW: The Doyle and Debbie Show  By Brian Alford    Walking into the Rollins Studio Theater for The Doyle and Debbie Show was quite a shock - completely different from the first time I saw a show in the space.  Entering the transformed black box theatre, you are immediately transported to the Station Inn in Nashville, where Doyle and Debbie stage their weekly performances.  Tables and chairs set up with the red and white checker table cloths - reminiscent of Always, Patsy Cline - and neon beer signs on the walls giving you the absolute feel of a good ol' fashioned beer joint somewhere just off the highway.   Needless to say, I felt right at home.     The Doyle and Debbie Show is something to be experienced.  It is akin to George and Tammy doing a night at the Grand Ol' Opry - only on mescaline.      The two leads - Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton - put their all into this performance.  The costumes are tacky, and the emotion they put into this show makes it only more over the top and hilarious. Their voices are phenomenal, and the stage presence and audience interaction proves that these two have found their niche.  It is no surprise that they have an immense cult following in Nashville and their shows sell out repeatedly.      The storyline itself is quite simple, albeit hilarious, but the real meat of the show is in the singing and the interaction between Doyle and his new Debbie - this is Debbie #3, we learn.   We meet them first as they prepare to go onstage.  Their stagehand and one man band introduces the duo (be sure you keep your eye on him during the show!) and they take the stage to perform their songs, including "I Ain't No Homo," "Fat Women in Trailers," and "When You're Screwin' Other Women (Think of Me)."       Everything takes place in real time, so you are basically experiencing their show with a glimpse of what is going on backstage. The duo seemed to thrive off of the audience's energy and amped up their performance as we gave back more in laughs and applause.      As Doyle and Debbie, Arntson and Littleton are superb.  Their comedic timing, over-the-top expressions, and interaction with each other is truly special.  Arntson has a smooth voice and can yodel and scat with the best of them, and Littleton is fantastic in her delivery of "ABCs of Love."  You can almost hear Patsy Cline channeling her voice through this vessel of hilarity.     The Doyle and Debbie Show played a one-weekend run at the The Long Center, but it will be back for two more stretches in July at the Rollins Stage. The show runs about 2 hours, with a fifteen minute intermission.  Drinks are allowed in the theater for this performance, and I don't think Doyle and Debbie would have it any other way. “The Doyle and Debbie Show” performs at the Long Center on the following dates and times: July 9th and 10th at 8 p.m.; July 11 at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.; July 12 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; July 16the and 17th at 8 p.m.; July 18th at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.; and July 19th at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.     Tickets are available now at the 3M Box Office at The Long Center,  by phone at (512) 474-LONG (5664), and online at www.TheLongCenter.org.  For more information on “The Doyle and Debbie Show”, visit the official website at www.DoyleAndDebbie.com. << Back