Ominous weather couldn’t dampen the fresh creative energy that sprang to life Friday evening at the Totem Pole Playhouse, where the summer theater opened its 75th anniversary season with Roger Bean’s wildly popular “The Marvelous Wonderettes” — an all-star jukebox musical comedy spanning a decade of 1950-60s classic pop music.
Originally produced in 1999 at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater as a one-act, the show was expanded into two acts that opened at the El Portal Forum Theatre in Los Angeles in 2006, winning 2007 Drama Critic Circle awards for Best Ensemble Performance and Choreography, as well as the 2007 LA Ovation Award for Best Musical.
It first appeared off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre in NYC the following year.
With upwards of 1,200 off-Broadway performances under its belt, the original “Marvelous Wonderettes” (there are several sequels with book by Dean) continues to capture audiences in regional and community theaters across the United States.
On Opening Night, Producing Artistic Director Ryan B. Gibbs delivered a warm welcome to patrons and a shout out to audience member Terry Benson, the son of the Playhouse’s founder.
And then the curtains opened to reveal Prom Night at Springfield High School in 1958.
A pastel–colored gymnasium is decorated for the occasion with bits of sparkle; a rich royal blue curtain/banner hangs upstage. Three steps suggest an entryway to other parts of the school building and allow multi-level staging.
Scenic designer James Fouchard and props designer Sam Little have added careful finishing touches — scattering pink hearts in the décor and on four standing microphones. A basketball hoop and sign reading “Go Gophers!” drives home the high school theme.
Lighting (designed by Gibbs and Sam Sims) meshes seamlessly with Kate Wecker and Nicholas Ryan’s sound. And Jennifer Reed’s well-executed choreography — mostly swing style in Act 1 and Motown style in Act 2 — is as quirky or complex as befits the moment.
Filling out the production team are Kia Armstrong as Production Manager, Austin Stiles as Technical Director and Hope Rohrbaugh as Stage Manager. And Carly Paige Lafferty is cast as the Wonderstudy.
As the lights rise on Act 1, a song/prom squad of four unique young women dressed in signature colors – Missy (played by Jessica Wagner) in tangerine, Suzy (Katie Sexton) in blue, Cindy Lou (Carolyn Anne Miller) in pink, and Betty Jean (Beth DeMichele) in green – take ownership of the stage in a dreamy opening performance of “Mr. Sandman.”
Taking creative license with a few lyrics, Dean has woven their stories through a tapestry of familiar tunes made popular by artists like the Chordettes, the Everly Brothers, Connie Francis, Linda Ronstadt, Cher, the 5th Dimension, the Platters, Dusty Springfield, Leslie Gore, the Shangri-Las, Aretha Franklin and many others.
Among them are favorite nostalgic tunes like “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “It’s My Party,” “It’s In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song),” and “Respect.”
With music direction by Jane Best, Gibbs’ attractive cast of equity actors rock the stage on a melodic journey that explores friendships, adolescent angst, jealousy, love, betrayal, forgiveness and coming of age. Much of Act 1 consists of ensemble performances.
The costumes (designed by Lisa Streett-Liebetrau assisted by Taylor Vanaman) aptly reflect the time’s visual culture, transitioning from crinoline-skirted formal wear and strappy heels in Act 1 to shorter A-Line dresses and white patent leather go-go boots 10 years later in Act 2.
Early on, Missy (played by Wagner), takes the lead in the narrative, explaining to prom-goers (the audience) why the Wonderettes have been called in to sub as entertainment. She announces the prom queen nominees and appears to be the big sister of the squad, but bares her vulnerability when she performs “Secret Love.”
Suzy (Sexton) teems with brittle, gum-chewing energy. Her solo performance in “Stupid Cupid” tugs on heartstrings as she awkwardly explains the song is for her date, who is running lights and, unseen, endearingly shines the spotlight on her.
Cindy Lou (Miller) appears ultra-confident and suave as she steals Betty Jean’s song and remains unperturbed when Betty Jean makes every attempt to sabotage her polished performance of “Allegheny Moon” in a hilarious bit of schtick.
And Betty Jean (DeMichele) kills every opportunity to insert a quirky comedic presence that occasionally slips into smooth slapstick. Things get even more intense when Betty Jean discovers Cindy Lou, who is supposed to be her best friend, has also been cheating with her boyfriend.
Ten years later, the young women return to perform at their high school reunion. Suzy appears to be MIA as the squad reprises “Mr. Sandman,” until she appears late and very pregnant. Individual sets of solos for the young women that address their heartaches, hopes, forgiveness and reconciliations heat up Act 2.
One facet of the beauty of music is its ability to touch and express human emotions that instantly conjure a full spectrum of feelings and trigger memories. The Wonderettes easily deliver such an experience with the power of impressive vocals and savvy overall stage presence.
While there are no individual standouts here — the show is a very even ensemble production under Gibbs’ expert direction — a moment among many that deserve mention is the hilarious “30 seconds” in Act 1 when the Wonderettes individually and simultaneously compete for Prom Queen by striking exaggerated poses, singing the same note over and over, blowing giant gum bubbles, and unsuccessfully trying to set up a fire baton routine.
And the audience interaction that includes pulling a teacher onstage in both acts also makes for great fun.
“The Marvelous Wonderettes” continues through June 8 at The Totem Pole Playhouse, Caledonia State Park, 9555 Golf Course Rd, Fayetteville. Performances are at 2 p.m. on June 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8; and 7:30 pm on June 4, 5, 7. All seats cost $55 excepting groups of 10 or more or juniors (age 5-15) and students (age 16-22). Call the box office, (717)-352-2154, ext. 1 for those discounts. For more information and to purchase general admission tickets online, visit https://totempoleplayhouse.org.
The Totem Pole Playhouse was recently named the 2025 Non-Profit of the Year by the Chamber of Gettysburg & Adams County to honor its milestone 75th anniversary and longstanding commitment to cultural enrichment in Adams County. Photo Courtesy of Totem Pole Playhouse.
