Minnesota acoustic duo The Frye portrays a vintage pop-country act on the brink of a breakup in “The Best of Hank and Rita: A Barroom Operetta in One Act,”

The show opens with audio of Rita’s breakup letter, written earlier that day and left at the hotel for Hank to find after the show. After too much heartbreak, disillusion and humiliation, the letter states, she’s leaving but giving herself “one last good time” on the stage — the only place the two have ever worked well.

Following an opening-act comedian struggling to connect, the duo takes the stage upbeat and polished per usual. Rita is resolved to have one last good time together, Hank is oblivious to the real state of their relationship. When a fan makes an unexpected request, the show veers off the set list into deeper cuts from the duo’s past — songs chronicling pain, lust, revenge, and, ultimately, hope.

The story and songs are written by Joe Tougas, drawing on two decades as a regional arts and entertainment journalist and editor who regularly covered bands on the smaller-market circuit that had peaked in popularity decades prior.

Tougas performs as Hank along with Ann Rosenquist Fee as Rita. The show also features Madison, Wis. standup comedian Dan Vierck as Danny Vee, Hank and Rita’s opening act.

Since opening in Mankato in summer of 2015, the show has garnered great reviews and sold out performances in Mankato, New Ulm and Minneapolis’ Bryant-Lake Bowl Theater. Music journalist Jim Walsh calls it “Funny, sad, smart and really original.”

Crossings line for tickets:
http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/concertpages/bestofhankandrita.html