‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’ opens Round Barn season

For people who enjoy music from the 1950s and ’60s, “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” is a must see. The musical is currently on stage at Nappanee’s Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre Wednesdays through Sunday.

It features such tunes as “Lollipop,” “Stupid Cupid,” “It’s My Party,” “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight” and a host of other toe tapping tunes.

Sara Bayless, Kristin Conrad, Sarah Philabaum and Nicole Tompkins are the “Marvelous Wonderettes.” In the first act they have been invited to sing at Springfield High School’s prom. It’s 1958 and they are excited about having been chosen for the night’s entertainment.

Fast forward for the second act. It’s 1968 and time for the 10-year class reunion. Again, they been invited to sing.

Many of the songs in this musical center around their personal lives, including “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “Mr. Lee” and “Son of a Preacher Man.”

Suzy is a sweet young girl who is in love with Ritchie. In the second act she has married her true love, but not all is bliss. She’s expecting a baby but … Bayliss turns in an outstanding performance and handles her disappointments and her pregnancy well.

Cindy Lou is the girl who is after all the boys. Her current boy is Betty Jean’s Johnny. In the second act she is no longer Cindy Lou but Cynthia. She has been to California seeking fame and fortune, but when that failed she returned to her hometown and her job in the candy store. Tompkins turns in a super performance as the “sexy” member of the Marvelous Wonderettes.

Missy is the one with glasses. She has a secret lover. In the second act she admits she is in love with Mr. Lee and they have been eating pizza every Monday for the past five years. Conrad is superior as the studious one of the group.

Betty Jean is the comic of the group. She is in love with Johnny, but he cheats on her. She and Cindy Lou fight, as teens do, in the first act because Cindy Lou is chasing Johnny too. She blows bubbles and does other “cute” things to distract Cindy Lou, who steals not only her boyfriend but her solo. In the second act she and Johnny have been married for three years but are now separated. She is, of course, still in love with him. Philabaum is great as she works her way through her problems with Johnny and Cindy Lou.

They are super as a quartet, reminding the audience of the girl groups of the ’50s. Each shines during solo performances.

It’s an audience participation show. Mr. Lee is a member of the audience, as are others. Mr. Lee is taken on stage in both acts as the girls sing to him. At one point the audience votes for the prom queen, and during the second act they pull men from the audience and dance.

Bouquets to the live music. The orchestra is on stage, with musical director Travis Smith on piano, Tom Slavey on bass and Brian Bell on drums.

The show runs through May 24. For information or reservations call (800) 800-4942 or visit www.amishacres.com.