A day of horrible news from a Connecticut school led way to an evening of uncomplicated nostalgia for extracurricular activities of yore. But not even the bubblegum spirit that encases The Marvelous Wonderettes could prevent several casual references to elementary schools, such is the sad state of affairs, from briefly opening an unwanted portal to the present. But soon enough we're back in 1958, when the threat of nuclear annihilation could not tamp down excitement over choosing a prom queen.
The Marvelous Wonderettes, now at New Conservatory Theatre Center, is one of numerous jukebox musicals built around pop songs of the 1950s and 60s. It's a middling representative of the genre, though it's hard not to fall under the sway of a show packed with nearly three dozen memory-tweaking songs such as "My Boy Lollipop," "It's My Party," and "Leader of the Pack."
Even with the wall-to-wall shag carpet of songs, a considerable number of plotlines are introduced for the four characters who make up the eponymous quartet. Mostly these are small-scale affairs involving boyfriends and competition for the spotlight, although the second act set at the girls' 10-year reunion touches on some existential issues that go on to find resolution before "Thank You and Goodnight" brings down the curtain.
NCTC Artistic Director Ed Decker's production does not go looking for subtlety, and there are few indications that creator Roger Bean intended any such explorations. Instead, harmless gags are repeated till they lose much of their flavor, as must the wad of chewing gum that repeatedly gets parked on a microphone.
The vintage mikes are just props, which can become regrettable when the performers' voices prove smaller than the songs, and the three-piece accompaniment led by Musical Director Joe Simiele can wash out before a song is over. Sherrell-Lee McCuin, Erin Morrow, Nicole Roca, and Kim Stephenson have no trouble filling the stage with their personalities, even if their characters seem to know that they are in a spoof. Stephanie Temple's choreography is a livening touch, as are Kuo-Hao Lo's pretty-in-pink set design and Jorge R. Hernandez's costumes.
The Marvelous Wonderettes is a show for which the adjective "cute" is meant as a compliment. Sometimes that is enough to provide a refreshing respite from the world as we know it.
The Marvelous Wonderettes will run through Jan. 13 at New Conservatory Theatre Center. Tickets are $25-$45. Call 861-8972 or go to www.nctcsf.org.