It’s always exciting to see a new venue being opened as the more arts we have for our communities the better but it’s especially exciting when a historic landmark is restored and renovated for us all to enjoy. Such is the case with the Murray Theater in downtown Murray. Originally opened in 1938 this beautiful building has been lovingly restored and I look forward to seeing many films and theatre in this space. They did a wonderful job with the restoration keeping everything simple and free from any modern touches outside of important updates like ADA accessibility to the stage. The seats they selected are also very comfortable and look great in the large auditorium with the stage. To welcome the new space Murray City is putting on the musical The Marvelous Wonderettes and it’s a ton of fun anyone will enjoy.

I have actually seen this musical many years ago and remembered it being on the dry side but perhaps I just got a bad iteration because I had a good time with it last night. In many ways it is like Forever Plaid which is playing at The Ruth. Both have 4 performers singing songs from the 1950s. Of course in FP the boys are dead but the structure of the show are similar. I bet if you like FP than you’ll like Wonderettes.

In such a simple show a lot of its success comes down to casting, and I liked all of our wonderettes. All 4 actresses are excellent singers and they have nice harmonies together (music director Lynn Chatterton.) The story they have for the women of singing at a prom in 1958 and then a reunion in 1968 for act 2 is thin but all we really need is an excuse for them to sing a bunch of bops together. Each actress has her moments but the standout is Eden Rhodes as Cindy Lou Huffington (the pink wonderette.) She has a bunch of low notes throughout, which she pulls off well. She also has the biggest character arc going from jealous at the prom to repentant and hopeful at the reunion. Jadyn Coffin is also very funny as Suzy Simpson (the blue wonderette) and she has a tumultuous relationship with the show’s lighting designer (the character is named Ritchie but the actual lighting designer isn’t credited in the program.) The cast is rounded out with Siri Reilly as Missy Miller (apricot wonderette) and Larissa Villers as Betty Jean Reynolds (green wonderette.)

The production is directed by Galen Chatterton with co-director Karen Chatterton and they did a good job developing the chemistry of the 4 ladies and aside from a little pinging on the microphones everything went off without a hitch. I particularly enjoyed when certain scenes involved a volunteer from the audience. The set is by Dwight Western and it creates the setting of a 1958 prom perfectly. Plus, they have to create the logo for the school mascot of a chipmunk. The brightly colored dresses are designed by Chad McBride and Karen Chatterton.

My favorite songs of the night are the songs I am less familiar with like “Allegheny Moon,” “Maybe,” and “Maybe I Know” but I also enjoy the standards like “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Respect,” “Lollypop” and more. By the end of the night you will have heard over 30 songs and who can dislike hearing the classics sung well? Not me!

Unfortunately tomorrow is the last day to see The Marvelous Wonderettes at The Murray Theatre but you should definitely try to attend if you can and keep an eye out for what will be coming to the newly renovated space. Tickets and more information can be found here.

The Marvelous Wonderettes is a jukebox musical featuring songs from a variety of artists. The book is by Roger Bean and it first premiered in 1999 with Off-Broadway runs in 2008 and 2016.

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