By Judith Cookis Rubens
Last December, Farmers Alley audiences met Suzy, Missy, Cindy Lou and Betty Jean – a quartet of high school gal pals known as "The Marvelous Wonderettes." The off-Broadway musical revue (of the same name) found the girls crooning '50s and '60s jukebox hits at their senior prom, and, later, their 10-year class reunion.
In the frothy sequel, "Winter Wonderettes," now at Farmers Alley through Dec. 31, it's still 1968, and the girls are headlining the Harper's Hardware store's holiday party, where Betty Jean works.
As the girls harmonize on "Jingle Bell Rock," "The Man with the Bag" and "Santa Baby," a few details about their lives, loves and friendships leak out. No one has changed that much. Teacher's pet, Missy, has married her longtime crush, Bill; ditzy, good-girl Suzy is pregnant again; Cindy Lou remains a big flirt; and tough-talkin' Betty Jean still seems too cool to care.
Hard to believe, but the sequel's plot is even more slight. Success hinges on the music and performers' versatility. Luckily, Farmers Alley reunited the entire cast and crew, notably all four original Wonderettes, who still make musical magic together. Their energy remains sky high, and they don't miss a beat of campy choreography.
Act One takes time to find its groove, spending too long on the more tired jokes of the first show ("Chipmunk Cheer" could be cut). The show hits its stride with a "Christmas Time All Over the World" number, where each girl sings a different, ethnic-flavored ode. Ann Sanders, as spacey Suzy, lays on the heavy Spanish accent and impressive physical antics in "Donde Esta Santa Claus?" As Cindy Lou, Amanda Martin plays up the sultry Latin moves in "We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo," while Sandy Zwier has fun with Betty Jean's linguistic challenges on "O Tannenbaum."
This show's heart is watching the group struggle – and often fail – to be the politically correct, perfectly poised girl group it wants to be. Despite bad news, the show must go on and it's delightful to watch the Wonderettes push on. Also, these performers genuinely seem to be having fun, and that really sells it.
Each woman has more solos this time around. Sanders drops Suzy's grating baby voice just enough to show us her true range in "Suzy Snowflake." Denene Mulay Koch gets to vamp it up, baring Missy's seductive side in "This Christmas." Zwier flits between the somber "Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day," and the flirty "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve." But it's Martin's soulful lament, "All Those Christmas Cliches," that haunts us.
At times, the show seems to rocket back and forth between campy, lighthearted froth and stark reality. Creator Roger Bean can't seem to decide. He mostly follows his recipe for the original – tweaked lyrics of popular tunes, lots of physical schtick, and plenty of audience participation.
Director Sandra Simpson could pick up the pace a tad. The girls' dazed "what do we do next?" act gets old fast. It's just more fun when the tunes come fast and furious.
But musical direction by Marie Kerstetter is spot on, and the hidden four-person orchestra seems to be having as much fun as the on-stage performers. W. Douglas Blickle's vintage hardware store set is perfectly festive, and Lanny Potts' lighting actually figures into the laughs a few times.
Cabaret seating and sweet treats help make patrons feel part of the party.
REVIEW:
'Winter Wonderettes'
Farmers Alley Theatre, 221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo. Wednesday-Sunday through Dec. 31; no shows Dec. 24-25. $31-33. 269-343-2727. http://www.farmersalleytheatre.com
