This juke box musical is well aimed at an audience well
versed in having used juke boxes, the prolific substitutes for live
performances before and throughout the '50s. That's where most of the songs get
pulled from to replicate young groups' smooth harmonies and exaggerated
gestures in the first part of The Marvelous Wonderettes. Harried, the titled
young women must replace male Crooning Crabcakes who haven't shown up in
Springfield High's gym to headline 1958 Senior Prom entertainment. That's on
top of running for prom queen! Small wonder the construction paper hearts
decorating sides of the stage and each standup mic aren't bleeding. Despite
internal jealousies, though, the gal group's sounds are sweet as
"Lollipop, Lollipop"s. Why not? They all "Dream, Dream,
Dream" of love and romance. Kyle Ennis Turoff's Betty Jean whips them into
shape, and they keep synchronized. (An on-stage projection of the job done
off-stage by director Larry Raben?) Though Heather Kopp as sexy Cindy Lou is
obviously Betty Jean's rival, Missy (Sarah Farnham) is shy. But she has a
"Secret Love" about whom she very strongly sings. It's not
stressed-out Suzy's beau, even though she (Samantha Barrett) is obviously
worried about her boyfriend's love.
Ten years later, at their high school Reunion, the
Wonderettes perform an encore with some old favorites but also '60s new hits.
They're in coordinated pastel chiffon dresses over miniskirted sheaths now, and
bees would come to rest less easily in their hair-dos. But Suzy, though married
and pregnant, is still doubtful of her man's fidelity. Missy has landed the guy
she sang about; he's a surprise. The other gals definitely have made up with
each other and, by the group's "Thank You and Goodnight" time, reveal
how they've made out. Meanwhile, there's one nostalgic number after another.
And these include "Leader of the Pack" and a good sampling of Motown
music! Happily, it's live, live, live, from four fine musicians directed by
John Visser.
Audiences seem to like participating, posing onstage and
dancing off during the two hours after dinner at the Golden Apple.