The Marvelous Wonderettes
🔴 SOLD OUT 🔴
Written & Created by Roger Bean
Musical Arrangements by Brian William Baker
Orchestrations by Michael Borth
Vocal Arrangements by Roger Bean & Brian William Baker
Friday, June 18-Sunday, June 27 | Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30PM; Sundays at 2:00PM
Fort Salem Theater Mainstage (11 E Broadway, Salem, NY 12865)
Directed by Kyle West
Music Directed by John Norine Jr
Choreographed by Kyle West & Susi Thomas
Created by Roger Bean
About the show:
This smash Off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy: four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives and loves, the girls serenade us with classic ‘50s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” and “Lipstick on Your Collar.” In Act II, the Wonderettes reunite to take the stage and perform at their ten-year reunion. We learn about the highs and lows the girls have experienced in the past decade and are charmed to find that no matter what life throws their way, they will conquer it together. Featuring hit songs of the ’50s and ’60s, The Marvelous Wonderettes will keep you smiling in this must-take musical trip down memory lane!
Originally Produced for the New York Stage by
David Elzer, Roger Bean & Peter Schneider.
The Marvelous Wonderettes premiered at Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Joseph Hanreddy, Artistic Director and Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director.
Presented by special arrangement with Stage Rights (www.stagerights.com).
Cast and Creative Team:
Kallie Ann Tarkleson
Suzy
Kallie Ann Tarkleson (Suzy) is a New York-based actress currently working towards her BFA in musical theatre at Nazareth College. She has appeared on stage all over the Capital Region and Central New York in shows such as RENT: Workshop 360 (Maureen), WOLVES (#46), SHREK (Fiona), A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (Sally Brown), CALVIN BERGER (Bret - TANYS Award for Excellence in Performance), GREASE (Marty), and SEUSSICAL (Gertrude McFuzz). She was seen in the collegiate premiere of CHAPLIN THE MUSICAL (Usher) at Nazareth College directed by Valerie Wright. She also worked on the musical workshop of MODERN with book and lyrics by Derek Gregor and Selda Sahin. She has directed and choreographed multiple shows for local elementary and middle schools. She was also a vocal/acting coach and counselor for SCC Theatre Kidz! To learn more about Kallie Ann stop by her website (kallieanntarkleson.com) and her Instagram (@kallieanntarkleson)
Iris Rogers
Cindy Lou
Iris Rogers (Cindy Lou) is a graduate of Purchase College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Operatic Studies and vocal performance. She has appeared onstage in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Olive), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Audrey), HÄNSEL und GRETEL (Hänsel), THE CRUCIBLE (Rebecca Nurse), and doubled in L’INCORONAZIONE di POPPEA as Arnalta and Nutrice. Iris also owns a local business in Hebron, (Homestead Hemp 1787) and recently hit a viral wave when she started sharing stories about her family farm on Tiktok.
Heather Hayes
Betty Jean
Heather Hayes (Betty Jean), is a rising senior at South Glens Falls High School, is both overjoyed and humbled to be making her Fort Salem Theater debut. Recent credits include WEST SIDE STORY (Maria) at Broadway Upstate, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Woman 1), and DAMN YANKEES (Lola) at South Glens Falls High School. She wishes to thank the entire production team for this amazing opportunity. Love and thanks to Mom, Dad, Catherine and Gemma. Follow her on Instagram @hayesheatherm www.heathermhayes.com
Jenna Wilkinson
Missy
Jenna Wilkinson (Missy) is thrilled to be making her debut with Fort Salem Theater. She currently attends Russell Sage College where she studies Criminal Justice, Law, and Behavioral Science. Onstage, she has performed in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Millie), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Olive), HEATHERS (Veronica), and INTO THE WOODS (The Baker's Wife) among others. Jenna has also been a stagehand for multiple youth theatre productions around the capital region as well as the co-stage manager for Staging Youth's Future Inc's production of MARY POPPINS.
