‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’ Are Marvelous
![“The Marvelous Wonderettes” preform at their 10-year high school class reunion. From left are Cindy Lou (Leigh Ellen Jones), Suzy (Jennifer Dow), Missy (Kira Lace Hawkins) and on the far right is Betty Jean (Sarah Jackson).](https://www.inkfreenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/1-252x300.jpg)
“The Marvelous Wonderettes” preform at their 10-year high school class reunion. From left are Cindy Lou (Leigh Ellen Jones), Suzy (Jennifer Dow), Missy (Kira Lace Hawkins) and on the far right is Betty Jean (Sarah Jackson).
They are marvelous — extremely good or pleasing; splendid. That’s the way I would describe the four women who make up “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” now on stage at Warsaw’s Wagon Wheel Theatre.
Theatre-goers take a step back in time to 1958 and the Springfield High School’s prom.
When the boys’ glee club can’t perform because one of them has been suspended, the Wonderettes are called into action and present the entertainment for the event. Cindy Lou (Leigh Ellen Jones), Missy (Kira Lace Hawkins), Betty Jean (Sarah Jackson) and Suzy (Jennifer Dow) are “The Marvelous Wonderettes” and they keep the audience in stitches and entertained with their actions and music during the entire production. You can’t help but pick a favorite.
Cindy Lou and Betty Jean are best friends but they are in love with the same boy. Problems! The scuffle most of the night. Cindy Lou is the school’s naughty beauty who likes to kiss and tell while Betty Jean provides a lot of comedy with her actions and the fact she is unlucky-in-love. Suzy has a special guy named Richie and she’s always chewing gum. Missy is shy, she’s the only one who wears glasses and she has a crush on one of her teachers.
Each solos songs fitting to her lifestyle. There is no star in this show. There are four! Their voices blend perfectly and their solos are the best. Each appears on stage in a bright-colored dress with full skirt and crinoline underneath as was the style in the late 1950s. Hairstyles were simple, as worn by high school girls of this time frame.
Anyone who remembers the 1950s is delighted to hear them sing such classic songs as ”Mr. Sandman,” “Allegheny Moon,” “Stupid Cupid” and “Secret Love.”
All four have been nominated for prom queen. The audience in section two gets to vote. It’s fun, it’s entertaining and no, I’m not going to tell you who becomes queen. You will have to see the show to find out.
During the show the girls and young women talk to Mr. Lee and Mrs. Fearsome, from the high school staff. Both are members of the audience. Mrs. Fearsome counts the ballots. Mr. Lee ends up on stage.
Fast forward to 1968. The class is having a 10-year reunion and The Marvelous Wonderettes are back on stage. They sing such songs as “It’s My Party,” “Son of a Preacher Man” and “Leader of the Pack.” The young women now sport sheath-style dresses, white go-go boots and big hair styles.
The punch bowl has been replaced by the wine bottle but much is still the same, well, almost.
Missy is still in love with her teacher, Mr. Lee, who has been taking her for pizza for several years and proposes in a most unusual way. Missy, too, is now a teacher and accepts his proposal.
Suzy is married to Richie and is expecting a child. Richie, it seems, has problems staying loyal.
Betty Jean is working in a hardware. She is married but her husband moved out. She, however, is still in love with him.
Cindy Lou is now Cynthia. After high school she moved to California but came back home and fell in love with the preacher’s son.
The show continues through Aug. 23. For more information call (574) 267-8041 or online at wwwwagonwheeltheatre.org.