The Marvelous Wonderettes dazzled Sandton
Sandton theatre enthusiasts had one last chance to catch the Marvelous Wonderettes on September 9.
The jukebox musical comedy production, The Marvelous Wonderettes, closed its second run in Sandton this year at Theatre-on-the-Square on September 9, following the show’s earlier run at RedFest this year.
It was a nostalgic experience centred around a tracklist of music from the 50s and 60s. The show follows a high school girl band’s performance at Prom in 1954 – and their reunion 10 years later.
The characters are all colour-coordinated: Betty Jean (portrayed by Tiffany Jean Miller) is green; Suzy (portrayed by show choreographer Angelica Hattingh) is blue; Cindy Lou (portrayed by show director Emma Amber) is pink; and Missy (portrayed by show set manager Jo-Mari Malan) is orange.
Reminiscent of the Chipettes in Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Marvelous Wonderettes took audiences on a magnificent journey down memory lane with its music, chemistry and on-stage wit and charisma. For a brief moment in time, viewers become transported to the years before smartphones and digital everything.
“Our first-ever run in Cape Town was at Theatre Arts,” said director Emma Amber after the show. “We actually got Fleur-du-Cap recognised,”
According to Amber, the production was nominated for best director, as well as for best new actress for the role of Betty-Jean (BJ).
“It was a different actress, Noluthando Dlamini,” said Amber. “Tiffany Miller very kindly stepped into the role for this Joburg leg, because Noluthando is doing incredible things on the cruise liners.”
According to choreographer Angelica Hattingh, Miller did an amazing job at teaching herself the choreography remotely prior to the show coming to Sandton. Hattingh celebrated Miller for learning the choreography to all 27 songs off of a phone, with videos trying to explain the steps.
“Tiffany was absolutely amazing; She learnt it all by herself in her apartment,” Hattingh said. “When we finally got together, two weeks before RedFest, that’s when we got to do it altogether, and I got to see her do it in person. So she’s been absolutely phenomenal.”
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/329557/a-biopic-in-celebration-of-an-extraordinary-life-and-musical-legacy/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/317917/a-night-of-musical-nostalgia-with-inanda-actress/
