Ah, to be 18 again! Those who attended their high school prom


will surely remember those magic or tragic moments. That really depends on whom your date was that night or if you just took a good friend. When the dance takes place in Springfield, Illinois and the year of this prom is 1958, why, it’s a whole different generation of culture and sensibilities, huh? That is the premise for Roger Bean’s musical cavalcade of songs pre-


sented inThe Marvelous Wonderettes. This musical valentine for all generations is brought to the stage by the San Diego Musical Theatre on Friday, February 10 through Sunday, February 26. One of the stars of the show, Bets Malone, givesThe Rage Monthly an overview of this production and as one of the first actors cast in the long-running show [11 years now and still hopping], an inside glimpse into her role as “Suzy,” the magic moments in the musical and why the show continues to delight in its trip down memory lane.


I read that the writer and director, Roger Bean wrote the role of “Suzy” specifically for you. Will you tell me about that and also, your character in the show? Sure, I think it was 11 years ago now; I got an e-mail from Roger Bean. I had met


him when I was going to school in Utah and we became great friends. A few years later, he wrote to four girls, who didn’t know each other. But, they were all girls that he had known through different cities he had been. He said, “I’ve written a show and you’re perfect for it and, you’d be a fool to say ‘no.’” We all said “yes.” “Suzy” is kind of the poster child of the 1950s. She is the blond with the blue


BETS MALONE:


ONE OF THE STARS OF THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES DESCRIBES THE “WONDER” OF IT ALL by bill biss


eyes, girl next door. She’s kind of a cross between Doris Day and Gidget. She’s not too swift but no malice whatsoever. It sounds like a lot of fun. What do you enjoy most about it? The audience reaction to it. Now, I’ve done the show with 20 girls. I’ve done ev-


ery incarnation of the show including the show that went to New York. I’ve helped Roger [Bean] with teaching the girls in several cities. What I hear the most from cast mates is, “This is the most fun I’ve ever had in my whole life!” And, it really is… the audience embraces the show so much. It’s not often that you get to share the stage with girls who do what you do and


do it so well. This is a great opportunity to do a show with your peers. What is one of your favorite solo numbers to do in the show? “Stupid Cupid” because it’s just such a stupid, little silly, great song that really


represents the character. What is your biggest challenge in doing this musical? Pretty much, anyone who has done this particular show would agree with me


that it’s all about the vocal and physical stamina. We don’t leave the stage for almost two hours. It’s quite a workout. For instance, I’ve played the role of Evita Peron four times… this show is harder than Evita, It’s quite a challenge but it’s re- ally, really fun to do it. The girls who are doing it in San Diego have done it several, several times and nobody has wanted out yet! Please describe the unique appeal ofThe Marvelous Wonderettes. I do think this show is a phenomenon. We were two years in Los Angeles and it


was such a success. Then, we got the green light to perform it in New York—New York just embraced it. We have quite a few groupies now, there are quite a few who have seen the show over 40 times. One of the girls told me, The Marvelous Wonderettesis my happy place. I always remember that!


The Marvelous Wonderettes plays at the Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Avenue. For tickets and information call 858.560.5740 or go tosdmt.org.


20 RAGE monthly | FEBRUARY 2012


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