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Regional Reviews: Florida - Southern The Marvelous Wonderettes Also see John's reviews of Peter and the Starcatcher and Murder Ballad
On the surface, this show may seem like just another jukebox musical revue filled with nostalgic hits from the '50s and '60s. Though using jukebox and radio hits of the 1950s, The Marvelous Wonderettes is not a revue, as the characters are fully developed with personalities and relationships. We are provided real characters capable of standing on their own without the aid of the songs in the show. All four actress-singers are given moments of acting and solo moments of song to showcase their talents; and the sweeter songs of the '50s in the first act, alongside the gutsier songs of the '60s in the second act, give each a chance to show stylist versatility and character growth. The first act takes place at the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where a four-girl group called "The Wonderettes"—Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy—have consented to be the evening's entertainment. Together they sing crowd-pleasing songs such as "Lollipop," "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Allegheny Moon," and "Sincerely." Some of the details of the relationships between the girls unfold as Betty Jean (Julie Kleiner) angrily sings "Lipstick on Your Collar" when she suspects her boyfriend of kissing her best friend Cindy Lou (Amy Miller Brennan). The two former best friends continue to antagonize each other as the more mature Missy (Abby Perkins) tries to maintain order, and a bubbly Suzy (Lindsey Corey) exuberantly flirts from on stage with her unseen new boyfriend who is running the lights for their show. The second act takes us back to Springfield High School for their 10-year high school reunion. The year is 1968, and the hair, clothes and attitude of the girls have changed. The women ponder the devotion of their mates in "It's in His Kiss," and their need for freedom in "You Don't Own Me." Missy laments her boyfriend's fear of commitment in "Wedding Bell Blues," and Betty Jean laments love is general in "That's When the Tears Start" and "It's My Party." A once seemingly prissier Cindy Lou reveals her fondness for bad boys in "Leader of the Pack" and "Son of a Preacher Man." A very pregnant and emotional Missy seeks what she is missing from her husband (her boyfriend from the first act-again running lights) in "Respect" and "Rescue Me." Simple costuming and period hairstyles work well for this production, especially the nearly comical mile high hair of the '60s. While simple is good, the scenic design is a bit too simplistic, and comes off as beneath the usual standards of Broward Center productions. Overall, the characters work well in this more intimate space, but could have been brought out more with stronger direction. Corey is closest in achieving how big her character needs to be played, and is always enjoyable to watch. Kleiner does a bit too much mugging in the first act, but nails her second act portrayal of an older/wiser Betty Jean. One might want a more prim and maternal Missy and a slightly spoiled Cindy Lou in the first act to make the second act stronger. There is a smooth ensemble feel to this production despite some difficulty in blending at times due to vibratos not matching. This is particularly noticeable in the opening number which seems to have voices in clashing keys. This feel-good production of Marvelous Wonderettes is undeniably charming. It is just in need of stronger stand-out moments matching the characters' identifying moments. The Marvelous Wonderettes was originally written by Roger Bean for the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, where he also created the musicals The Andrews Brothers, Winter Wonderettes, Don't Touch That Dial!, Route 66, That's Amore, Life Could Be a Dream, Honky Tonk Laundry and Why Do Fools Fall In Love?. The Marvelous Wonderettes features musical arrangements by Brian William Baker, orchestrations by Michael Borth, and vocal arrangements by Roger Bean and Brian William Baker. In 2007 The Marvelous Wonderettes received the Los Angeles Ovations Award for Best Musical Intimate Theatre. For more information on the musical you may go to www.marvelouswonderettes.com. The Marvelous Wonderettes appears through November 23, 2014, in the Abdo New River Room of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For tickets or other information, contact them by phone at 954-462-0222 or online at www.browardcenter.org. Presentations at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, the Department of State, the Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Support is also contributed by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc... The Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment Consortium is a cultural partnership between the Performing Arts Center Authority, the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Florida Grand Opera, Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and The Historic Stranahan House Museum. It is supported by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Visitors Bureau. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts houses the Au-Rene Theater, the Amaturo Theatre, and the Abdo New River Room, and has affiliated venues at the Parker Playhouse, the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, and the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Cast: Crew: *Designates a member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
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