The Marvelous Wonderettes by Roger Bean evolved its way to off Broadway in 2008, featuring 50s/60/s hits including Mr. Sandman, Stupid Cupid, Secret Love,It’s My Party, Leader of the Pack, Respect and many more, each woven into a surprisingly complex plot for a juke-box-musical. I have some extra love for the show, since it brings back my pre-teeny and teeny-bopper days. (I resisted the urge to sing along, but did mouth a good portion of the lyrics, truth be told…)
First there’s the 1958 prom, where the Wonderettes (Carin McEvoy, Rachael Raymer, Nicole Martin and Kate Snyder) are called upon to fill in for the boys glee club whose lead singer, Billy Ray, has been suspended for smoking. Act II features the 10-year class reunion in 1968, where we find out how the mostly invisible but still influential boyfriends we learned about in Act I (including Billy Ray) have worked out… or not.
The entire cast is Prom-Queen-Worthy, each developing a distinct character, in this quartet of friends/rivals, executing beautiful harmonies and a lot of stylized girl-group choreography. Kudos to director/choreographer Kelly Stuible-Clark, and to the stamina, energy, and voices of these four divas, almost continually on stage and singing — backed up by Seth Burk’s great little combo with Seth on keyboard, Yoshi Fukagawa on guitar, Ethan Lucas on drums, and Will Cicola on reeds. (Linger for the post show play-out for some great saxophone.)
BYO beverage of choice and snacks/pop can be taken into the theatre. (Maybe picnic before the show? The park is beautiful, and free-admittance if you let the gatekeeper know you are going to the play. This nostalgic, fun blast from the past continues at 8 Thurs-Sat and 2pm Sundays. Tickets online or at the door.
http://www.overtheledge.org