The Marvelous Wonderettes
Off Broadway at the Kirk Theatre - Theatre Row
Take a trip back in time to Springfield High School, class of 1958 where the Marvelous Wonderette’s are stand ins at their “Marvelous Dreams” Super Senior Prom. This is a spunky little musical review, that’s filled with bright colors, cheery costumes and sweet voices that will make it hard for you not to sing along.
The four Wonderettes are made up of Missy (Christina Bianco), Suzy (Laura Woyasz, ‘Wonder’-study), Cindy Lou (Jenna Leigh Green) and Betty Jean (Sally Schwab). The girls are dressed in eye catching rainbow colored dresses with matching accessories (Bobby Pearce). We are greeted with “Mr. Sandman” in harmony. Next comes “Lollipop” and each girl, of course, has a lollipop to match her outfit. The Wonderettes got their big break to perform at their Super Senior Prom because the Glee Club star, Billy got suspended. One by one each takes a turn singing a song. This show is loaded with 50’s favorites Like “Dream”, “Dream Lover”, “Mr. Lee”, and each goes with a story of romance, jealousies, broken hearts and lots of fun. The program has ballots inside so that the audience can participate in choosing the “Queen of Your Dreams” Prom Queen. Suzy won on this night, but it could possibly change at each show.
It’s 10 years later when the second act begins and the Marvelous Wonderettes are back for the “Heatwave” 10 Year Reunion. They’ve got new songs to sing, new shiny costumes, bigger hair and some have bigger bellies. That’s right, someone is pregnant. Again they tell the stories of their love, engagements, marriage and breakups in song. This time it's the 60’s and we hear the likes of “It’s In His Kiss”, “Wedding Bell Blues”, “I Only Want To Be With You”, “It’s My Party", and the list goes on. In all there are 20 smash hits.
These ladies really do an excellent job with the music, and bring the house down with their comedy antics. Many of the names are new to me, with the exception of Christina Bianco, who has been impressing the Broadway world for years with her marvelous tones, and she does not disappoint here. I think the next stop for these gals should be Feinstein’s/54 Below. How about “The Marvelous Wonderettes sing Rodgers & Hammerstein”? Check it out before it closes on September 4th. For tickets and more information visit http://www.theatrerow.org/ and check out my website for available discounts here –ThisbroadSway 6/9/16