The Doyle And Debbie Show at Royal George Theater Review - A Country Duo Hits the Big City

The heartland of America sows its fields to the tunes of Willie and Merle and Hank. Not so in the hustle and bustle of Chicago, where smoky blues halls pop to top of mind when thinking of the city’s contributions to music. Yet there is a thriving country music scene even here in the city of wind. The Doyle and Debbie show do not represent this scene, but they sure do put on a heck of a show. The Royal George Theater’s cabaret room hosts the critically acclaimed Nashville comedy revue The Doyle and Debbie Show. Featuring hilarious original songs and not at all subtle dark humor, Doyle and Debbie is an experience that is equal parts homage to country music and satirical performance art.

Set designer Kevin Depinet painstakingly transformed the cabaret room at the Royal George into a bona fide honky-tonk bar, replete with old playbills and rusty gas station signs. The set was so authentic and immersive it was a true surprise when the show actually started. The show consists of three characters, featuring creator and star Bruce Arnston as “would be washed up if he ever made it” country singer Doyle Mayfield, plotting his triumphant return to stardom as he unveils his third Debbie, a desperate single mother and aspiring starlet played by Jennifer Littleton. Perennial lackey and sideman Buddy, played by Matthew Carlton, acts both as the duo’s “band” and as Doyle’s friend through thick and thin, “mostly thin” as he quips during part of the show.

With Arnston’s pedigree as composer and writer for several of Jim Varney’s Ernest vehicles, it was no surprise at all Doyle and Debbie would be replete with hilarious, albeit affected characters. Doyle is literally battling his demons as he attempts to capture a glimpse of what is obviously a decades gone dream. Debbie has a beautiful voice but a hard luck story peppered with bad decisions, and though she may be hardened by a life of drama, she still has a desperate hope for something better. And poor Buddy, a loyal to a fault assistant who must stand by Doyle despite how far Doyle drives off the rails, still maintains a simple-minded and cheery attitude throughout the play. The interplay between the characters is dark and complex, yet is revealed through exceptionally funny between song banter.

Speaking of songs, whether or not you are a fan of country, Doyle and Debbie has some highly entertaining music. Earnestly delivered, pitch perfect, and consistently funny, Arnston deftly skirts the line between satire and sincerity. Songs like “Snowbanks of Life”, a beautiful duet with a lilting draw, has a chorus that begins “I walk through blizzards of heartache for you, but nothing was ever enough/I peed your name in the snowbanks of life, while you washed your hands of my love” Sincere enough to be in a real country song, the song quickly degrades into the silly: “now this swollen prostate, done forced me to change/ now I’m out chasing women with much shorter names”. Songs like “Blue Stretch Pants”, “Whine Whine Twang Twang”, and “I Ain’t No Homo (But Man You Sure Look Good To Me)” provide side splitting laughs throughout the performance.

The Doyle and Debbie Show is a must see for theatergoers and music lovers. Be aware though, you must have a healthy sense of humor and a strong desire to laugh, even when you feel it may be inappropriate. And for Arnston and Littleton that’s exactly the point. Grab three fingers of rye and pull up a stool, Doyle and Debbie are about to change your mind about country music.

The Doyle and Debbie Show is in limited engagement at the Royal George Theater. For tickets and showtimes contact the Royal George Box Office at 1641 N Halsted, by phone at 312-988-9000, through Ticketmaster.com or www.doyleanddebbie.com