Playhouse Stage Co. Opens 36th Season at Park Playhouse with the Marvelous Wonderettes

Albany, N.Y. (April 12, 2024) –Tonight, at Albany’s Park Playhouse in Washington Park, Playhouse Stage Company opens a new production of the delightful musical The Marvelous Wonderettes. The production will play through July 14, with 7:30pm evening performances on Tuesdays through Sundays, with no performances on Mondays or Independence Day. Playhouse Stage Company has been producing free, outdoor summer musicals at Albany’s Park Playhouse since 1989, and has been presenting musical theatre year-round at the historic Cohoes Music Hall since 2016.

Following previews on July 18 & 19, complimentary tickets are available throughout the run for members of the media and local theatre press who wish to cover or review the production. To request tickets, please email Owen Smith, Producing Artistic Director, at owen@playhousestage.org.

Called an “utter charm bomb” by the New York Times in its original, off-Broadway run in 2008, The Marvelous Wonderettes is a jukebox musical comedy with a book by Roger Bean. It tells the stories of a High School girls singing group becoming the impromptu entertainment at their Senior Prom in 1958. Then, the girls reunite and recount life’s highs and lows as they sing a return performance at their ten-year reunion in 1968. The show features some of the biggest pop hits of the ‘50s and ‘60s, including “Mr. Sandman,” “Lollipop,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Rescue Me,” “Dream Lover,” “Respect,” and many other beloved tunes.

Making their Playhouse Stage Company directorial debut helming The Marvelous Wonderettes is Ellie Frances, who also serves as choreographer for the production. Long-time Playhouse maestro Brian Axford serves as Musical Director, and leads the five-piece on stage band. The scenic design for the production is by Marc Christopher, with lighting by P.J. Davis, and costumes by AshleySimone Kirchner.

The five-person cast consists of Playhouse newcomers Madelyn Bunzie, Iraya Catalina, Jasmine Crosson, and Sid Syder, along with Playhouse Stage Academy graduate Emma Cornish, who was featured in last season’s Something Rotten.

Hillside seating, as always, is free and first-come, first-served. Premium reserved tickets are available online at www.playhousestage.org, in person, or by phone at 518-434-0776.