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Marv5 The Marvelous Wonderettes: Glee Club Edition

JUKEBOX MUSICAL

Wonderettes Glee Club Vertical
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A new, flexible-casting version for this off-Broadway smash hit!

This all-new version of the show combines the first act of The Marvelous Wonderettes with the first act of the sequel Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns, adding additional characters from the Springfield High Chipmunk Glee Club (any number of boys or girls you need) to create a truly flexible large-cast version of this perennial favorite.

We begin at the 1958 Springfield High School Senior Prom, where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives, loves, and friendships, the girls serenade us with classic ’50s hits as they compete for prom queen. Act II zooms ahead to graduation day for the Class of 1958, and the Wonderettes celebrate with their fellow classmates and teachers as they prepare for their next step toward a bright future.

Produce the entire show or either act on its own. Each act runs 45 minutes. (*See note in Materials section below)


SYNOPSIS


Act I

At the 1958 Springfield High School Prom, the lights come up on the evening’s special entertainment: The Marvelous Wonderettes (“Mr. Sandman”). These four best friends (Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy) launch into the Sugar & Spice Medley: "Lollipop/Sugartime," and we learn that the Wonderettes are also the trophy-winning varsity song leaders for Springfield High— "Go Chipmunks!" While Betty Jean excitedly runs out front to put their new trophy in the school’s display case, her best friend, Cindy Lou, steals her solo (“Allegheny Moon”), and cracks in their friendship begin to appear. After Missy and Suzy break up the squabble, we hear the real reason the girls are performing tonight: they are the replacement act for tonight’s originally scheduled group, the Crooning Crabcakes. Billy Ray Patton, the lead Crab, got suspended from school for smoking behind the girls’ locker room. They reveal the theme of tonight’s super senior prom (Marvelous Dreams Medley: “All I Have to Do Is Dream”/“Dream Lover”), and with the help of Missy’s special dreamcatcher, each girl gets to dedicate a song to her very own "dream lover." Suzy sings to her boyfriend, Richie, who is also running the lights (“Stupid Cupid”). Betty Jean sings to her boyfriend Johnny (“Lipstick on Your Collar”), discovering that Johnny and Cindy Lou have been making out behind her back, and Cindy Lou sings of her special talents in "Lucky Lips." After Suzy squelches another fight between Cindy Lou and Betty Jean— "L-O-V-E, that spells love…!"— Missy reveals her own "Secret Love," the girls’ music teacher (Man of My Dreams Medley: “Mr. Lee”/“Born Too Late”/“Teacher’s Pet”). The talent competition is next, followed by the vote for the 1958 Queen of Your Dreams— "That’s the Prom Queen!" The Wonderettes prepare for the end of the prom (Goodnight & Goodbye Medley: “Sincerely”/“Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight”), followed by the crowning of the 1958 Queen of Your Dreams and her spotlight song (“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”).

Act II

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 Act I, and Act II takes 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. Suzy reveals she flunked her senior year and has to return for summer school (“Sealed with a Kiss”). 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"). The Wonderettes thank everyone for an amazing evening of wonderful memories (“Thank You and Goodnight”/"Sincerely”).

QUOTE


ONE IRRESISTIBLE MUSICAL! AN UTTER CHARM BOMB!

–The New York Times


Characters:

Cindy Lou (17) knows she is the prettiest girl at Springfield High. She knows she will be named Prom Queen and acts out against her best friend Betty Jean when things don’t go her way. Mezzo Soprano Belt— sings lead line on most songs.

Missy (17) is the over-achiever of the group. Very controlled, very concerned that everything at the prom turns out wonderful and perfect. Head of the Prom Decorations Committee; and absolutely smitten with her music teacher. Her best friend is Suzy. Soprano— wide range, very high vocals and belts throughout the show.

Betty Jean (17) is the class clown and tomboy, always vying for attention with Cindy Lou, her best friend. It’s also possible that Betty Jean wants to be with Cindy Lou herself, but just doesn’t even know what those feelings really are. Cindy Lou steals Betty Jean’s boyfriend away, which causes a lot of the friction at the prom. Alto with a strong low range.

Suzy (17) is the happy-go-lucky and slightly ditzy blond one of the group, and best friends with Missy. Always smiling and giggling, nothing ever seems to bother Suzy. In love with the lighting operator, she is completely surprised when named prom queen. Mezzo Alto, with big belt. This role requires an excellent part singer and comedienne.