Kyle West
Director, Co-Choreographer,
Costume Designer
,
Covid Compliance Officer
Kyle is the Executive and Artistic Director of Fort Salem Theater, and has directed and choreographed large scale productions across the country, including EVITA, WHITE CHRISTMAS, GYPSY, HAIRSPRAY, CABARET, CHICIAGO, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, RENT and many more.
For his work, he has received the AriZoni Award, MET Award, Annie Award and BroadwayWorld.com Award, among others.
As an actor, Kyle’s professional credits include FOOTLOOSE (Ren), WEST SIDE STORY (Action), GREASE (Eugene), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (LeFou), GODSPELL (Judas), and commercials for American Eagle Outfitters, Sony, American Airlines, the current marketing campaign for Broadway’s DEAR EVAN HANSEN, as well as All My Children (circa 2004).
John Norine Jr.
Music Director, Technical Director
Covid Compliance Officer
John has been active as a music director and conductor across Texas since 2005 - working at the community, educational, and professional levels and music directing over 75 shows during that time. Originally from Utica, NY, John is a graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High School and SUNY Potsdam/The Crane School of Music, where he studied music theory. He then moved to Dallas, where he graduated from the University of North Texas with a Master’s in Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degree, studying Orchestral Conducting under Anshel Brusilow and Clay Couturiaux.
In addition to his musical direction activities, John has been active as an orchestrator and arranger. Between 2002 and 2008, he worked with the Lost Composers Collection at the University of North Texas, a special musical collection of the University that specialized in lost works of Jewish composers between 1930 and the end of the Second World War. He completed a new orchestration of Paul Kletzki’s Piano Concerto, Op. 21 (recorded by pianist Joseph Banowetz and the Moscow Philharmonic) for release on the Naxos label; the recording was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2010 (Best Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra).
Susi Thomas
C
o-Choreographer,
Properties Design
Susi made her professional debut at the age of 12 at Ashcroft Theater in the UK. She then went on to earn her BA in Dance from the University of Surrey, where she worked as a professional dancer and choreographer. Later, Susi set up her own Dance and Theatre company, Charlie's Works, in London and was always kept busy with product launches, fashion shows and reviews for renowned companies such as Tommy Hilfiger and British Airways. Since her arrival in the States she has choreographed and produced shows for the likes of Adirondack Childrens Troupe, Salem Central School, Salem Courthouse, Fort Salem Theater, Queensbury High School, Long Trail School (Dorset Vermont) and Broadway Upstate (Glens Falls, NY).
In Salem, Susi is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, and owner of Susiworks LLC.
Maggie Turoff
Lighting Designer
Maggie Turoff (Lighting Designer) is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she is pursuing a BFA in lighting design. She is very excited to be part of Fort Salem’s reopening and so grateful for the opportunity to make live theatre safely. Recent school design credits include filmed productions of Sweat and OUR LADY OF 121st STREET as well as five pieces in the live streamed Spring Dance Concert. Professionally, she has worked at Bard SummerScapes, Sharon Playhouse, and HalfMoon Theatre. Maggie is on the over hire list for IASTE 635 where she occasionally works on concerts and other events in Winston-Salem. In her free time she likes to make art, knit, read, and fly hot air balloons. For more of Maggie’s work, visit turoffdesign.com.
Marcia “M” Wilcox
Co-Costume Designer
M has been a seamstress and costume designer/maker for forty years.
She has created costumes for the movie SINS OF THE MIND (Jill Clayburgh); the Banning Ghostriders (Old West reenactment troupe); the Renaissance Pleasure Faire; San Diego ComicCon; Aadya Bazaar (ethnic fashions), various plays and musicals at theaters across Florida, California, and New York, and all sorts of costumed events.
Her costumes have consistently won top awards in costume contests.
M's designer label and shop, Spryte Originals, operated for twenty years in San Diego, California.
Cindy Rogers
Costume Assistant
Cindy is an elementary teacher at Salem Central, where she costumed many high school and elementary plays. In addition, she costumed productions for Adirondack Children's Troupe, Schuylerville Community Theater, the Salem Courthouse, and the local Footlighters. She assisted with costumes in many Fort Salem productions over the years as well.
