"As composers and comediennes, writing songs and stage comedy about the challenges of modern day life has not only been cathartic but [also] has kept us relevant and plugged in," says Sally Fingerett, who is the only remaining original member of the the all-female musical comedy troupe Four Bitchin' Babes. "Our desire to be authentic and current has allowed us to continue doing this thing we love. It's been our passion to view contemporary life through our own wacky viewfinder and report back through music and humor."
Stacey Jones, associate vice chancellor for campus and community events at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, is excited to finally be bringing the Babes to the Blue Lion tonight. He's been a fan for a while.
FAQ
Four Bitchin’ Babes
WHEN — 7:30 p.m. today
WHERE — The Blue Lion at UAFS Downtown, 101 N. 2nd St. in Fort Smith
COST — $25
INFO — 788-7300
"I first became acquainted with the group three or four years ago, when I was seeing their videos and performances, and I started then to try and figure out a way to bring them here," he says. "This is going to be a very exciting show for us."
The group, which celebrates its 25th year of touring this year, was founded in 1990 by folk singer Christine Lavin, and has released nearly a dozen albums in that span of time. Over the years, singer/songwriters have come and gone, but despite the coming and going, the quartet has continuously been known for tight harmonies and witty lyrics that celebrate the ups and downs of everyday life.
Their honest and humorous perspective -- and fearlessness -- led The Boston Globe to call them the "traveling Oprah Winfreys."
"The way they pay tribute to the hectic lives of men and women is a lot of fun," says Jones, who adds that, despite the sassy title of their group, "their show is never 'blue'."
"We realized that there was never a good reason to 'go blue'," says Fingerett. "There's a gazillion crazy things to sing about, and we do not need to dip into anything crass, off-color or preachy. When folks buy a ticket to be entertained, we know what our job is. And we love our job."
With 25 years of songwriting under their belts, "their job" includes staying topical. Part of their success is their ability to stay relevant over the years.
"We've tried resurrecting old songs, but you can't put the peel back on an orange, and we've had to just let them go," Fingerett says. "Songs like 'Cyber Space,' when the internet was brand new; 'Musak', which no longer exists; and 'TV Talk Show,' which, looking back, was the first wave of reality TV, especially with DNA testing for paternity!
"Still, there's always new and ridiculous events that provide us with ideas. No shortage here!"
Those ideas include topics that both men and women will find hilarious and poignant, promises Jones.
"They poke fun at both men and women," he says. "I just think it's a great evening for couples, women by themselves, men by themselves -- it's not just a women's evening out, it's an everybody evening out."
"'Don't you want to know what we gals are talking about at our 'Ladies' Lunch,' or at the bar while you're off playing darts?'" answers Fingerett when asked what she would say to a man who saw the name of their show and dismissed it as "only for women." "'Here's your chance to not only take a peek but earn mega-points with your wife or gal pal by attending a great night of music and laughs, where four (really decked out) women present a very man-friendly show. No bashing whatsoever. We love our 'Man-Babes,' and we've always had men at our shows. "
Fingerett says she's grateful that the act has stayed so successful for over two decades now.
"Once, after a show, a woman said, 'You ladies are like girlfriends to me now. I feel as though I've just had a great therapy session.' What's amazing is that we've released nine cast recordings over the years. After a show, people buy them, and as we're autographing the CDs, fans who have followed us all these years will introduce us to their grown kids.
"[We] fully comprehend how lucky we are that this show just hits people the right way and [that] we've been allowed to entertain them for all of these years."
NAN What's Up on 03/03/2017