Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES

Alabama Shakespeare Festival presents the hit Off-Broadway musical The Wonderful Wonderettes, May possibly 24 – June 26 on the Pageant Phase.

The nostalgic jukebox musical comedy transports audiences again to the 1958 Springfield Significant Faculty promenade. When the enjoyment for the night unexpectedly cancels, The Wonderful Wonderettes – Cindy Lou, Missy, Betty Jean and Suzy – eagerly phase into the spotlight with a medley of ’50s songs and dance.

The women of all ages get the group back again collectively in 1968 for their 10-year superior college reunion, in which they have the moment once again been asked to accomplish. They recount a ten years of really like, decline and friendship via toe-tapping ’60s numbers.

The demonstrate is directed and choreographed by Melissa Rain Anderson (The Enjoy That Goes Mistaken, The Wolves, The Cocoanuts). Anderson returns to ASF right after directing the 2019 vacation manufacturing All Is Quiet: The Christmas Truce of 1914.

Anderson has directed productions featuring the Wonderettes considering the fact that 2010 – 12 productions in whole. She says the exhibit is a testomony to the toughness of friendship involving women.

“I generally discover anything new when I appear again to this demonstrate,” mentioned Anderson, “but at the coronary heart of the piece is their like and support for each and every other. They constantly come via for 1 another.”

The clearly show pays homage to well known tunes of the 1950s and ’60s, with songs and choreography impressed by The Supremes, The Chordettes, and Aretha Franklin. Older generations will reminisce with their favorite tunes, and more youthful generations will realize timeless classics, which includes “Mr. Sandman,” “Lollipop” and “It is really My Party.”

“The display is a like-letter to individuals many years of music,” stated Anderson.

The restricted-knit ensemble features Andrea Dotto (Bandstand on Broadway, Chita Rivera Award nominee) as teacher’s pet Missy. Meadow Nguy (Interstellar Cinderella Off-Broadway, Annie at ASF) portrays the spotlight-thieving Cindy Lou.

The quartet is accomplished by Alanna Saunders (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child on Broadway) as lovesick Betty Jean. Leanne Smith (Hairspray, Ragtime, The Wonderful Wonderettes) is gum-chewing, happy-go-fortunate Suzy.

Katie Emerson (Xanadu, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan) and Caitlin Witty (Jesus Christ Celebrity, Sister Act, Swingtime Canteen) sign up for the solid as swings.

Audiences will step again in time to a decked-out substantial college gymnasium, created by scenic designer Adam Koch with associate scenic designer Steven Royal. Viewers participation plays a function as they grow to be associates of the class of 1958, producing each and every overall performance an unforgettable, a single-of-a-form expertise.

Other associates of the generation workforce consist of assistant director Rachael Logue, tunes director Joshua Zecher-Ross, lighting designer Rob Denton, audio designer Lindsay Jones, stage manager Tory Broyles, and creation assistants Delaney Dunster and Cassandra Whitt.

Ticket rates get started at $25. To obtain, connect with 334.271.5353, take a look at the ASF Box Office (Monday – Saturday, doors open up at 12:00 p.m.), or obtain on the internet at ASF.web. Night performances start out at 7:00 p.m. matinees begin at 2:00 p.m.

Alabama Shakespeare Competition, the State’s theater, builds neighborhood by engaging, entertaining, and inspiring persons with transformative theatrical performances and powerful educational and group programs. From its founding in a significant college auditorium in Anniston in 1972 to its designation as the Point out Theater of Alabama in 1977 to the beautiful $21.5 million carrying out arts intricate in Montgomery (created in 1985), ASF has been a chief in the performing arts all over the condition, location, and place. As a beloved Alabama arts establishment, ASF broadens the cultural id of the South by manufacturing classics, Shakespeare, up to date performs, musicals, theatre for youthful audiences, and fascinating new performs. Considering that its inception, ASF has presented education and learning programs to additional than one million pupils on a yearly basis, SchoolFest, a student-matinee system, offers substantial-quality theatrical ordeals to approximately 35,000 learners.