Meredith Villarial, Maria Fallouh, and Shannon McCarthy in The Marvelous Wonderettes
The Marvelous Wonderettes, directed by Ryan Scoble, is the closing production of the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre’s 2024 season, and what a sendoff! Featuring gorgeous vocals, fun choreography, and enough nostalgia to give you a toothache, this production is a must-see for those who grew up in the '50s and '60s, or anyone who’s a fan of those eras of music.
The premise, however, couldn’t be thinner if it tried. Act One takes place in a high school gymnasium during the senior prom of 1958. The boys’ choir is otherwise indisposed, so the evening’s entertainment is provided by the Marvelous Wonderettes, a group composed of friends Jean (Mikayla Keyes), Cindy Lou (Maria Fallouh), Missy (Shannon McCarthy), and Suzy (Meredith Villarrial). Their personalities are distinct enough, but the book by Roger Bean never gives us much of a reason to grow attached to any of them. One is shy, another an attention hog, the third an aspiring attention hog, and the fourth ... uh … has an offstage boyfriend who runs the lights for the prom.
Obviously, there isn’t much plot to speak of. But there is a lot of angst. After all, these are high school girls! They’re all either cheating on their boyfriends (with the other girls’ boyfriends), or are getting cheated on, or a combination of the two. And then there’s an intermission which jumps the story ahead to the seniors’ 10-year reunion, placing us firmly in 1968. If you think that sounds like an interesting setup in which we can find out how the years have weathered these characters and taught them a new appreciation of life, you’d be on the same page as me. And if you’re disappointed to hear that that doesn’t happen, we’re still in the same camp! If anything, this could be an intended (if morbid) commentary on how very little changes over time. Because at 10 ten-year reunion, one of the Wonderettes is very pregnant, while the rest are all in a combination of cheating, getting cheated on, and trying to get married. The more things change, the more they stay the same, and all that.
It's probably unfair of me to lambaste the show for not being what I wish it were. Because as it stands, this is honestly a really fun and enjoyable musical. The group performs some of the more popular hits of the mid-20th century, among them “Mr. Sandman,” “Lollipop,” “You Don’t Own Me,” “It’s My Party,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and so many more. If you already enjoy any of these tunes, or are a fan of their respective genres, you'll have a blast. I was smiling most of the two hours I was there ... and that was even without a plot! This is thanks in large part to the cast, all of whom are staggering singers. It’s also thanks to Scoble, who smartly stages the show so that things avoid growing stagnant too soon.
Most of the songs feature some bit that aids the performance and staging. For instance, “Stupid Cupid” is performed by one of the Wonderettes as an ode to her boyfriend in the crowd. But halfway through the performance, she spots her boyfriend hitting on another girl, and thus, an endearingly lovey song turns into anything but. And there’s “Teacher’s Pet,” which is sung at an adult in the crowd that one of the characters has a crush on. Given the context of these being teenagers and the adult being … well, an adult, it doesn’t read as cute as it’s intended to be. But unfortunate historical realities aside, there’s a lot to like here.
Beyond the stellar cast and smart direction, there’s also some wonderful music direction by Gabriella Petrarca. Designer Montana Carolson costumes are delightfully period, complete with absurdly short skirts that serve many a sight gag. But my favorite technical element was Steven House's set design. It looks like a diorama you would see in a museum, where the rose-tinted goggles are firmly on. In conjunction with some archways that add a forced perspective, the set creates a really neat effect where it almost feels like you’re peering into a really large music box and the Wonderettes are the dancing figurines.
I can’t recall the last time I heard an audience as vocal as this one was in terms of their enjoyment. Patrons on Friday were so invested that there were audible and loud gasps when the Wonderettes would slightly slight one another. Phrases that triggered these responses included “You bih…” (as in “bitch,” but without the ending “ch” sound), the word “damn,” and a truly offensive jaw dropper: “Mind your own beeswax.”
My biggest complaint is that the show is probably about 15 minutes too long. You can almost feel the exact moment that the already thin framing device gives way and the book and production both say “All rright, let’s wrap this up.” All dialogue between the songs stops and the show just plows through the last few numbers like you’re listening to a playlist. They’re still brilliantly sung and performed; it’s just a matter of feeling like the book itself shrugs at the audience. But overall, The Marvelous Wonderettes is like an extra-large theatrical sundae. There’s not much nutritional value, there’s enough of it to give you a slight brain freeze, but it’s so delicious – and the weather’s been so miserable – that you don’t even mind.
The Marvelous Wonderettes runs at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre (311 Riverview Drive, Clinton IA) through August 4, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)242-6760 and visiting ClintonShowboat.org.
