By Aaron Krause
If you dream of reliving your high school prom, Pompano Players can help you approximate the experience. The new theater company invites audiences to attend the Springfield High School Class of 1958 prom — the setting for the 1999 jukebox musical The Marvellous Wonderettes, by Roger Bean.
Audience members play prom attendees in this lively, colorful, and believable production, running one more weekend at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. But if you’re shy, don’t worry: at the reviewed performance, the titular singers didn’t interact much with the audience — though you might receive a ballot to vote for Prom Queen..
As you may know, a jukebox musical uses pre-existing songs to tell a story. The best of these shows aren’t haphazardly arranged concerts; they neatly integrate familiar tunes into the context of the plot. In The Marvellous Wonderettes, pop hits from the 1950s and 1960s serve as vehicles to tell the story of four young women asked to entertain their classmates at their own senior prom.
Originally, the boys in the Springfield High Glee Club were slated to perform. But when their lead singer, Billy Ray Patton, was suspended for smoking (“Tobacco can kill and make you ill,” the girls remind us), their teacher, Mr. Lee, tapped the Wonderettes to fill in.
Early on, the girls note that the prom’s theme is “Marvelous Dreams.” Fittingly, they open with “Mr. Sandman,” the 1954 hit by The Chordettes. Smiling brightly, the quartet bounces through the number as pinkish-red lighting bathes the stage, setting a playful, romantic, and nostalgic tone for the evening.
Keeping with the dream motif, the group delivers a sunny medley of “All I Have to Do Is Dream” and “Dream Lover.” The dream songs fit neatly into the show’s slender plot, but some other early numbers feel more forced. For instance, the girls launch into the late-1950s tune “Lollipop” without any clear motivation. Still, “Lollipop” transitions neatly into “Sugartime,” and the performers make the sequence entertaining by strumming oversized lollipop props like guitars. Toward the end of the song, the backs of the props spell out “LOVE” — a clever visual touch.
The sweet time you’ll likely have at this prom isn’t limited to the upbeat music. We also get to know the Wonderettes themselves, including the rivalry between feisty tomboy Betty Jean and class beauty Cindy Lou. At one point, Cindy Lou seizes the chance to steal Betty Jean’s song, “Allegheny Moon.” When Betty Jean realizes she’s been duped, she tries her darndest to ruin Cindy Lou’s performance — but Cindy Lou manages to recover with confidence and charm.
In Pompano Players’ production, Amber Arevalo steps into Cindy Lou’s shoes, while Samara Shavrick portrays Betty Jean. The two make their rivalry more playful than severe, though a few tense moments remind us that their friendship has limits. Rounding out the cast, Abbey Alder brings buoyant energy to Suzy, the group’s happy-go-lucky member, while Jessica Perry commands the stage as Missy, the bossy but endearing overachiever.
The evening doesn’t end with the Class of 1958’s prom. After the intermission, the musical group returns — but this time, it’s 10 years later for their school reunion. Perhaps to recapture the energy of their prom a decade ago, they sing a reprise of “Mr. Sandman.” The actors don’t attempt to look or sound older, although we notice at least one physical change in a character: Suzy’s swollen belly reveals she’s pregnant. A pregnancy is often cause for joy, but Suzy is self-conscious of her body and dealing with problems in her personal life.
As an audience member, you’re also in for at least one romantic surprise. At one point during Act II, a paper fortune teller belonging to Missy goes missing — and when it reappears, attached is an engagement ring. Fittingly, Missy then breaks into song with an emotionally heartfelt rendition of “With This Ring.”
Meanwhile, it’s Betty Jean’s birthday. Oddly, the group doesn’t sing “Happy Birthday” to her. Instead, she updates the audience on her life since high school graduation. Betty Jean has been working at the neighborhood hardware store with her husband — the boy who used to cheat on her with Cindy Lou. Unfortunately, she and her husband are enduring a rocky relationship. Lamenting, Betty Jean sings “I Only Want to Be With You.”
Cindy Lou tries to comfort her, and she apologizes as best she can before sharing what’s been happening in her own life. Cindy Lou tried her luck in Hollywood but didn’t get very far. She moved back to Springfield and fell in love with none other than Billy Ray Patton — the glee club lead singer whose suspension a decade ago opened the door for The Marvellous Wonderettes to perform. Cindy Lou sings “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Leader of the Pack,” and “Maybe.” Her performances lead Betty Jean to open her arms for an embrace with Cindy Lou, tears spilling as the friends reconnect.
Overall, the performers move us with heartfelt renditions of the songs. They’re playful, upbeat, and their bright energy is contagious, rejuvenating the audience. A live band adeptly accompanies the performers without drowning out the singing.
The band consists of musical director/pianist Elijah Gee, guitarist Aaron Stang, drummer Julie Jacobs, Andres Aybar on bass, and Rob Ercolano on reeds.
The performers strut their stuff on a stage with a simple scenic design. At the beginning, four microphones stand ready for use, and signs clearly place us at the “Super Senior Prom 1958.” Offstage, we notice period details such as a chalkboard (remember those?). An American flag injects the proceedings with a touch of patriotism, although the girls don’t sing any patriotic songs.
The performers wear costumes befitting their personalities. Specifically, Missy’s orange or apricot outfit reflects her sensible and slightly mousy personality; Suzy’s signature color of blue matches her cheerfulness; Betty Jean’s green mirrors her down-to-earth and even envious nature; while Cindy Lou’s pink suggests her femininity.
The direction is generally strong, though not flawless. At times, the lead singer of a song stands upstage while the others are downstage. It might make sense to highlight the lead singer by placing them closer to the audience. On a more optimistic note, the performers sometimes come into the audience — a directorial choice that personalizes the production and strengthens the bond between performers and audience members.
In the end, The Marvellous Wonderettes offers a fun, nostalgic trip into the past. Bean’s creation brims with charm and energy, and the performers’ playful style translates into a thoroughly joyful escape — something we could all use these days.
The Marvellous Wonderettes plays through Oct. 19 at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd. in Pompano Beach. Remaining showtimes are 7 p.m. Oct. 17, 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 18, and 2 p.m. Oct. 19. Rnning time about two hours, including a 15-minute intermission. Tickets: Call (954) 545-7800 or visit pompanobeacharts.org. Tickets start at $55.
A PaperStreet Web Design