Glee Club: The rest of the Glee Club can be comprised of as many girls (and boys) as desired. Most of the story is told by the four leaders, with the Glee Club singing and dancing with them throughout.

Patty (16) is the reigning junior varsity super Chipmunk, and the de-facto leader of the Glee Club. She can sing any of the three parts assigned to the Glee Club.

If appropriate, the stage director or musical/vocal director may give various song solos in the larger group numbers to members of the Glee Club to give everyone a chance to shine. The best numbers for sharing solos are:

  • “Mr. Lee” (the section of solos that are not Missy’s)
  • “Teacher’s Pet” (all except Missy’s solos)
  • “Born Too Late” (create solos from full group number
  • “V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N”
  • “Rock at the Hop Medley”
  • “Mr. Touchdown”
  • “Personality”
  • “Springfield High Alma Mater”
  • “May You Always” (Make sure the Wonderettes get to lead the final number)

Setting: 1958, Springfield High School Gymnasium, USA.

  1. Mr. Sandman
  2. Sugar & Spice Medley (Lollipop/Sugartime)
  3. Chipmunk Cheer
  4. Allegheny Moon
  5. Marvelous Dreams Medley (All I Have To Do is Dream/Dream Lover)
  6. Stupid Cupid
  7. Lipstick on Your Collar
  8. Lucky Lips
  9. Secret Love
  10. Man of My Dreams Medley (Mr. Lee/Born Too Late/Teacher's Pet)
  11. Goodnight & Goodbye Medley (Sincerely/Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight)
  12. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
  13. Pomp & Circumstance/V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N
  14. Ding Dong
  15. Rock at the Hop Medley (Rock Around the Clock/Rockin' Robin/At the Hop)
  16. Rock and Roll Waltz
  17. Chipmunk Football (Mr. Touchdown/You Gotta Be a Football Hero)
  18. Personality
  19. Dedicated to the One I Love
  20. My Boy, Flat Top
  21. Oh Boy!
  22. Teacher, Teacher
  23. Sealed With a Kiss
  24. Springfield High Alma Mater
  25. Onward & Upward May You Always/Graduation Day)
  26. Thank You and Goodnight

Performance Royalties are based on theater particulars.

Billing responsibilities, pertinent copyright information, and playwrights' biographies are available in the show rider that comes with your license agreement.

“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.” –The Associated Press

“One irresistible musical! An utter charm bomb!” –The New York Times

“Don’t buy a ticket— buy two! It’s a show you’ll want to see twice.” –Back Stage

“Iconic ‘50s pop hits shine in this bubbly musical.” –New York Magazine

“An expertly wrought showcase of ‘50s and ‘60s pop music— it’s tremendously fun.” –Variety

“A laugh-a-minute song fest!” –Back Stage

“Smooth as a malted milk shake. Bask in girl-group renditions of ‘The Shoop Song’ and ‘Leader of the Pack.’ Charming!” –Show Business Weekly

“It doesn’t get better than this!” –Dr. Joy Browne, WOR Radio

“A good time! Audiences leave beaming and humming. An infectiously charming homage to the music of the 1950s and 1960s.” –theatermania.com

“A fun, fun, fun show! Very highly recommended. The tune-packed show is a stroll down memory lane with plenty of laughs and great singing.” –Edge NY

The Marvelous Wonderettes is deliciously enjoyable.” – The Los Angeles Times

“Wonder women: a simply marvelous time-travel!” –The Portland Phoenix

“A generous evening of entertainment. Move over, Forever Plaid!”Back Stage West

“Wildly entertaining froth!” –The Los Angeles Times

“Roger Bean is forging a successful career by creating light-hearted musicals featuring some of the greatest hits (as well as an occasional obscure flipside) from the era of ducktails, coonskin caps, and poodle skirts. In this specialized field, Bean has certainly become a contender for the title of ‘Leader of the Pack.’” –Wisconsin State Journal

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.

Production Materials for The Marvelous Wonderettes: Glee Club Edition include:

  • 10 Cast Script and Vocal Book
  • Orchestrations
  • 2 Piano/Conductor Score
  • 2 Director's Scripts
  • 1 Stage Manager Script
  • Logo Pack

Orchestrations:

  • Piano/Conductor Score (Keyboard 1)
  • 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 professionally designed show logo.

Production Resources:

  • Official Logo Pack
  • Customizable Poster & Layered Artwork
  • Social Media Marketing Kit
  • Performance Tracks
  • Sound Effects Package

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/