By Roger Bean
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by Roger Bean www.stagerights.com THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES (GLEE CLUB EDITION) Copyright © 2019 by Roger Bean, WONDERETTES LLC All Rights Reserved All performances and public readings of THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES (GLEE CLUB EDITION) are subject to royalties. It is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America, of all countries covered by the International Copyright Union, of all countries covered by the Pan-American Copyright Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention, and all countries with which the United States has reciprocal copyright relations. All rights are strictly reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, including mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author. Publication of this play does not necessarily imply that it is available for performance by amateurs or professionals. It is strongly recommended all interested parties apply to Steele Spring Stage Rights for performance rights before starting rehearsals or advertising. No changes shall be made in the play for the purpose of your production without prior written consent. All billing stipulations in your license agreement must be strictly adhered to. No person, firm or entity may receive credit larger or more prominent than that accorded the Author. For all stage performance inquiries, please contact: Steele Spring Stage Rights 3845 Cazador Street Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 739-0413 www.stagerights.com The Marvelous Wonderettes (Glee Club Edition) created by Roger Bean ********************** THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES premiered on March 20, 1999 at the Stackner Cabaret at Milwaukee Repertory Theater and returned on April 8, 2001 to the Stiemke Theatre at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Joseph Hanreddy, Artistic Director, Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director The Marvelous Wonderettes opened off-Broadway on September 14, 2008, at the Westside Theatre, presented by David Elzer, Peter Schneider, Roger Bean and Marvelous NYC LLC Musical Arrangements and Direction by Brian William Baker • Orchestrations by Michael Borth Vocal Arrangements by Roger Bean & Brian William Baker • Choreography by Janet Miller Scenic Design by Michael Carnahan • Costume Design by Bobby Pearce Lighting Design by Jeremy Pivnick • Sound Design by Cricket Myers Stage Managed by Andrew Neal • Directed by Roger Bean Original Cast Album Available on PS Classics Cast Beth Malone ................................ Betty Jean Victoria Matlock ............................ Cindy Lou Farah Alvin ........................................... Missy Bets Malone .......................................... Suzy ********************** THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: CAPS AND GOWNS premiered on July 7, 2012 at The Laguna Playhouse, Karen Wood, Executive Director, Ann E. Wareham, Artistic Director Musical Arrangements, Orchestrations and Musical Direction by Michael Borth Scenic Design by Michael Carnahan • Costume Design by Bobby Pearce Lighting Design by D. Martyn Bookwalter • Sound Design by Corinne Carrillo Production Stage Manager: Jennifer Ellen Butler • Assistant Stage Manager: Kathryn Davies Choreography by Roger Castellano • Directed by Roger Bean Cast Jenna Coker-Jones ...................... Betty Jean Lowe Taylor ................................... Cindy Lou Misty Cotton ......................................... Missy Bets Malone .......................................... Suzy ********************** The Marvelous Wonderettes is dedicated to Lois Bean. CASTING NOTES This is the authorized LARGE-CAST VERSION of The Marvelous Wonderettes, which combines the first acts of both The Marvelous Wonderettes and Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns into one show, and features a flexible ensemble cast. The Marvelous Wonderettes (Glee Club Edition) is a cotton-candy colored, non-stop pop musical. Act one takes the audience to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet the Wonderettes—four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match. We learn about their lives and loves accompanied by the girls performing classic 1950’s pop songs. The girls are joined onstage by the Springfield High School Glee Club (the Chattering Chipmunks). The girls should sing in a bright, old-fashioned pop-belt style—no modern trills and thrills. Listen to the original recordings of these songs for style. The Original Cast Recordings of The Marvelous Wonderettes and The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns contain all of the music in this version of the show (both recordings available on Amazon, iTunes, or through Stage Rights), and are great resource materials when teaching and learning the music. The Wonderettes are real best friends, and their concerns, struggles, hopes and dreams must be sincere. They may argue, but that makes their friendships all the more meaningful and fulfilled. CHANGES & ALTERATIONS This is the authorized LARGE-CAST VERSION of The Marvelous Wonderettes, which combines the first acts of both The Marvelous Wonderettes and Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns into one show. Each act is approximately 45 minutes in length. Alternatively, you may choose to produce either act one only or act two only as a single evening of theater. If you choose to present only act one, there is a different ending. You must request this option from Stage Rights if you only intend to produce act one. Act two does not require any modifications to be presented on its own. APPROXIMATE RUNNING TIME Act One: 45 Minutes / Act Two: 45 Minutes TIME & PLACE 1958, Springfield High School Gymnasium, USA. 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, 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) WONDERETTES BIOS FOR PROM QUEEN POSTERS OR PROGRAMS MISSY MILLER is proud to serve as the head of this year’s prom decorations committee. Accomplishments: Choreographer and proud member of the Varsity Song Leaders (Go Chipmunks!), leader of the PTA-Student Friendship committee, founder of the ‘Chipmunks for a Better America’ Highway Beautification Committee, T.A. for Mr. Lee’s 4th Period Choir Class, winner of this year’s ‘Home Ec Sewing Bee,” and columnist for The Chipmunk Chronicle (‘Missy’s Crafty Corner’). Missy also made most of the refreshments for tonight’s prom. She’s honored and just a bit nervous to be nominated for prom queen along with all of her best friends, the Wonderettes. Apricot is her favorite color, as well as her favorite fruit. CINDY LOU HUFFINGTON is proud to be the prettiest girl at Springfield High School. Accomplishments: Longest-serving member of the Varsity Song Leaders (3rd Place State Champions), president of the drama boosters, student editor of the school newspaper The Chipmunk Chronicle, vice president of the yearbook committee. She loves dancing, cheering, singing, drive-in movies, and boys (not in that order). Platform: World Peace. Quote: “I hope to shatter the pre-conceived image of prom queen and, when chosen, will use my intelligence, poise, grace and beauty to bring happiness to those who are less fortunate than I.” Pink is her favorite color. BETTY JEAN REYNOLDS is proud to have a date for the prom, and she can’t believe that Johnny finally got the nerve to ask her. Accomplishments: Member of the Varsity Song Leaders (where she won ‘Loudest Cheer’ at State Championships), all-time high-score on the Chipmunk Bowling Squad (“255— only 45 more to go!”), member