‘Winter Wonderettes’ – Written and Created by Roger Bean. Directed and Choreographed by Sara Coombs. Musical Direction by Lea Peterson; Scenic Design by Rachel Rose Roberts; Lighting Design by John Holmes; Costume Design by Kelly Baker; Sound Design by John Stone. Presented by the Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, the production runs through December 22nd.
by Judy Katzman
It’s that wonderful time of year when classic Christmas songs can be heard everywhere – on car radios, in malls, offices, and restaurants. The songs are a festive soundtrack that plays in the background as we go about our busy lives. If you are looking for a theater experience that allows you to jump back in time and be bathed in the spirit of the holiday season, Winter Wonderettes fills the bill. During the two-hour show, some of the most beloved and well-known Christmas songs are brought to life by a talented four-woman cast with flair, humor, and plenty of nostalgia.
From the very first note, the pitch-perfect harmony invites us to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the outside world and immerse ourselves in a simpler time – the 1968 employee holiday party at Harper’s Hardware Store. Here, four women have cooked up a treat for their fellow employees (the audience serves as the Harper’s Hardware employees). Missy (Lisa Kate Joyce), Cindy Lou (Pearl Scott), Betty Jean (Sarah Morin) and Suzy (Talia Cutulle) entertain the Harper’s Hardware family with an array of Christmas songs as they build anticipation for the big moment – the arrival of Santa Claus. When things don’t go exactly as planned, the women have to come up with other ways to entertain the Harper’s Hardware crowd.
The hardware store set and props are put to good use by the cast as they constantly sing, dance and energetically move about the stage, however the action is not limited to what we see in front of us. The clever use of audience members as well as elements of the lighting enhance the story and make the audience feel like holiday party guests.
All four women have strong voices, and when they sing together on songs like “Little St. Nick,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” the harmonies are gorgeous. All are expressive and playful, often catching an audience member’s eye and singing to them directly. Each character possesses qualities that differentiate them. It was a wise decision to highlight these qualities during solo performances, as there were several songs that allowed the actors to let their unique qualities shine. While all of the performances were entertaining, two show-stoppers came in the second act. Talia Cutulle’s fabulous and funny tap dance to “Here Comes Suzy Snowflake” had everyone laughing and clapping, and Lisa Kate Joyce’s Missy, with her Sally Field looks and her actions reminiscent of Kristen Wiig’s Target Lady, was hysterical singing “Hang all the Mistletoe.”
The story could have been developed more, and the end of the first act felt rushed and left the audience with questions that weren’t addressed in the second act, but the show is really about the Christmas songs, the cute choreography and the humor, so these are minor shortcomings. What matters is that you leave this show feeling good, energized, and in the holiday spirit. The next time you hear a favorite Christmas tune playing in the background, you might just smile as it brings you back to 1968, when the ladies at Harper’s Hardware brought that song to life in vivid color. For tickets and information, go to: https://www.greaterbostonstage.org/
