Armed with brand new costumes, sets, choreography and orchestrations created specifically for this nine-performance production, Musical Theatre West's nostalgic yuletide offering of WINTER WONDERETTES—Roger Bean's holiday-themed sequel to his popular 60's-set off-Broadway hit THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES—is no doubt still a reliable, people-pleasing musical confection, full of adorkable charm, safe-for-all gags, and a catalog of memorable holiday tunes that are all wrapped up with the shiniest of trimmings. Much like the era it depicts, this funny, entertaining show revels in its old-fashioned values and square showmanship. Though, it should be noted, that despite its retro leanings, it still manages to keep subtle, knowing modernist winks at the ready.
Genuinely enjoyable though hardly thought-provoking—heck, who needs that in a show like this?!—this giddy, inoffensive jukebox musical is the stage equivalent of comfort food: warm, good-tasting, and chock-full of delicious (albeit empty) calories that will help block the high-decibel harshness of our current twenty-first century realities, at the very least for a few hours. Touted as a fresh, re-jiggered production, this colorful revival—helmed by WONDERETTES creator Bean himself—plays a limited nine-show engagement through December 18 at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach.
Like most of Bean's other nostalgia-trippy shows that he's become synonymous for, WINTER WONDERETTES similarly fashions a rather feeble storyline around a more thoughtfully-assembled songbook of familiar music. Though some of the set-ups that lead to certain songs are clever enough, some are just plain silly—which, really, in the grand scheme of this show isn't such an offensive thing. It's this very silliness that makes the show a kind of guilty pleasure cheese-fest. I dare you to try to resist hearing these fun ditties without even cracking a smile. Set in the winter of 1968, six months after the end of THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, the story finds everyone's local favorite gal-band prominently featured as the entertainment for the company Christmas Party at Harper's Hardware. It's certainly an easy gig to book, thanks to the store's unofficial VP and tightly-wound head party-planner Betty Jean (Julie Dixon Jackson), who has worked at the store since high school and happens to be a Wonderette herself. Along for the tumultuous ride are her fellow Wonderettes: spunky newlywed nerd Missy (Misty Cotton), flirty bombshell Cindy Lou (Lowe Taylor), and lovable ditz Suzy (scene-stealing Bets Malone), who's quite preggers. Throughout the evening, the quartet harmonizes through a nostalgic roster of 50's/60's-flavored holiday songs, including a musical trip "around the world" that finds the ladies trading solos on various tunes from different nationalities (wait until you hear their cute take on "¿Dónde Está Santa Claus?" featuring Suzy and her child-like voice).
As is tradition at this annual party—where the audience plays the employees of the store—owner Mr. Harper apparently comes out dressed as Santa, not only to congratulate his minions on another great year, but to also personally hand out the employee bonuses. But to everyone's bewilderment, Harper fails to show up as scheduled, prompting Betty Jean and the gals to stretch out the program. Eventually they take it upon themselves to hand out the bonus envelopes to everyone instead. Unfortunately, as we all soon discover, the envelopes don't contain bonuses at all—but rather, the envelopes hold the kind of bad news that hits very close to home in our own current economic climate. But, fear not... a show this frothy can't possibly have anything but a happy ending. (It's a safe spoiler, trust me).
Though this is not my first time seeing WINTER WONDERETTES, my curiosity was certainly piqued to see it again when it was announced that the show will be getting a cosmetic overhaul, supervised by its creator especially for MTW. Admittedly, I enjoyed MTW's go-round with the show here much more than my first experience with it two seasons ago (reviewed HERE), perhaps because of the new changes or maybe because of the bigger stage that the Carpenter Center provided (an actual in-house live band—instead of canned music—actually sits behind the cash registers!). But, most likely, the reason this production was even more enjoyable for me personally this time around might be because I have now come in to see the show with a different mindset—and, with it, different expectations. I came in already knowing that the show is to be enjoyed just for its lightweight comedy, its amazing vocal talents (all four actresses have donned these wigs many times before), and its list of heartwarming Christmas music, done in a cute, cheeky way that's just adorable enough without being unbearably grating. What WINTER WONDERETTES lacks in witty sophistication, it makes up for in pleasant gumption and audience-tugging manipulation (careful if you sit in the front few rows—you might get recruited to participate on stage!). I liken the show's appeal the same way MAMMA MIA has this effect on its audiences: it may not be the most interesting show out there, but darn it, are those songs catchy!
