The Marvelous Wonderettes: An entertaining pastiche of the past

The Marvelous Wonderettes

By Roger Bean

A Fundraiser for the Catholic Education Foundation of Ottawa at the Gladstone

Directed and choreographed by Aileen Szwarek

More of a musical revue than a fully-fledged musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes by Roger Bean is a light-hearted concoction that quickly evokes the 1950s and 60s through songs of the era.

The girl group entertaining at the Springfield High School on senior prom night 1958 runs through key pop songs of the era, interspersed with rivalry between the two “frenemies,” Cindy Lou and Betty Jean. Meanwhile, the other members of the singing foursome, organizer Missy and bubblehead Suzy, try their best to restore equilibrium, keep the entertainment on track and everyone on and off stage smiling.

In Act II, the 10-year reunion at the school, the pattern of song delivery is similar but the performers have updated their outfits from pastel prom gowns to strong colours and white go-go boots. The storyline also has a little more substance as the audience learns something of the Wonderettes’ history over the last decade. Playwright Bean has also created a closer connection between the numbers and the back stories through references to such characters as Billy Ray, the preacher’s son. And one of the biggest laughs in the show is the reaction to an unhappy Betty Jean announcing that it is her party…and she will cry if she wants to.

Director/choreographer Aileen Szwarek, musical director Marylen Milenkovic and the rest of the production team have done a fine job in evoking the period. The colour and design synchronization between Jenn Donnelly’s set and Judy Froome’s costumes in the second act is especially noteworthy.

In addition, while the music in this tribute to the popular songs and female performers of the two decades is the focal point of the show, the four performers deliver in offering as much character distinction as the slight script allows. Harmonizing beautifully and singing powerfully in their solo numbers, all four, particularly Jennifer Grimsey, are in good voice throughout,

The Marvelous Wonderettes, which completed its run on May 14, is an entertaining pastiche of the past.

 

Musical director: Marylen Milenkovic

Set: Jennifer Donnelly

Sound: Mike Heffernan

Lighting: Brian Cano

Costumes: Judy Froome

 

Cast:

Missy…………………………………………………….Jennifer Grimsey

Cindy Lou………………………………………………..Nicole Tishler

Suzy…………………………………………………..…Erin Connelly

Betty Jean………………………………………………..Stefania Wheelhouse

 

Band:

Keyboard………………………………………..Cheryl Jarvis Woods and Paul François

Guitar……………………………………………Neil Bateman

Bass guitar………………………………………Gabriel Leury

Drums……………………………………………Pierre Huneault

Flute, baritone, alto and tenor saxophone……….Matt Dawber