The Catskill Chronicle

Review by Carol Montana, photos provided

ELLENVILLE, NY – What fun! What joy! What great music!

Fresh from Off-Broadway, and playing now through August 15 at the Shadowland Theatre in Ellenville in a regional premiere, The Marvelous Wonderettes is an evening that combines the music of the 1950s and 60s with an adorable story about an all-girl group performing as a last minute fill-in for their senior prom.

Dressed in cotton candy-colored dresses, with distinct personalities to match, Betty-Jean played by Rebecca Kasper, Cindy-Lou portrayed by Katie Donohue, Missy performed by Serena Brook and Suzy played by Melissa Powell, perform the songs we all sang and danced to when we were younger – hits such as Lollipop, Dream Lover, Stupid Cupid, It’s My Party, It’s In His Kiss and others.

As the Springfield High School prom progresses, we learn more about the personalities of each of the girls, their boyfriends, the jealousies between two of the girls and more. Oh, and by the way, the songs help tell the story as written and created by Roger Bean. Think Lipstick on Your Collar, Lucky Lips, Secret Love and others. Additionally, the songs come complete with the body language and motions used by most of the groups from the time period.

It’s so much fun being privy to the intimate secrets of the four characters, and there’s even audience participation, and a talent show.

Act II continues the story at the 10-year reunion where The Marvelous Wonderettes are again performing, and one-by-one, we find out what happened with each girl and how her life turned out. Again, with songs such as Wedding Bell Blues, You Don’t Own Me, It’s My Party, Leader of the Pack and others, the entertainment helps to tell the story.

All four actresses have powerful voices and are accompanied by an unseen quartet of fine musicians including Philip Rainbow Hale (who is also the Musical Director) and Paul Duffy, who both play keyboards, Gregory Dinger on guitar, and Paul Nestor on drums.

The production crew is equally talented. Scenic Designer/Technical Director Drew Francis has created a wonderful school gymnasium of faux cinder blocks and a colorful stage; Costume Designer Holly Lewis Budd has created delightful frilly dresses in Act I. And her 1970s “sock-it-to-me” outfits in Act II are reminiscent of Judy Carne’s outfits on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.

But the real star of the show is the four-part harmony displayed by the incredibly talented actresses, who do an equally great job in their solos.

Thanks to the direction and choreography of Michael LaFleur, even if you’re too shy to dance in the aisles, The Marvelous Wonderettes will have you swaying in your seats, and singing in your heart.

The Marvelous Wonderettes plays through August 15 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. For reservations call 845-647-5511 or visit the Shadowland Theatre’s Web site.