The Marvelous Wonderettes

Theatrikos, Flagstaff, AZ, April 2, 2026

Reviewed by Lynn Timmons Edwards

Theatrikos, under the artistic direction of Jeremy Blunt, has recently upped their game with regard to producing more musical theater and paying the actors and the creative staff. According to Blunt, “Everyone that worked on the production was paid union minimum wages, even though the scenic designer was the only formal union member. Three of the four actors are based in New York City. This is our first fully professional production.” The Marvelous Wonderettes is the poster child for a “Juke Box” musical. It was directed by Matthew Windham, best known for his work with the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival. Jay Mercado provided the musical direction more than 30 songs from the 1950s and 60s that were sung to tracks. The show worked because of the vocal talent of the four principals: Malina Walko as Missy, Tomi Newman as Betty Jean, Sarah Lepre as Suzy, and Becky Zaritsky as Cindy Lou. They traded off leads, but all the songs were delivered in tight four-part harmony.

The show premiered Off-Broadway in 2008 and has been produced worldwide. Scenic designer David Goldstein, costumer Tommy Elias, and lighting designer Shane Waltz were all new to Theatrikos, and they brought their combined professionalism to the stage. There is little to no plot or dramatic interaction between the characters other than a boyfriend competition (Act One takes place at their 1958 Senior Prom) and their later marital issues (in 1968 at their 10th reunion), both of which help introduce and connect the pop tunes.

The audience is showered with songs, way too many to list here. Some of the highlights that showcased the choreographic talent of Leslie Ptak Baker (one of the theater’s resident teaching artists) were “Mr. Lee” (The Bobette’s 1957) and “RESPECT” (Otis Redding; made famous by Aretha Franklin). All the women were strong performers and kept the energy level moving at a rapid pace. Each had her moment to shine. Lepre is a particularly strong actress, and she put herself out there in every scene. She was my pick for Prom Queen; she wasn’t the prettiest girl, but she was the strongest talent. It turns out that the script calls for her to win the crown anyway., the audience’s votes are not counted. She was darling on “Stupid Cupid” (Howard Greenfield/Neil Sedaka) and defiant on “Maybe I Know” (Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich). Zaritsky, who by day is the Flag Shakes’ Executive Director, knocked the socks off “Son of a Preacher Man” (John Hurley/Jonnie Wilkins). She had a trio of songs that focused on her character in Act II. She made the most of it. Walko as Missy, whose crush on Mr. Lee turns into a real marriage proposal at their ten-year reunion, sang her heart out. The characters recruited a man seated in the front row to play Mr. Lee and he was the perfect goon. Newman likewise brought professionalism to the show.

Theatrikos debuted a new sound system, and it filled the intimate theater. I saw the preview performance, and there were times when the backing tracks overpowered the vocals, but I am confident that those kinks will be worked out. Singing to tracks has its challenges, and the women were well-rehearsed and on top of it. Their harmonies blended perfectly and brought the audience back decades to sounds of the 1950s and 60s.