Original Release Date: 2000

I was drawn to this show not only because of the music, but I had also learned that Kim Huber was cast one of the Wonderettes.  Kim was featured in the play I saw the week before, "Side by Side by Sondheim," and the playbill credits stated she had the roll of Missy in "The Marvelous Wonderettes."

I was so thrilled with Kim's vocals from the prior show that I was eager to see her again.  Unfortunately, her under study (Kara Show) was filling the roll of Missy for the performance that I attended.  However, after just a few minutes of watching Kara, I realized I was not going to be disappointed.  Kara as Missy quickly became my favorite character in this fun and uplifting musical.

I listed the Chordettes' album above as a featured album only because it contains some of the songs featured in the play.  In fact, the first two opening numbers performed by The Wonderettes were "Mister Sandman" and "Lollipop."  They also performed other hits made famous by Lesley Gore such as "It's My Party," "You Don't Own Me," and "Maybe I Know" along with "Lipstick on Your Collar" and "Stupid Cupid" from Connie Frances.

The song the girls performed were creatively woven into a story line using the theme from each song. I had seen this done with the music of ABBA for "Mama Mia" in Las Vegas and it worked perfectly for "The Marvelous Wonderettes" as well.

Selection from the official press release:

"THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES is a cotton-candy colored, non-stop pop musical blast from the past! Featuring your favorite songs from the fifties and sixties, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet the Wonderettes - Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match! As we learn about their lives and loves, we are treated to the girls performing such classic 50's and 60's songs as "Lollipop," "Dream Lover," "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick on Your Collar," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," "It's My Party," "It's In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)" and so many more! You've never had this much fun at a prom and you will never forget THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES - a must-take musical trip down memory lane!

Featuring new songs and a revised book by Roger Bean, this all new production features an environmental staging which takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School Prom from the moment you enter the gymnasium. So bring your bobby socks and cardigan sweaters, we'll provide the fruit punch and Scooter Pies and the most "marvelous" musical theatre event of the season!"

Official Website: http://www.marvelouswonderettes.com/