Theater Review: ‘Wonderettes’ Take A Musical Trip Down Memory Lane

 Come along with Missy, Betty Jean, Suzy and Cindy Lou as they sing their way back to the 1958 Springfield High School Prom in the Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre’s “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” The Broadway musical was written and created by Roger Bean, who uses the songs of the times to tell the story of these four high school girls.

 The four singers/actors will enthrall you as they harmonize and playfully bicker through myriad songs. We learn all about their lives and loves as they serenade us with a slew of classic ‘50s hits such as “Mr. Sandman,” “Lollipop,” “Stupid Cupid” and more. Then in Act 2, at their 10th high school reunion, we learn what happened in the decade since prom. Songs from the ‘60’s include “You Don’t Own Me,” ”Son of a Preacher Man,” “Rescue Me,” “Respect” and “Leader of the Pack.” These ladies can sing! 

 Missy (Madison Mayer), Betty Jean (Ameila Burbine), Suzy (Samantha Walker) and Cindy Lou (Francesca Jannello) are all adorable and captured our hearts on opening night. No matter what life has dealt them, these ladies will get through it together with a smile and a song! It’s hard to single out any one of these actors; all four are vivacious and sing with joyful energy. 

 The show was co-directed by musical director Robert Wilder and choreographer Suzette Hutchinson. This duo has the experience and know-how to put together a show, and to no one's surprise the result is just wonderful. 

 The songstresses are backed up by a fantastic band: Wilder on keyboard, Chris Santos on drums and Berke McKelvey on reeds and electric guitar. Hutchinson's choreography is inventive and fun, too. Robin McLaughlin’s clever costumes included colorful crinoline skirted dresses for Act 1 and mod ‘60s attire (black and white dresses with colored leather boots!) for the second act. Paula Duguay designed their era-appropriate hairstyles. The joy on the stage is infectious; the audience reacted with a standing ovation on opening night. 

 Guy Trudeau’s set design included a hilarious image of the school’s mascot, a chipmunk (credited to Lucas Trudeau) and also evoked the two decades perfectly. All of this was completed by Matt Kohler’s light and sound design and implemented by Quill Achino, sound operator, and Ollie Shaw, light operator. 

 The show has a concert feel to it and is about two hours long with a brief intermission. Get your tickets today!