Review: ASF's ‘Marvelous Wonderettes’ lives up to its title

“The Marvelous Wonderettes” is a warm-hearted, good-time musical of exquisite simplicity.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival is known for its often huge and talented casts, elaborate sets and lightning-fast scene changes. “The Marvelous Wonderettes” features four performers in what basically amounts to two scenes performed on one set.

Yet it works superbly.

At first, the production seems like a beautifully performed, albeit somewhat-cheesy, musical revue. The quartet, The Wonderettes, uh, make that Marvelous Wonderettes, perform at their 1958 high school prom. But during the songs, the audience slowly picks up on the ambitions and dreams that fuel the four women and occasionally haunt their friendship.

The major conflict involves Cindy Lou (Meadow Nguy), the attractive, selfish prom queen (well, she thinks she is) who has been secretly stepping out with the boyfriend of Betty Jean (Alanna Saunders), her funny, spunky ex-best friend who is determined to relinquish neither boyfriend nor lead vocals to her friend-turned-rival.

Missy (Andrea Dotto) is a loveable nerd whose school spirit is only surpassed by her crush on one of the school’s teachers, Mr. Lee (played by a different audience member each night in one of the funniest, audience interaction scenes seen at ASF). Suzy (Leanne Smith) is friendly, down-to-earth and believes she already has everything she wants in life in Ritchie, her high school boyfriend.

But the emotional payoff is the show’s second act, when on the same stage, with a Welcome Back Class of ‘58 sign added, the four women return to perform at their 10-year high school reunion, giving them the opportunity to sing a ‘60s hit parade.

The cast sings and dances so well (Director Melissa Rain Anderson shines not just as a director but for her choreography) that the production probably could have succeeded simply as a review, but it doesn’t have to.

Roger Bean, who created the off-Broadway hit, cleverly and seamlessly weaves together songs from the ‘50s at the prom and then songs of the ‘60s at the reunion to help tell the characters’ stories. Surprisingly for women who are asked to play often cartoon-like characters, the exceptional cast manages to give some of these stories asurprising punch. Believe the title — the Wonderettes are marvelous.

As for the production, it is neither overly sophisticated nor overly complicated. It’s simply divine.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: “The Marvelous Wonderettes”

WHERE: ASF’s Festival Stage

WHEN: Performances through June 26

TICKETS: Log on to www.asf.net for tickets and exact times

OTHER INFORMATION: Recommended for ages 13 and older

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Review: ASF's ‘Marvelous Wonderettes’ lives up to its title