St. Croix Off Broadway - Righteous! The Story of The Righteous Brothers

“My husband and I were there for the second performance and TOTALLY enjoyed the whole show. At one time I was so involved that I actually cried. Great work by all and especially by your husband. Congratulations!”

Jan Koenst

“As a couple who has experienced many theatrical performances in the Twin Cities area, we have enjoyed all of the performances at St. Croix Off Broadway Dinner Theatre over the years and "Righteous!" is the best, absolutely fabulous!! No doubt this will become a hit across the U.S. ”

Deb and Jeff Davis
Prescott, WI

“I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the performance last Saturday April 14 at the Hudson House. I was with a group of 11 from New Richmond, WI and we all loved it! Every performer was incredibly talented and the format used to tell the story and to showcase the music was just wonderful. So, congratulations to all for a fantastic show! Thank you all so very much for a great musical theatre evening!”

Barb Arnst

“The Righteous! musical show was excellent, nothing less. We just found out that there was NO lip syncing. We're flabbergasted. We had to express our delight with all the performers; you just hate to single out anyone, but we'd certainly be remiss not to give special mention to Joe Keith and Greg Lund for their fabulous singing of all these great Righteous Brothers songs - they were awesome, and for a few short hours, we could step back in time and celebrate our memories through this beautiful music. Dan Rooney, as the senior Bill Medley, took us behind the scenes and gave a captivating narration of the journey of The Righteous Brothers. Thanks to the entire cast and staff for a very entertaining evening! ”

Mary and Keith Kock
Cottage Grove, MN

“Righteous! The Story of The Righteous Brothers,” a musical based on the lives of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, is playing at St. Croix Off Broadway Dinner Theatre located at the Hudson House Grand Hotel.

This world premiere pays tribute to the last lone Righteous Brother by telling the story – the whole story – of their four-decade career. If you loved their music, this unprecedented inside look at their lives, and reliving some of their favorite concerts, is something you won’t want to miss.

Just as Bill Medley collaborated with playwright and director Jim Zimmerman to bring the script to life over a year’s time, the character Bill Medley in the play collaborates with a young aspiring journalist as she searches for a big story to get her break.

We watch an older Medley, played by Dan Rooney, share stories about two young white boys breaking out into black R&B. At first he carefully sidesteps questions that could open up old wounds from struggles in The Righteous Brothers’ tenuous relationship. As Medley relives what really happened in his mind, actors take the stage as a younger Medley and Hatfield. We watch them in the recording studio, performing on tour, and at nightclubs in Las Vegas and in New York on New Year’s Eve 1968.

Young Medley is played by Greg Lund, while Bobby Hatfield is played by St. Croix Off Broadway long time favorite Joe Keith. Their mix of bass and tenor mixes as deliciously as the original duet of Medley and Hatfield, and you can tell singing is just as meaningful to them. Medley said “Singing was like taking a motorcycle road trip through your soul.” And that’s something you will see on stage in Hudson. It takes 10 actors and 4 musicians to pull off a potpourri of scenes over 40 years, and nearly 20 hits like “Little Latin Lupe Lu,” “Justine,” and “Unchained Melody.” Music producers, their wives, doctors, band members, and even an appearance by Ol’ Blue Eyes and Elvis made the cut. Fun reoccurring roles come from The Righteous Brothers’ backup singers. Their matching dresses and big personalities in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s were great each time they stepped out.

“Righteous!” is like a Righteous Brothers museum brought to life. And as Bill Medley himself said after reading the final script, “It’s like a drama with music.” In two hours you’ll discover what true survivalists The Righteous Brothers were, which only makes their music that much better.

What to order? (This is one of the few dinner theatres in the nation providing wait staff-served dinner after all.) You get your choice of sirloin steak, chicken kiev, pork tenderloin, gulf shrimp, or oriental vegetable stir fry. I’m a fan of the steak, but always make sure to save room for dessert.

“Righteous! The Story of The Righteous Brothers,” a musical based on the lives of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, at St. Croix Off Broadway Dinner Theatre located at the Hudson House Grand Hotel in Hudson, WI runs Fridays and Saturday evenings through May 11. The price, $52, includes dinner; coffee, pop, tea, or milk; show; tip; and tax. There are three noon lunch matinees March 31, April 14, and May 12 for $39. Get your tickets by calling 715-386-2394 ext. 333 or order them online at www.stcroixoffbroadway.com.