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Marv2 The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns '58

JUKEBOX MUSICAL

MW2-Caps and Gowns 58
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Matriculation has never been so Marvelous! Join the Wonderettes in this graduation-only version of Caps and Gowns.

We’re back in 1958, and it’s time for the Wonderettes to graduate in this delightful sequel to the smash Off-Broadway hit! Join Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy as they sing about their final year in high school, celebrate with their fellow classmates and teachers, and prepare for their next step toward a bright future.

Take me back to the original.


SYNOPSIS


It’s Graduation Day for the Class of 1958 (“Pomp & Circumstance”), and the lights come up on the evening’s special entertainment: The Marvelous Wonderettes (“V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N”). We first met these four best friends and song leaders— Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy— at their Super Senior Prom in The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Caps and Gowns take us to their final day of school at Springfield High (“Ding Dong”). They announce that the PTA Board has approved the Chipmunk All-Night Rock-and-Roll-a-thon (Rock-at-the-Hop Medley: “Rock Around the Clock”/ ”Rockin’ Robin”/ ”At the Hop”), and we learn that even squares like Suzy’s mom like rock ‘n’ roll music (“Rock and Roll Waltz”). Last week these trophy-winning song-leaders— “Go Chipmunks!”— attended their final paper-shaker camp, and they show us how they won accolades for agility and enthusiasm (Chipmunk Football: “Mr. Touchdown”/ “You Gotta Be a Football Hero”). The Wonderettes excitedly show their admiration for the new leader of the football program, audience-member Coach Warner, Springfield High’s biggest athletic supporter (“Personality”). The girls each reveal a special “last will and testament” for their final day of school (“Dedicated to the One I Love”), and Cindy Lou dedicates her song to the rival high school star quarterback (“My Boy, Flat Top”). Betty Jean quickly grabs the reins to dedicate a song to her long-running on-again, off-again boyfriend Johnny (“Oh Boy!”). Missy dedicates a song to her absolute favorite teacher, Mr. Lee (“Teacher, Teacher”), and passes on her special “Chippie Teacher’s Assistant Manual” to the next Chippie in line (“It’s Only Make Believe”). Suzy reveals she flunked her senior year and has to return for summer school (“Sealed with a Kiss,” “What a Wonderful World”). With their matriculation near (“Springfield High Alma Mater”), we celebrate all of the year’s accomplishments with the senior year slide show (“May You Always”), and look forward to the hopes and dreams of the future on this magical day (“Graduation Day").

QUOTE


Delightful and nostalgic– a guaranteed good time! 

–BroadwayWorld


Characters:

Betty Jean (18) is the self-anointed class clown of the group, always vying for attention from her best friend Cindy Lou. She loves boy humor, and is probably the most physically fit out of all the girls— or at least the most "sporty." Red-headed Betty Jean has a loving heart that is easy to break, as we see in Act II. (Alto with strong low range.)

Cindy Lou (18) knows she is the prettiest girl at Springfield High. Her ongoing rivalry with best friend Betty Jean bursts forth throughout their performance, threatening to derail the planned activities of their Graduation Day. Raven-haired Cindy Lou would be considered the "bad girl" or "mean girl" of the group, but truly has a hidden heart of gold that shines through in Act II. (Mezzo Soprano with belt– sings lead on many songs.)

Missy (18) is the over-achiever of the group. She is always ready to cover for mistakes and jump in and save the day. She has been best friends with Suzy since elementary school. Brown-haired Missy’s hidden heart-throb is teacher Mr. Lee, whom she finally weds in Act II. (Soprano with wide range and very high vocals.)

Suzy (18) is the gum-chewing, happy-go-lucky, go-along girl. Blonde Suzy is always a little giddy and a little silly, and finds great pleasure in everything she does. Slightly ditzy, Act I finds Suzy flunking out of her elective Library class for electing not to go, but finally receives her GED in Act II. Her best friend is Missy. (Mezzo Alto with a sweet, soulful sound and big belts.)

Setting: Springfield High School Gymnasium, 1958.

  1. Pomp & Circumstance / Vacation
  2. Ding Dong
  3. Rock At The Hop Medley
  4. Rock And Roll Waltz
  5. Chipmunk Football: Mr. Touchdown/You Gotta Be A Football Hero
  6. Personality
  7. Dedicated To The One I Love
  8. My Boy, Flat Top
  9. Oh Boy!
  10. Teacher, Teacher
  11. It’s Only Make Believe
  12. Sealed With A Kiss
  13. (What A) Wonderful World
  14. Springfield High Alma Mater
  15. Onward & Upward: May You Always / Graduation Day

Performance Royalties are based on theater particulars. Please fill out an application for a personalized quote.

Billing responsibilities, pertinent copyright information, and playwrights' biographies are available in the show rider that comes with your license agreement. To download the show rider for The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns ‘58, click here.

Materials: Digital Materials are provided via email as downloadable PDF files for you to print in-house. All materials are yours to keep! No deposits, no returns.

Required Production Materials for The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns ’58;

  • 4 Cast Script/Vocal Books
  • 2 Piano/Conductor Scores
  • 2 Directors Scripts
  • 1 Stage Manager Script
  • Logo pack
  • Orchestrations

Orchestrations:

  • Piano/Conductor Score
  • Keyboard 2 - Synth
  • Guitar
  • Drums

Official Logo Pack Now Included!

To help you promote your show, Stage Rights now includes a logo pack with your license. The logo pack includes high-resolution versions (both color and black and white) of our show logo. The logo is the portion of the artwork with the show's title. The surrounding artwork is also available for an additional fee.

Production Resources:

  • Official Logo Pack
  • Customizable Poster & Layered Artwork
  • Promotion Kit & Social Media Guide
  • Performance Tracks
  • Practice Tracks
  • TurnKey Transpositions (Digital)
  • Full Conductor's Score
  • Digital Orchestration Parts
  • Rehearsal Tracks – Rehearsal tracks for each role with the individual character played at full volume, other parts at half volume.

Official Show Poster and Layered Artwork are available for this title. We’ve collaborated with our partners at Subplot Studio to bring you powerful and easy-to-use online poster design and downloadable artwork for this Stage Rights title. Customize by adding your theater name and logo, show dates, credits, and box office info, and use elements in the layered artwork to create your own print and online marketing pieces. You can even order printed posters! Learn more at www.subplotstudio.com/store/posters/collection/stage-rights/