Live Theatre, Concerts & Events

The Marvelous Wonderettes (Dream On): Loveable antics and spectacular four-part harmonies

“I am womyn, hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore…” Remember Helen Reddy’s 70’s anthem about the modern, liberated woman? Well, we’ve come a long way, baby! Now the rally cry is a simple, “Me, too!”

From 17-year-olds singing “Lollipop, Lollipop” at their Senior Prom to mature women, singing classics such as, Sly and the Family Stone’s “We are Family” and Gloria Gaynor’s timeless “I Will Survive,” at their 20-year high school reunion, The Marvelous Wonderettes (Dream On) continue to entertain us with their loveable antics and spectacular four-part harmonies! Plan to welcome back Betty Jean (Lindsay Rewi), Cindy Lou (Lauren Bailey), Missy (Justine Sousa) and Suzy (Cait Porteous) to Perth’s Studio Theatre next month when the girls return to the Springfield High School stage to entertain the guests at Miss McPherson’s retirement.

If you saw indie women two productions’ of The Marvelous Wonderettes last November when the girls provided the entertainment at their Prom (Act I) and their 10-year high school reunion (Act II), you won’t want to miss this update of their lives and music. If you were unlucky enough to have missed it, RUN – don’t walk – to Tickets Please so you don’t miss out on this wacky and wonderful sequel.

In The Marvelous Wonderettes, we met the quirky foursome in all their youthful glory and learned about the trials and tribulations of their love lives and often fraught relationships with each other. In the latest production, their favourite homeroom, home ec and languages teacher, Miss McPherson, is retiring (in Act I), but that’s not as easy as one might think! In Act II, our heroines are pushing forty, but they still have what it takes to sing and dance up a storm and to annoy the heck out of each other, while entirely endearing themselves to us, the audience!

The Marvelous Wonderettes Dream On, co-produced by indie women two productions and Studio Theatre Productions, premieres at the Studio Theatre on Thursday, November 15th for eight shows, November 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 at 7:30 pm and November 18 & 25 at 2 pm. Be sure to book your tickets in advance!

Last year’s show all but sold out and you don’t want to be disappointed. Tickets are $27, exclusively at Tickets Please in the Matheson House Museum Visitor Centre, 11 Gore St. E. (613 485-6434; ticketsplease.ca) which accepts in-store, phone, online and credit card purchases. Tickets are $27 at the Studio Theatre box office on show nights, subject to availability. Rush tickets for Students with ID are just $10 at the door, subject to availability. Attend opening night and save $5!

Indulge yourself in an evening of non-stop nostalgia and the highest-quality musical theatre around. Enjoy the live five-piece band, led by Musical Director Brad Mills. If you saw and loved Sister Act in June, two of the Wonderettes shared the lead role and can’t wait to strut their stuff for you again with their two best friends. Another fundraiser for YAK Youth Centre!

Marvelous Wonderettes Dream ON
PHOTO CAPTION: The Marvelous Wonderettes (in a friendly moment) having hot chocolate at the Springfield Café (with thanks to Perth’s Café Bean!). L to R: Suzy (Cait Porteous), Cindy Lou (Lauren Bailey), Betty Jean (Lindsay Rewi) and Missy (Justine Sousa) Article by C. Lee Bates / Photo by Bruce Raby

MIKE IRVIN

Mike is a retired broadcast production veteran whose 43-year career includes TV & Radio production, along with a 21-year span of teaching part-time in the Algonquin College Radio Broadcasting and Theatre Arts program. His passion for radio performance has garnered several awards and recognition from industry peers and students. As Regional Production Manager at Rogers Radio, he helmed a 6-person team serving the Ottawa, Kingston and Halifax markets. He has directed various productions including commercial and news features, music specials, and podcasts.