Back in 2006, we saw a little show at the El Portal Theatre called “The Marvellous Wonderettes”. We were enthralled by it then, and so were audiences. Since then, the show went on to have a long run at the El Portal, went to New York, ran Off-Broadway for over a year… and eventually made its way back to Thousand Oaks, where it became the second production in Cabrillo Music Theatre’s 2010-2011 season. We saw it last night, and I’m pleased to say it remains marvellous, and the upsizing of the show hasn’t hurt it one bit.
Here’s how I summarized the story back in 2006: “The Marvelous Wonderettes is initially set in 1958, and bears many similiarites to Forever Plaid. Both musicals tell the stories of harmonizing groups: girl groups in Wonderettes, boy groups in Plaid. Both groups have distinct characters, and do popular songs from the era. Plaid, however, is clear fantasy: it focuses on a group that was permitted to come back after death for one last show. The plot in Wonderettes is much stronger. The show focues on the lives and loves of the Wonderettes: Cindy Lou (Kirsten Chandler*), Missy (Kim Huber*), Betty Jean (Julie Dixon Jackson*), and Suzy (Bets Malone*). Act I opens on the Wonderettes as they are the featured entertainment at the 1958 Springfield Prom. You learn about their lives, loves, and distinct personalities during the act. Act II is 10 years later, at the high school reunion. Here you learn how the story turned out, together with the power of friendship. You can get a good idea of the characters in the show by visiting the show’s MySpace account.”
Now, the cast has changed (of that 2006 cast, only Bets Malone was in this production). And who uses MySpace anymore (although the page is still there)? But the story is the same, and the girls still have the same distinct personalities. Further, the Cabrillo cast has just added experience with the Wonderettes, with Bets Malone as Suzy (Bets has been doing the role since the first workshops), Beth Malone as Betty Jean (Beth has been involved since the Hermosa Beach production, and played the role in the Off-Broadway production), Misty Cotton as Misty (Misty was also in the Off-Broadway production, as well as Laguna and Sacramento), and (substituting, alas, for Darcie Roberts), Leslie Spencer as Cindy Lou (Leslie has been in Wonderettes since Laguna Playhouse days, and was also in the North Hollywood production, as well as Off-Broadway). In short, these girls have been doing the roles for so long it is in their blood, and they just have fun with the roles and become the characters. Combine that with the fact they are all excellent actresses aside (all are regulars in the LA theatre community, and we have seen all them numerous times in too many other productions to name), and you have a show that is just, well, Marvellous. In other words, although these girls could do the show in their sleep, they put their heart and soul into their performances, and everyone has fun as a result.
[All actors are members of Actors Equity ]
My big worry when I heard about the Cabrillo production was how the upsizing would work. When we first saw the show, it was in a small 99-seat theatre. This time we were in the over-thousand seat Kavli. Guess what? It works. The set is larger and looks more like a high school gymnasium, thanks to the wonderful scenic design of Michael Carnahan (set), Bobby Pearce (costumes), and Mark Travis Hoyer (wigs/hair design) from the Musical Theatre West production. Roger Bean remains as the director (he created the show), and (combined with Bets Malone as Associate Director) has successfully retained the audience participation aspects, if not expanded them (with Betty Jean coming all the way up to the Mezzaine to interact with the audience during the prom queen vote, including climbing over railings). The larger venue also allows for significantly fancier lighting (I haven’t seen such a use of gobos in a while), building upon the Off-Broadway lighting design of Jeremy Pivnick, and for the original and off-Broadway choreographer of the show, Janet Miller, to expand her work. The musical side was also strong, with the off-Broadway musical director and orchestrator, Michael Borth, leading the five-player Cabrillo Music Theatre orchestra. In short: this is a show that works wherever it is done: small cabaret-size theatre or large Broadway house. With actors and a creative team like this, the superlatives are not enough.
The local team also deserves some kudos. Allie Roy returned as Production Stage Manager, assisted by Jessica Standifer, and they kept control of the craziness well. Lewis Wilkenfeld is Cabrillo’s Artistic Director. I also want to specifically mention someone who I normally don’t mention: Carole Nussbaum, executive director of Cabrillo. I hadn’t realized the extent of her work (other than her creative on-stage introductions of each show) until I read a great VC Star article on her, which highlighted all of her hard work at keeping Cabrillo solvent and successful. In today’s financial and fiscal environment, where theatres are failing left, center, and right, that’s a hard job, and Cabrillo, under Carole’s leadership, has figured out not only how to do it, but how to do good for the community at the same time.
This afternoon is the last performance of Wonderettes at Cabrillo. You can get tickets online, but you’ll likely do better just going to the box office before the show. You can get buy-one-get-one-free Mezzanine tickets by mentioning “VALENTINE” when you book.
Upcoming Theatre, Concerts, and Dance: Today brings the second show of the weekend: “Adding Machine: The Musical at The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble on February 13. Next weekend is another with two shows: “Rock of Ages at The Pantages Theatre on February 19, and “33 Variations at the Ahmanson Theatre for February 20. February closes with “Moonlight and Magnolias” at The Colony Theatre on February 26. March is also busy. It begins with a Noel Paul Stookey concert at McCabes on March 4. March 5 is the MRJ Regional Man of the Year dinner at TBH. The first two weekends of March are also the Spring Musical, “Evita”, at Van Nuys High School; we’re likely going on Saturday, March 12. Sunday, March 13 is “The Cradle Will Rock” at the Blank Theatre. The weekend of March 19 is currently open, but that probably won’t last for long. Lastly, March 26 brings “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Repertory East. April will bring the Renaissance Faire, “The Producers” at Cabrillo Music Theatre, “The All Night Strut” at the Colony Theatre, and (pending ticketing) Brian Stokes Mitchell at the new Valley Performing Arts Center.