A Marvelous [Wonderettes] reunion!

I had a really cool opportunity last week to reprise another one of my roles. The South Valley Theater Association had an event to highlight some of the community theater in the area, and Midvale asked me and the other Wonderettes if we would be willing to perform a couple of numbers from our show. Of course, we jumped at the chance! We debated about which songs to perform and rehearsed our ten-minute set together just one evening before the tech rehearsal. We all admitted to being a little nervous about revisiting the show. Would we remember the harmony and choreography? Would we be able to find costumes that worked together, since our original costumes weren't available?

As luck would have it, the music and choreography had been so ingrained in our memories that all we needed was that brief refresher. We were also able to locate four poodle skirts of differing colors so we would look like we went together (thanks again for giving me your skirt, Mom)!

The event was well-organized and seemed to go fairly smoothly, barring some technical difficulties during our set. The other Councils said we were the only ones they could hear backstage, which might have more to do with the fact that we were one of the last acts so most of the others went into the audience to listen and there were fewer people backstage making noise. We had a TON of compliments afterwards. The audience members and people from all of the Councils (performers and producers) couldn't walk past any of us without telling us how fantastically we had sounded. I like to think we were one of the best acts, though there was a lot of talent there!

The lineup -- it went by quickly!

I was surprised that there hadn't been more advertising considering this was such a cool idea. Nine Arts Councils each brought something to share. A lot of us hung out backstage and listened to the others. I got to watch many during the one tech rehearsal. But even with the minimal advertisement, several of my friends came! I was so surprised and happy they made the effort! I just love this "showcase" idea. If they do it again next year, I'll be there, either as a performer (if invited) or an audience member.

One of the coolest things for me was seeing so many of my favorite theater people all in one place. I have performed with six out of the nine Councils represented and consequently knew quite a few of the people there. It's a weird truth that theater people can spend three months together, become really good friends... and then not see each other after the show ends... until the next show we do together! It makes me happy to have any excuse to see my friends in the interim. Even better when my friends from different shows get to know each other. The separate groups may not have done a lot of mingling during the show (we were pretty focused on our performances) but it was nice to be able to say "Hi" and support each other!

Long-time friend Theresa and her daughter

Toni taught my first "Theater School"
class nearly 20 years ago!

The Midvale crew at the SVTA tech rehearsal

My Into the Woods director, Wendy (she has already asked
me to audition for her show next summer -- woo-hoo!)

There have been so many productions that I loved doing so much I wished I could have a reunion, so this was a very cool opportunity. Unlike playing Amy in two different productions of Little Women, this time I reprised the same character with the very same cast! It was nice to have one last chance to work together and sing the songs we loved. Such a nice memory to cap a wonderful play!

With Paige, Melody, and Kristen one last time

Love you, my Wonderettes! Thank you for giving me one more chance to get it right! And thank you SVTA for organizing the whole thing!