'The Marvelous Wonderettes'- 10.23.09

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 12:19pm

Last night I had the pleasure of catching 'The Marvelous Wonderettes' at the Westside Theatre and I honestly can't say one bad thing about the show, I absolutely adored it!

Being born way after the 50s and 60s I was unsure if I would know (and enjoy) half the songs, as well as get half the jokes, but I did; I knew every song except for one in act 2 and none of the jokes flew over my head, I was actually laughing so much I got slightly embarrassed. The seats were great too- they were from TDF and were Row C, dead center.

Onto the cast:
Misty Cotton was great as Missy, her voice was phenomenal and her acting was great. I really don't know what else to say but she was great.

Christina DeCicco was excellent as Cindy Lou! I was very curious about how she would be being she played Glinda along side Victoria Matlock who had played Cindy Lou before her... but she nailed the role and her voice was in top form. She, was my personal favorite.

Lindsay Mendez stole most of the show as Betty Jean, her singing was fantastic and her acting was hilarious (in a good way)... what a future she has.

For the parts of the show Lindsay didn't steal, understudy: Tricia Tanguy as Suzy was there to steal it. She was excellent! Her voice, like all the rest of the girls was great and her acting was fantastic as well. I really hope the best to her and hope to see her take over the role one day.

*Little side note: I kept picturing Annaleigh Ashford as Suzy- type casting, I know, but I would still love to see her in the role one day.

All in all it was a fabulous night at the theatre and a fabulous show, I suggest all see it as it really does appeal to all ages.

5 out of 5 stars!

[legally_popular]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 12:23pm

I constantly hear nothing but great things about the show. I may have to check it out sometime.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 12:27pm

Oh, definitely do! I had been wanting to see this for the longest time but never actually got to it until a friend said she could get TDF tickets, and I am so happy I agreed to go!

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 12:38pm

I haven't seen this cast (I went back when Farah Alvin was still in the show) but it's really adorable and a lot of fun. I'll definitely recommend it too!

It's nice to hear that the new cast is really good as well...I saw the original cast and they were fantastic.

[trombonist]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 1:06pm

The only thing that makes me very sad now is they either are going in the next couple of days or have gone in the past couple of days to a track rather than a live band.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 1:10pm

They thanked the band last night (didn't show them, but thanked them) and have them listed in the Playbill.

[Bwayfan39]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 1:48pm

Couldn't agree more-this cast is amazing! I too saw Tricia (after I had seen Kirsten Bracken) and she was wonderful. All the girls are just perfect together-it's just a great, fun show.

I heard they are going to switch to tracks after Sunday (tomorrow), which upsets me.

[trombonist]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 2:36pm

They are definitely going to tracks. I couldn't tell from the person I heard it from if it was at the end of the Wonderette's work week (Wednesday night as they're dark on Thursdays) or the end of the calendar week, which for shows would be Sunday. Apparently it's Sunday.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 2:49pm

Why would they do that?

And where is the original cast now?

[trombonist]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 3:01pm

Why? Save money I guess. Though I think it sucks!

As for the original cast, it's been open for over a year, so it's not surprising they're not in. Bets came back in a couple of months ago for Kirsten to have time off for her wedding and honeymoon. I think Beth was doing Spelling Bee out in Aspen...or something. As far as the other two, idk.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 9:26pm

Victoria did 'First Wives Club'.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/24/09 at 9:38pm

"I constantly hear nothing but great things about the show. I may have to check it out sometime."

Me too. I saw Christina DeCicco as Glinda on tour and thought she did very well.

[trombonist]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 12:06am

I ended up randomly seeing it tonight. Yes, tomorrow's show is the last for the live band. Both "wonderstudies" were in, and they were, well, marvelous!

I was very sad to see that the theater was almost half empty though. I guess that partly explains why they're going to a track. An attempt to save money and keep it running I guess. It'll be interesting to see what it sounds like with the track. Less room for improvising for sure.

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 2:41am

They used a track in the production at Laguna Playhouse. It didn't seem to limit their improvising/interaction with the audience.