2017–2018 SEASON THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES Written and created by Roger Bean Directed and choreographed by CONTENTS Melissa Rain Anderson 2 The 411 3 FYI, HTH, A/S/L 4 F2F 6 IRL 7 RBTL 8 BTW MAJOR SPONSORS At The Rep, we know HOW TO BE THE BEST AUDIENCE EVER! that life moves fast— TAKE YOUR SEAT okay, really fast. But An usher will seat your class as a group, and often we have we also know that a full house with no seats to spare, so be sure to stick with some things are your school until you have been shown your section in the worth slowing down theatre. for. We believe that live theatre is one of those pit stops worth making and are excited that you are going to stop SILENCE IS GOLDEN by for a show. To help you get the most bang for your buck, Before the performance begins, be sure to turn off your cell we have put together WU? @ THE REP—an IM guide that will phone and watch alarms. If you need to talk or text during give you everything you need to know to get at the top of your intermission, don’t forget to click off before the show theatergoing game—fast. You’ll find character descriptions resumes. (A/S/L), a plot summary (FYI), biographical information (F2F), BREAK TIME historical context (B4U), and other bits and pieces (HTH). Most This performance includes an intermission, at which time importantly, we’ll have some ideas about what this all means you can visit the restrooms in the lobby. Intermission is only IRL, anyway. 15 minutes though, so hurry back to your seat. SNACK TIME There is no food or drink permitted inside the theatre, so make sure you finish your snacks in the lobby before you enter the house. NOW HEAR THIS Just as you can see and hear the actors, they can see and hear you. Any talking, even whispering, can be heard by The Teacher’s those around you and those onstage, so please wait until Lounge the show is over to chat. NO PAPARAZZI PLEASE In an effort to make our The theatre is a camera-free zone. Flash photography educational materials accessible interrupts the action onstage and is prohibited by to students and easy for educators Actors’ Equity Association rules. You can sneak a peek at to incorporate into the classroom, our production photos on The Rep’s website at repstl.org. study guide is written in a student-oriented format. We hope that you will circulate this guide among your TAKE A BOW students in the weeks preceding your visit to The Rep, Let the actors know you respect their work by responding encouraging them to browse it before and after class and to the curtain call at the end of the performance. Show your as time allows, using it as a launch point for both pre- and appreciation for a job well done through applause. post-performance discussions.You may also want to visit our website, www.repstl.org, for additional information THANKS FOR BEING A GREAT AUDIENCE! including activity suggestions and behind-the-scenes information. Any materials, either from this guide or from our website may be reproduced for use in the classroom. As always, we appreciate your making live REP Education Department theatre a part of your classroom experience and welcome your Director of Education Marsha Coplon feedback and questions. Associate Director of Education Sarah Brandt Education Programs Associate Brian Coats SPOILER When the lead singer of the Springfield High School boys ALERT! glee club is unexpectedly suspended from school, The Marvelous Wonderettes are chosen as a last-minute This study guide entertainment replacement for the 1958 senior prom. contains spoilers Suzy, Cindy Lou, Missy and Betty Jean sing hits of the 1950s about the story of while dealing with drama in their own personal relationships. the show. If you wish to be completely Ten years later, The Marvelous Wonderettes reunite to surprised by what perform for their high school reunion. Their personal you see on stage, relationships are just as fraught as they were when they were you may want to wait younger. However, hit songs of the 1960s may just help them until after the play to to rekindle their friendships and romantic relationships. read this. MERCI: French for “thank you” THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES : BEAUCOUP: French for “very much” Suzy, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Betty Jean find themselves in the spotlight as they perform for OUI: French for “yes” their high school prom and, ten years later, IN ABSENTIA: absence, or being absent at a their high school reunion. current event PINNED: to enter into a relationship with someone; the phrase comes from a boy giving his fraternity pin to his girlfriend to signify that they are together. S’IL VOUS PLAIT: French for “please” or “if you please” BUTTERICK’S 5927: a vintage sewing pattern used to make clothing or other materials 3 FEMALE ICONS OF THE 50S AND 60S The Marvelous Wonderettes features some of the greatest hits of the 1950s and 1960s. In fact, Roger Bean, the creator of the play, modeled The Wonderettes after many of the famous girl groups of the decades. Below are just some of the female artists whose songs are included in The Marvelous Wonderettes! THE CHORDETTES THE MCGUIRE SISTERS CONNIE FRANCIS Like The Wonderettes, The Christine, Dorothy and Phyllis A recording artist in the late 50s and Chordettes was made up of four McGuire, three sisters from Ohio, early 60s, Connie Francis is probably women who harmonized in the style were often compared to famous best known for her song “Stupid of a barbershop quartet. The group group The Andrews Sisters and had a Cupid,” which has continued to be formed in 1946 and went through few number one hits between 1952 popular song decades later. You may many member changes before and 1968, including “Sugartime” and recognize it as the song Mandy disbanding in 1961. Two of their most “Sincerely.” Moore sings in Disney’s The Princess popular hits, “Mr. Sandman” and Diaries, also starring Anne Hathaway. “Lollipop,” appear in the play. Francis also sings “Lipstick on Your Collar,” which appears in the play. 4 FEMALE ICONS OF THE 50S AND 60S MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS LESLIE GORE DUSTY SPRINGFIELD This Motown group found fame in Born Lesley Goldstein, Leslie Gore A British recording artist, the 1960s after forming in 1957. has remained a notable recording Dusty Springfield’s career spanned Martha Reeves was not actually an artist for her songs “It’s My Party” and over four decades, from the 1950s to original member of the group, but “You Don’t Own Me,” which has the 1990s. Her bright and flamboyant became the lead singer after become a strong feminist anthem in personality made her an icon of the Gloria Williams left the group in the recent years and used in many Swinging 60s and led her to have early 60s. They recorded a string of popular television shows and movies, many chart-topping hits, including “I hits throughout the 1960s, including including Suicide Squad and Only Want to Be with You” and “Son “Heatwave” and “Dancing in the American Horror Story, to highlight of a Preacher Man.” Street,” which became their the power and independence of signature song. female characters. The Shangri-LaS FONTELLA BASS ARETHA FRANKLIN Similar to The Wonderettes, The This R&B artist is actually from Probably the most notable name on Shangri-Las was a girl group formed St. Louis, and became interested in this list, Aretha Franklin was labelled in high school. Consisting of two sets music when she was very young. Her the “Queen of Soul” during the of sisters, The Shangri-Las had a greatest hit was “Rescue Me,” which 1960s and has continued to earn that “tough girl” persona that set them spent an entire month at the top of title even today. With hits like apart from other girl groups of the the charts. Bass has her own star on “RESPECT” and “(You Make Me Feel time. Their hit song “Leader of the the St. Louis Walk of Fame, which you Like) A Natural Woman,” Franklin Pack” appears in the play and is can visit in the Loop. made herself a household name. She probably one of the most is considered one of the greatest recognizable songs from the 1960s. recording artists of all time and has won a total of 18 Grammy Awards. Just as The Marvelous Wonderettes of Springfield High School were inspired by other song squads of the 1950s, contemporary female singing groups today also owe these same groups for their existence. Below are some major pop groups that just would not exist without the girl groups of the 50s and 60s. THE SPICE GIRLS DESTINY’S CHILD Of course you’ve heard of The Spice Girls! They may Another group that has since disbanded, Destiny’s have been most popular in the 1990s, but these British Child was a major R&B group of the late-1990s and superstars continue to inspire younger generations all early 2000s. Their lead singer, Beyonce, has gone on to around the world. Each of the spices have their own achieve record fame, which would not have been unique identity—Sporty, Scary, Baby, Ginger and Posh— possible without her start in this girl group. With hits like which has made them extremely relatable to fans for “Independent Woman” and “Survivor,” these women decades. With hits like “Spice Up Your Life” and made names for themselves as strong feminist icons, “Wannabe,” and films like Spice World, the Spice Girls similar to The Supremes and Leslie Gore nearly 30 years broke down expectations and became international prior.