Logan Coley Broker
Wig Designer
Logan Coley Broker is a Dallas, TX based wig designer, actor, and cosmetologist who is proud to have his work featured in the first production at The Fort Salem Theater under the direction of Kyle Christopher West. He is also a nationally acclaimed drag queen under the stage name Eva DeLeon and a former Miss Gay USofA Newcomer (2018). He studied Theater and Costume Design at Texas Women's University and received his Certification in Cosmetology from North Central Texas College. He recently got engaged to his 'Marvelous' partner of 5 years, Tucker Faught, and couldn't be happier.
Donna-Lynn Greene
Properties Designer
Donna-Lynn Greene has thirty years experience in the public school system, where she specialized in special needs education on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Along with her husband, Donna-Lynn is also a small business owner with decades of business leadership in various industries, including: elderly care, vacation home rentals, house cleaning, deli services, and arcade/amusement parks. Theatrically, Donna-Lynn has designed and sourced stage properties and costumes for plays and musicals across New England since 1998.
Tina Masercola Hayes
Properties Designer
Tina Masercola Hayes, is happy to see theater thriving again and excited to help out The Fort Salem Theater team, Currently, Tina wears many hats at Broadway Upstate in Hudson Falls. She currently co-advises middle and high school drama programs in South Glens Falls where she teaches 6th grade. She has performed with Glens Falls Community Theater in A Bad Year for Tomatoes and I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change. Tina’s motto, “Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back, and realize they were the big things.”
Autumn Fleming
Spotlight Operator
Autumn Fleming is a creative artist and rising senior at Salem Central School whose YA high fantasy novel Virago is published and currently available on Amazon.com. After graduating, she plans to attend a NYC college and get her master's in journalism. This is Autumn's first experience working with spotlights. Keep up to date with her creative projects on social media: Twitter: @Fandoms_Rise Instagram: @rising_fandoms Website: queenofwar42.wixsite.com/risingfandoms
Jared West
Audition Accompanist,
Box Office Manager
Jared West is thrilled to be part of the Capital District theatre community and join the board for Fort Salem Theater. He has previously served on a theater board in Mesa, Arizona, acted as President of HOA boards in Phoenix and in Dallas, and has spent a lot of time both onstage as a performer and behind the scenes as a music director or pianist. He has a BA in Russian from Arizona State University and an MA in Slavic Languages and Literature from University of Washington. Professionally, Jared has been in the leadership development space for the past 8 years with American Airlines, and just joined First New York Federal Credit Union as their Training Manager.
Onstage, Jared was most recently seen in A New Brain (Roger) and A Man of No Importance (Sully O’Hara), and behind the keys for several shows in the Dallas area, including Ebenezer Scrooge, White Christmas, AIDA and Gypsy. Other favorite roles are Ragtime (Younger Brother), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson) and Cabaret (Cliff).
Roger Bean
Writer & Creator
Roger Bean created the long-running hit The Marvelous Wonderettes (over 1,200 performances Off-Broadway), along with the sequels Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns, Winter Wonderettes, Wonderettes: Dream On, and the new large-cast Wonderettes: Glee Club Edition. Original cast albums for all Wonderettes shows are available from iTunes and Amazon. The Marvelous Wonderettes received the 2007 LA Ovation Award for Best Musical for its record-breaking Los Angeles run and continues to be an audience favorite in theatre companies throughout the country. Mr. Bean’s do-wop hit Life Could Be A Dream had a record-breaking 12-month run in Los Angeles, receiving the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, the LA Weekly Theatre Award, and the Backstage Garland Award for Outstanding Musical. Other popular musicals created by Mr. Bean include The Andrews Brothers, Summer of Love, Route 66, Honky Tonk Laundry, and Why Do Fools Fall In Love?, all published by Stage Rights. More info at www.rogerbean.com