FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2012
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Biddy directs `The Marvelous Wonderettes’ at New Stage Theatre in Jackson

COLUMBUS, Miss. – The talent of some of Mississippi University for Women’s own will be showcased in the production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes” presented by New Stage Theatre in Jackson May 29-June 10.

Described as a “cotton-candy, colored, non-stop musical blast from the past,” the performance features favorite songs from the 50s and 60s. “The Marvelous Wonderettes” takes the audience to the 1958 Springfield High School Prom of Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match. Classics such as “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “It’s My Party” and “Respect” are a part of the show.

Director William “Peppy” Biddy said, “The songs of `The Marvelous Wonderettes’ represent some of the best from the 50s and the 60s. That coupled with the dynamic voices of the New Stage cast guarantee a fun-filled trip down memory lane for music lovers of all ages.”

The show is also very much “W” influenced. In addition to Biddy serving as director, David Carter, associate professor of theatre is designing sets; Allison Steadman, a 1996 theatre graduate who now teaches in South Carolina is designing costumes; and MUW theatre student Clara Seitz from Tupelo is completing her internship by working on the show.

"MUW is well represented in the current production at New Stage Theatre. The fact that MUW has two faculty members, one alum, and one current student all working on a professional production represents the influence our department has on the profession in the past and present and for the future," he said.

Biddy, chair of the Department of Music and Theatre at MUW, returns to New Stage Theatre after directing last season’s “The 39 Steps.” He has served as actor, director and stage manager for the Dallas Theatre Center, Casa Manana, Dallas Repertory Theatre, Dallas Children’s Theatre, Theatre Three, Dallas Summer Musicals and Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, Va. He also served as production manager for the Sundance Theatre Lab in Utah for 10 years.

The cast includes Actors’ Equity Association member Brittney Morello as Betty Jean (New York, N.Y.), Kelly Karcher as Suzy (Sewell, N.J.), Taylor Gavlin as Miss (Auburn, Ala.) and Mandy Kate Myers as Cindy Lou (Pearl).

Members of the band include music director Harlan Zackery Jr. on piano, De’Ryan Brister on drums, Amber Jones on keyboard and Jimmy Turner on guitar.

Preview night is Tuesday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. Curtain times and dates for all other performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $25 with discounts available for students, senior citizens and groups. Student Rush tickets are available one hour prior to each performance for $8 with valid student identification. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, located inside the Jane Reid Petty Theatre Center, charged by phone by calling the theatre at (601) 948-3531 or ordered online at www.newstagetheatre.com.

An Actor Chat will follow the performances on Wednesday, May 30 and Wednesday, June 6.

“The Marvelous Wonderettes” is sponsored by BCI, The Gertrude C. Ford Foundation and the Selby and Richard McRae Foundation.