‘50s and ‘60s Classics Fuel High-energy ‘Wonderettes’

"The Marvelous Wonderettes," a fast-paced, high-energy jukebox musical featuring over 30 classic '50s and '60s hits, will kick off the summer season at Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre starting May 23 and running through June 7.

 The Wonderettes are Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, high school best pals who wind up singing and performing at their 1958 Springfield High School Prom. A last-minute problem with the prom entertainers gives them a chance to show off their stuff with '50s hits like "Lollipop," "Dream Lover," and "Lipstick on Your Collar." 

 Act II opens 10 years later, as the Wonderettes reunite to take the stage and perform at their 10-year reunion, where we learn, serenaded by '60s hits like "It's my Party," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" and "It's in His Kiss," that no matter what life throws their way, they will conquer it together

 The multiple award-winning show, which was revived off Broadway in 2001, opened in 1999 in Milwaukee and has grown from its original one-act format to its current, fully realized two-act version.

 Jenn Pina, the producing artistic director of Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre (CCTC/HJT), describes the new show as "joyful." There is so much going on, she said, "it's a slice of joy that is much appreciated in this difficult time."

 Pina especially appreciates the "friendship, tenacity and strength that pulls the friends through," in this show, she added. "And there are those incredible songs!"

 "When you walk into the theater you are walking into the prom," she said, adding "it's a joy of a production." Bob Wilder will be directing along with co-director Suzette Hutchinson, who also serves as choreographer and stage manager. Wilder is also music director and plays keyboard along with Chris Santos on drums and Berke McKelvey on reeds and electric guitar. 

 Pina said that the joy spread to the team as well. 

"The entire team is having fun with it." The cast is especially marvelous, she added. The Wonderettes are played by Madison Mayer as Missy, Amelia Burbine as Betty Jean, Samantha Walter as Suzy and Francesca Jannello as Cindy Lou. 

"There's real girl power there," Pina stressed, "accompanied by tight four-part harmony." 

 Madison Mayer is returning to CCTC/HJT for The Wonderettes. Mayer, who played Missy in the 2018 and 2019 productions of this show, can't wait to do it again. "I jumped at the opportunity. Missy is fun to portray, a type-A highly organized person. I can relate to that! She is spunky and fun and in control until she is excited."

 This is the first CCTC/HJT musical for Burbine, and she is delighted to be part of the cast. She is relatively new to Cape theater, she said recently, and decided to jump into the CCTC/HJT community. During her audition, "Betty Jean was not the character I had in mind," she said. "But I can see why they cast me and I couldn't be happier," she said. She described her younger self as sometimes "loud and enthusiastic," adding with a laugh, "I can see how similar we are!"

 The set design is by Guy Trudeaux, with costume design by Robin Laughlin. Matt Kohler heads up light and sound design and also does set construction with Fiona Pina Parker. Shiloh Pabst handles props.

 For more information and tickets go to www.capecodtheatrecompany.org or the CCTC/HJT Box Office at 508-432-2002.