The Marvelous Wonderettes
by Fredericksburg Theater Company (FTC)
Jun. 03 - Jun. 04 (2017)
This smash off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School 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 and loves, the girls serenade us with classic ‘50s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” and “Lipstick on Your Collar.” In act two, the Wonderettes reunite to take the stage and perform at their ten-year reunion. We learn about the highs and lows the girls have experienced in the past decade and are charmed to find that no matter what life throws their way, they will conquer it together. Featuring over 30 classic ’50s and ’60s hits, The Marvelous Wonderettes will keep you smiling in this must-take musical trip down memory lane!
Auditions for FTC’s Summer Finale, The Marvelous Wonderettes are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 3rd and 4th at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater, located at 1668 US Highway 87 south in Fredericksburg. All roles are available for auditions
Audition preparation: Please prepare one song in the style of pop hits from the 1950’s and one song in the style of pop hits from the 1960’s. You may use songs from the show: one from Act 1 and one from Act 2. Please have the songs you prepare memorized. A pianist, CD player and the ability to play mp3 tracks will be available. Please, no a cappella auditions. A CD with the music for “Secret Love”, “Stupid Cupid”, “Son of a Preacher Man”, and “Rescue Me” will be available to check out from the FTC Box Office beginning Monday, May 8. Perusal copies of the script will also be available.
Audition procedure: In addition to the song you prepare, you may be asked to sing part of a song from The Marvelous Wonderettes and read scenes from the script. There will also be an audition of dance moves in the style of “Girl Groups” from the 50’s and 60’s.
Schedule: The cast will be announced by Tuesday, June 6. The first full cast meeting will be Sunday, June 11 at 2pm at the theater. From June 19 to July 8 there will be two or three rehearsals each week. Starting July 9 there will be five rehearsals each week. Rehearsals will be scheduled for weekday evenings and possibly on some weekends. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be available at the first cast meeting. Starting July 31 attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory.
Performances are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays August 11th-20th.
Contact: If you have any questions or need further information, please email Jim Weisman (Director) at jimweisman55@yahoo.com, Dawn Hahn (Music Director) at dawn_hahn@hotmail.com and/or Kerry Goff (Artistic Director) at kerryaaron@gmail.com with the subject Wonderettes auditions.
Character Breakdown:
CINDY LOU (18, 28) 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. She makes the biggest change between Act 1 & 2, having learned the lessons of true love and loss.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano Belt: E3–F5. Sings melody line on most songs, so the other girls hang their vocals on this voice. Among the songs she sings lead are: ‘Allegheny Moon,’ ‘Son of a Preacher Man,’ and ‘Maybe’.
MISSY (18, 28) 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.
Vocal Range: Soprano: G3–A5. Wide range, floating high vocals and belting throughout the show. Among the songs she sings lead are: ‘Secret Love,’ ‘You Don’t Own Me,’ and ‘Wedding Bell Blues’.
BETTY JEAN (18, 28) is the class clown, tomboy, always vying for attention with Cindy Lou, her best friend. It’s also highly probably 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. She holds this grudge against Cindy Lou until they make up at the 10-year reunion.
Vocal Range: Alto with strong low range: D3–E5. Among the songs she sings lead are: ‘Lipstick on Your Collar,’ ‘I Only Want To Be With You,’ and ‘That’s When The Tears Start.”
SUZY (18, 28) is the gum-chewing, happy-go-lucky, go-along girl. Super-best friends with Missy, Suzy is always a little giddy and a little silly, and finds great pleasure in everything she does. In love with the lighting operator, completely surprised when named prom queen. Frustrated, sad, hormonal, and pregnant in Act 2. This role requires an excellent part singer and expert comedienne.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Alto with both sweet and soulful voice: G3–E5. Among the songs she sings lead are: ‘Stupid Cupid,’ ‘Hold Me, Thrill Me,’ and ‘Rescue Me’.
