'Honky Tonk' a fun and musical romp

 By ARLINE GREER
 Sun theater critic 

 Prime among the multitude of choice scenes in "Honky Tonk Angels," Ted Swindley's musical at the Hippodrome State Theatre, is a deliciously funny appearance by LaVon Fisher, who swoops to the stage on roller skates. As Sue Ellen, a sexy secretary, who has fled L.A. for a career in country music in (where else?) Nashville, Fisher pulls out all the stops singing "Cornell Crawford." The song may not be the most popular among the 32 you'll hear in the course of this versatile, manic show, but Fisher, jumping on roller skates, twirling batons, swivelling a neck hoop and waving sparklers, might just challenge Olympic ice skater Elvis Stoyko. She's a hoot, a very talented hoot. 

 The same could be said of the other two actresses who perform in this fast-moving show, whose songs and scenes flow seamlessly, one into the other with Lauren Caldwell neatly directing the changes of pace. Jessie Janet Richards plays Angela, a southern housewife who leaves her husband and kids to make the Nashville trip. Christine E. Parke is Angela, the coal miner's daughter who's had enough of dear old dad and joins the other women to sing at Nashville's The Hillbilly Heaven. 

 Using a skeletal plot, Swindley put together a regular who's who of country music. Fans of the genre will recognize every song performed by the trio. Not that one has to be a country music fan to get carried away. 

 The mood is set immediately with J. Jeffrey Guice's festive set, all wood with wagon-wheel chandeliers and brightly colored globes hung throughout the theater. The band, playing back-up to the singers, has energy, talent and a no-nonsense style integral to setting the show's many moods. 

 Richards' performance of "Stand By Your Man" catches Tammy Wynette's every inflection. (Richards also gives a wicked interpretation of Jeannie C. Riley's "Harper Valley PTA.") 

 Among Fisher's many show-stopping contributions are her stomping-good renditions of "These Boots Are Made for Walking" and "Cleopatra, Queen of Denial." 

 Parke performs the show's gentler songs, but she does have a huge, dramatic moment with "Fancy" in the production's second act. 

 The threesome blend voices harmoniously in a variety of songs. They take turns involving the audience. A lot of spontaneous clapping and foot-tapping goes on during the show, along with equally spontaneous singing by audiences who can't resist joining in for "I'll Fly Away" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." 

 Marilyn A. Wall's costumes for the actresses run the gamut from sexy to country to homey. Sara Morsey has choreographed the songs with grace and humor. 

 Robert P. Robins' lighting is just about perfect for the three heavenly women who light up the stage in the Hippodrome's "Honky Tonk Angels."