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"YOU WON'T FIND A MORE DELIGHTFUL GIRL
GROUP! These irrepressible, bubblv Wonderettes are
singing their hearts out in this charming, fast-paced
musical. Beautiful singing, well-honed timing, often
poignant and highly entertaining!"
--The Associated Press
“Don’t buy a ticket – buy
two! It’s a show you’ll want to see twice!” --
Back Stage
Synopsis:
The Marvelous Wonderettes
takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we
meet the Wonderettes, four girls with hopes and dreams as
big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives
and loves, we are treated to the girls performing such
classic ‘50s and ‘60s songs as “Lollipop,”
“Dream
Lover,” “Stupid
Cupid,” “Lipstick
On Your Collar,” “Hold
Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me,” “It’s
My Party” “Son
of a Preacher Man” and over 20
other classic hits.
THE STORY
Turns out that the boys from the glee club were supposed to
perform, but the lead singer, Billy Ray Patton, was
suspended from school for smoking. Mr. Lee, the Song leader,
called on The Marvelous Wonderettes to take their place.
This cotton-candy colored musical tells the story of those
four high school gals performing as a singing group at their
senior prom, in which each lady is up for prom queen as
well.
The
first half of the production takes place in 1958, the second
half a decade later. The girls sing popular songs of both
periods, tell their stories, complain about prom rituals,
and eventually growing up. They bicker about boyfriends,
marriages, and possible divorces. Cindy Lou steals Betty
Jean’s song, Betty Jean’s boyfriend has been cheating on her
with Cindy Lou, Suzy is dating the guy running lights for
the prom and Missy reveals her secret love is Mr. Lee, the
Song leader. In addition, since each girl is up for Prom
Queen, the rules committee has decided that all the girls
will perform their talents simultaneously and only have 30
seconds in which to perform.
And this is only Act 1.
Act two finds the women ten
years later at their high school reunion, where they are
asked to sing again. Missy is getting married to Mr. Lee,
Suzy married the lighting guy,
and Betty Jean is still ticked with Cindy Lou. Though life
hasn't worked out as well as any of them hoped, they still
have their dreams, and hope remains intact. It’s time we all
learn some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. It’s the GLEE
of the 50’s and 60’s with four
cotton-candy costumed performers taking us on a swinging
journey of those conflicting decades
THE CAST AND CREW
Cindy Lou (Sarah
Carey - GYPSY) is the pretty and snobby girl; Missy
(Jenn Gavel - Legoland Show Manager, first time appearance
at TWH) is the bookish one with horn-rimmed glasses; Suzy
(Jessica Eastridge - PSC‘s PIPPIN) is the sweet girl next
door, while Betty Jean (Lauren West from FULL MONTY) is the
boisterous and unrefined one. Scott Cook director of CATS,
has returned to TWH to direct and choreograph this
confectionary musical. Jim Beck, Director of Theatre at
Florida Southern is designing the gym set while Thom Altman
handles the lighting design. Philip King is musical director
with Costumes by Camille McClellan. Tamesia Irwin stage
manages the production.
There’s
enough showbiz razzmatazz and musical showmanship in this
endearing juke-box musical for anyone to enjoy, plus one
audience member will be presented with a special prize.
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