The detectable changes, however, are still a mixed bag. The lovely new sets by Kevin Clowes popped with retro colors, while the candy-bright costumes in rainbow hues by Bobby Pearce add an all-new energy to the show—especially when the gals move about on this larger stage. But with a larger venue comes a few pitfalls missed from earlier incarnations. One of the show's most interesting gags—the handing out of bonuses—involves participation from the entire audience, something much more do-able in a smaller house. However, it's a lot harder to distribute envelopes to everyone in a 1,070-seat auditorium like the Carpenter Center, so not everyone gets to fully experience the reveal, even if it's just a minor plot point. While most of the songs shine through with its retro vibe and delightful deliveries, some of the new orchestrations are a bit curious. "Snowfall," for example, has the potential to be a pretty ballad and a nice, reverent break from all the mayhem. But, unfortunately, its vocal arrangement and strange harmonies here makes for an awkward listen and definitely interrupts the show's forward momentum. And if I really wanted to nit-pick, I still find it a bit disconcerting that Donnie Hathaway's early 70's Soul hit "This Christmas" is being passed off as something that would even exist in this 60's-set musical (however, the Lynn Ahrens/Stephen Flaherty-penned ballad "All Those Christmas Clichés" is a lovely presence here despite it's 90's pedigree).
But all these blemishes prove to be minor ones when you consider that this show's equity truly rests on the undeniable likability of its characters and the now-seasoned cast that portrays them—all of whom are as wonderful in the show as their fictional group name suggests. I have at one point or another seen each of these actresses in their respective roles and even now, these four awesome ladies truly embody their characters with a lived-in quality. When singing together as one harmonious ensemble, they produce some enchanting sounds. But I'm glad that the show's very, very, loose structure allows for each gal to get her chance to shine, too.As the bespectacled Missy, Cotton doesn't reduce her character into a caricature, but rather makes her believably spunky—like a caged, um, cougar ready to pounce... but with a lady-like decorum, natch. As Queen Bee Betty Jean, Dixon-Jackson is an apt leader with a nicely-balanced amount of wisdom and vulnerability, with killer vocals to match. Same for Taylor as Cindy Lou, whose sexiness is effortless and is blessed with a killer belt.
And there are not enough accolades I can ever bestow upon scene-stealer (and MTW favorite) Malone. Her portrayal of Suzy in several Southern California productions of both WONDERETTES shows is always a highlight and here, it's no exception. Underneath this impressive comedian and that juvenile-sounding speaking voice is a powerhouse singer that's allowed to see a little light in a few scattered notes. She earned a spot in my year-end best list last year, and I feel like she'll be doing it again.Overall, these four impressive actresses prove to be the best gift of all. Follow this reviewer on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQPhoto by Alysa Brennan. Clockwise from left: Missy (Misty Cotton), Cindy Lou (Lowe Taylor), Betty Jean (Julie Dixon Jackson), and Suzy (Bets Malone, center).-----Final remaining performances of Musical Theatre West's WINTER WONDERETTES continue through December 18 and are scheduled Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., and additional 7 p.m. performance added on Sunday, December 18. Tickets start at $20. There is a $3 service charge per ticket. Prices are subject to change without notice. Group rates are available for 15 or more.
Musical Theatre West performs at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at 6200 E. Atherton Street in Long Beach, CA.For tickets or for more information, please call 562-856-1999 x4 or visit online at www.musical.org.
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