San Jose Rep Presents THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES

Meet the The Marvelous Wonderettes - Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match - follow them from their 1958 Springfield High School prom to their ten year reunion! These girls tell us about their lives and loves as they perform beautifully arranged high-octane and soulful renditions of pop favorites from the fifties and sixties. These memorable songs include "Mr. Sandman," "Dream Lover," "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick on Your Collar," "It's In His Kiss," "Son Of A Preacher Man," and "RESPECT."

The Marvelous Wonderettes is a high-energy musical blast from the past! Performances begin June 15 and continue through June 27, 2010. Press opening night is June 16 at 8:00pm. Tickets go on sale on March 1, 2010 at the San Jose Rep Box Office at 101 Paseo de San Antonio or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 408.367.7255.

"I was so pleased to be able to get most of the New York and original cast of the Wonderettes, along with the director and creator of the show, Roger Bean, to agree to come to San Jose for a few weeks this summer and restage this joyous celebration of the great "girl groups" of the 50's and 60's," said Artistic Director Rick Lombardo. "Some of the era's finest songs are represented in this show, which is non-stop great music."

A cotton candy-colored non-stop pop musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes, featuring the iconic sounds of the fifties and sixties, have "shoop-de-dooed" their way to record-setting ticket sales and awards during their sensational run in Los Angeles. They received the 2007 Los Angeles Ovation Award for Best Musical and were also nominated for the 2009 Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical.

After a record-setting and award-winning run in Los Angeles, The Marvelous Wonderettes captivated New York and opened to rave reviews. The New York Times called the show "effervescent, irresistible and an utter charm," while Variety called it "charming and funny" with "four gifted comedians." The Associated Press raved, "You won't find a more delightful girl group. These irrepressible, bubbly Wonderettes are singing their hearts out in this charming, fast-paced musical. Beautiful singing, well-honed timing, often poignant and highly entertaining!" Backstage wrote, "Don't buy a ticket - buy two! It's a show you'll want to see twice! A laugh-a-minute songfest!"

Roger Bean (Creator/Director) directed the original Milwaukee Rep, Laguna Playhouse and Los Angeles productions of The Marvelous Wonderettes. For the Los Angeles production, MR. Bean received a Los Angeles Ovation Award nomination for Best Director of a Musical. Other musicals and revues created by MR. Bean, commissioned and premiered at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, include The Andrews Brothers (Musical Theatre West, Fullerton CLO, Cabaret Oldtown, Cabrillo Music Theatre); Route 66 (Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Moonlight Avo Playhouse, Invisible Theatre, Seven Angels, Springer Opera House); Honky Tonk
Laundry (Centerstage Spokane, Des Moines Playhouse, Oregon Cabaret, Art Station Theatre); Why Do Fools Fall In Love? (Rocky Mountain Repertory, Venice Little Theatre); Life Could Be A Dream (Majestic Theatre, Texas Family Musicals); and the holiday sequel to this show: Winter Wonderettes (Delaware Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse, Water Tower Theatre, GreatPlains Theatre Festival, El Portal Theatre). MR. Bean has had the great pleasure of directing for the Delaware Theatre Co., Laguna Playhouse, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Northlight Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Madison Rep, Florida Studio, Oregon Cabaret, Skylight Opera, and numerous stages in-between.

Music direction for The Marvelous Wonderettes is by Dolores Duran-Cefalu. She collaborated with San Jose Rep on Making Tracks, Thunder Knocking on the Door and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She has performed with San Francisco's Teatro Zinzanni and for San Francisco productions of The Producers, Hairspray, Mamma Mia! and White Christmas. Duran-Cefalu was awarded the Kennedy Center Meritorious Achievement Award for orchestral work in Cole.

About the Rep:
San Jose Rep is the premier non-profit, professional theatre company in the South Bay, presenting six main stage productions each year. As a major contributor to South Bay's cultural community for 29 years, the Rep's mission is to engage, entertain and inspire people. The Rep produces innovative theatrical performances that offer fresh perspectives into the human condition, educational programs that promote life-long learning, and outreach initiatives that benefit our diverse community. For more information, visit www.SJRep.com

 

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