11th Hour Theatre Company Set to Close Season With Philadelphia Premiere of THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES

11th Hour Theatre Company is set to close its season with the Philadelphia premiere of The Marvelous Wonderettes. This musical trip down memory lane, written and created by Roger Bean, begins previews June 1, opens Monday, June 4 at 7 p.m. and will close Sunday, June 24. The show will be performed at the Skybox at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street. Tickets cost $30. Discount tickets are available for students. Tickets and more information are available online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone at (267) 987-9865.

The musical begins at the Springfield High School prom in 1958. The lights go up and the audience meets The Marvelous Wonderettes, four best friends who are also the evening’s entertainment. Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy are the trophy-winning varsity song leaders for Springfield High School and throughout the evening cracks in their friendship start to grow. The first act zips through popular songs from the 50s, including Mr. Sandman, Lollipop, Stupid Cupid, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Dream Lover, and others.

Then, the second act finds the girls 10 years later at their 10 year reunion. As the audience discovers what happened to the girls after the prom and beyond graduation, the Wonderettes perform some of the most popular hits of the 60s. The second act includes: Heatwave, It’s In His Kiss, You Don’t Own Me, and more.

Producing Artistic Director, Michael Philip O’Brien says, “We were extremely excited about bringing the Wonderettes to Philadelphia! This is a hilarious jukebox musical featuring some of the greatest female pop songs ever, but it is really more about these hysterical characters and the four extremely talented actresses who are playing them. It is a show that all audiences will enjoy!”

The cast includes a mix of 11th Hour regulars and newcomers. University of the Arts grad Kat Borrelli is playing Betty Jean, 11th Hour regular Laura Catlaw is playing Cindy Lou, Colleen Hazlett, who has performed at several Philly Rocks concerts and on stage at both the Walnut and the Arden, is playing Missy, and University of the Arts grad Janet Rowley is playing Suzy.

11th Hour Resident Director Megan Nicole O’Brien directs. Tabitha Allen is handling Music Direction. Samuel Antonio Reyes is choreographing the show. Meghan Jones is designing the set which will begin at the Wondrettes’ prom and end at their 10 year reunion. Mark Valenzuela is designing the sound. Lauren Perigard is creating the costumes and Shelly Hicklin is designing the lights.

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