“The Marvelous Wondrettes” made a lasting impact on Bradley Watts.
“I saw it on Broadway, and I loved it,” said Watts, who is directing the “jukebox” show that opens Saturday at the Aiken Community Theatre on Newberry Street.
Watts saw the show on a visit that included trips to other theaters, but he said he wished he could’ve seen the Wondrettes a second time on that trip. He’s previously directed it for the Main Street Players. in Edgefield.
The music of the 1950s and 1960s drives the plot, which focuses on four friends. The first part of the show is set in 1958, and audience members will have the chance to vote on that year’s prom queen.
Then, the show leaps to the women’s 10-year high school reunion.
Songs such as “Lollipop,” “Leader of the Pack” and “Son of a Preacher Man” are among the many songs featured in the show, Watts said.
Betty Jean (played by Juli Davis), Cindy Lou (Cara Doolittle), Missy (Whitney McDonald) and Suzy (Rachel Hatfield) tell about their lives and loves, according to a news release.
Not only are there great songs, but the show has a lot of funny dialogue, Watts said.
“The Marvelous Wondrettes” is a late season replacement, Watts said. Another show, “Going to the Chapel” which is in the same vein as “The Marvelous Wondrettes” was supposed to be the Aiken Community Theatre’s season-ender, but not enough men auditioned.
Fortunately for Watts, he was able to pull together a cast that included four women who’d done the show before.
McDonald has been in the show three different times, Watts said, but this time she’s playing the role of Missy, which is a new role for her.
All four women have extensive musical theatre resumes, he added. They are talented and experienced enough to pick up on the roles and music quickly.
Aiken Community Theatre shows typically open on a Friday; however, when the schedule was made a large community event was slated for downtown Aiken. That event has since been cancelled, he said.
“The Marvelous Wondrettes” will be at 7:30 p.m. May 14, 19, 20, 21 and 2 p.m. May 15 and 21. Tickets are $15-$25. For tickets, visit aikencommunitytheatre.org or call (803) 648-1438.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
