A cotton-candy colored, non-stop pop musical blast from the past! Featuring your favorite songs from the ’50s and ’60s.
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!
Musical Arrangements by Brian William Baker; Orchestrations by Michael Borth. Vocal Arrangements by Roger Bean and Brian William Baker.
Originally produced for the New York Stage by David Elzer, Roger Bean and Peter Schneider.
The Marvelous Wonderettes is presented through special arrangement with Steele Spring Productions.
Generously sponsored by Comcast and Essex Printing.
Cast in alphabetical order:
Paige Neal * (Betty Jean)
Paige Neal is thrilled to be making her second appearance at Ivoryton Playhouse after appearing in this summer’s production of The Producers! She is a 2009 graduate of Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. Some of her favorite roles include singing as part of the choral ensemble for Kerrigan-Lowdermilk This is Our Tour, Lucinda in “Into the Woods, Sister Mary Hubert in Nunsense, Sour Kangaroo in Seussical, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Dolly in Hello, Dolly, and Marta in Company. In addition to music theatre, Paige also enjoys playing the French Horn, singing karaoke, and watching reality television. Paige, originally a native of Pittsburgh, PA, now currently resides in New York City.
Danielle Erin Rhodes * (Missy)
Danielle Erin Rhodes is thrilled to be returning to Ivoryton after playing the zany piano playing “Vi Petty” last summer in The Buddy Holly Story. Danielle has appeared in the films Rocky Must Die, Trapped, Coffee and a Bite, and Interviews. She is an accomplished pianist and singer who composes music as a passion. Danielle is a proud member Actor’s Equity Association. Credits include: GreaseEuropean Tour (Rizzo); Oliver! 1st national tour, Cameron Mackintosh (Nancy u/s performed); The Marvelous Wonderettes, Maine State Music Theatre (Suzy); Annie Maine State Music Theatre (Star To Be); Christmas From Dublin Tour The Three Irish Tenors (Onstage Keyboards); 2010 MACC Awards guest soloist, BB Kings.
Melissa Robinette * (Cindy Lou)
Not only is Melissa thrilled to be making her Connecticut début but she is also excited that her Grandparents are flying all the way from Southern California to witness it! Melissa understudied Suzy, Betty Jean and Cindy Lou in the original Off Broadway Production of The Marvleous Wonderettes and played Betty Jean in the Mason Street Warehouse production. She traveled to 5 of the world continents with Anita Mann Productions/Holland America Cruise Line where she met her real life Son of a Preacher Man. A few other favorites: Shirley in The Buddy Holly Story (Riverside Theatre), Charity in Sweet Charity (numerous theaters), Leslie Gore in Beehive (numerous theaters) and Marty in Grease (Fulton Opera House)… Basically if it’s set it the 1950-60s she’s done the show. Likes: farmers markets, cats, plants, gluten free baking, ugly luggage, heels over 3 inches tall and awkward public moments. She is also a huge book/Kindle worm. Proud Member, Councillor and Future President of Actors Equity Association. MelissaRobinette.com
Alanna Wilson * (Suzy)
Alanna is thrilled to be back at the Ivoryton Playhouse after playing Mary in How the Other Half Loves this spring. Past credits include: Cold as Ice, starring Oksana Baiul (Gateway Playhouse), How the Other Half Loves(Northern Stage), and several shows with NYC based company aMios. Favorite roles: Little Red (Into the Woods), Winnifred (Once Upon a Mattress), Crissy (Hair) and April (Company). TV/Film: 30 Rock, Law and Order, My Sassy Girl. www.alannawilson.com/
Directed by: John DeNicola
Stage Manager: TRick Jones *
Musical Director: John DeNicola
Set Design: Cully Long
Lighting Design: Tate Burmeister
Costume Design: Julia Bowers
Wig and Hair Design: Joel Silvestro
* member of Actors Equity
PRESS RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
Meet The Marvelous Wonderettes!
Paige Neal as Betty Jean
It’s 1958 and we’re going to the Prom! The Marvelous Wonderettes By Roger Bean
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.
Danielle Erin Rhodes as Missy
THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES is a cotton-candy colored, non-stop pop musical blast from the past! Featuring your favorite songs from the ’50s and ’60s,
John DeNicola, Ivoryton’s resident Musical Director, puts on his Director’s hat for this show. “This is just too much fun” says DeNicola “The music is infectious and the cast is amazing. It is hard for me to stay sitting at the piano – I want to be up and dancing!” Cast includes Danielle Rhodes* who was here last summer in The Buddy Holly Story, the just-married Alanna Wilson* who performed here in April in How The Other Half Loves, Paige Neal* who was just here in The Producers and Melissa Robinette* will be making her Ivoryton debut. Melissa was the understudy for the original off Broadway production and performed the role of Betty Jean in the Mason Street Warehouse production. The set for this production is designed by Cully Long, costumes by Julia Bowers and lights by Tate R. Burmeister.
Melissa Robinette as Cindy Lou
The Marvelous Wonderettes opens on September 28th and runs thru October 16th for 3 weeks.
Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.
Alanna Wilson as Suzy
Members of the press are welcome at any performance.
Please call ahead for tickets.
*member of Actors Equity
The Marvelous Wonderettes opens September 28 - October 16. Don't miss it!