Milligan University’s production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns ’58,” a musical set at the graduation of four friends in 1958, featured a soundtrack of nostalgic ’50s and ’60s hits for its two-show run on Nov. 8 and 9 in Lower Seeger.The show, which took place in Lower Seeger Auditorium, had a nearly sold-out opening night. Along with its throwback playlist, the show featured many funny moments as well as audience interaction with some of the characters.
The cast included freshman musical theater and biblical and theological studies major Irie Manning from Etowah, Tennessee, as Missy; senior musical theater major Anna Shelton of Kokomo, Indiana, as Cindy Lou; sophomore musical theater major Hope Krell of Telford, Tennessee, as Suzy; junior graphic design major Ariana Floyd of Bristol, Tennessee, as Betty Jean; and freshman musical theater major Sallie Hatfield of Seymour, Tennessee, as Chester and Swing.
For Manning, the audition process was new and challenging.
“This was my first time auditioning for anything college-wise,” Manning said. “I didn’t know how to read music when I first came here, so I was definitely a little bit jittery and nervous for the auditions. But it went over really well.”
Though there were nerves, Manning had reason to audition.
“I’ve been in musical theater for many years now. I’m also on a scholarship this year, so it’s a part of my requirements to audition, which honestly, I’m not against,” she said.
In addition to stepping out of her comfort zone by auditioning for the musical, Manning stepped into some of her favorite aspects of being on stage.
“I get to act more confident on stage than I act in real life,” she said. “There are many things that I do on stage that I would never do in real life. It’s no longer me, it’s Missy.”
The rest of the cast also enjoyed the experience.
“The cast has had a blast with the comradery of the ‘Wonderettes’ and has loved digging into the trends of the 1950s,” said the show’s director, adjunct music instructor Alena Carhart, according to a Milligan press release. “They are a tight-knit group, so it’s been a joy seeing them bring these characters to life, ranging from the scholastic overachiever Missy to the witty troublemaker Betty Jean.” Carhart collaborated with assistant director Mareena Rodriguez, adjunct instructor of music, applied voice, and musical theater; choreographer Rebekah Knisley, instructor of dance; music director and conductor Steve Sensenig; and stage manager Ryan Jamerson, a senior musical theater major from Limestone, Tennessee.
The technical crew included sophomore Ian Haagen, a theater arts major from Johnson City, and Abby Tramel, a child youth development major from Johnson City.
header image: “The Marvelous Wonderettes perform on opening night (left to right): Irie Manning, Anna Shelton, Hope Krell and Ariana Floyd
text and picture by Nicholas Caporaso