Hot Summer Nights Goes Back in Time with THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES

Get ready to take a musical trip down memory lane. A non-stop pop musical blast from the past is coming to The Kennedy Theatre this summer when The Marvelous Wonderettes take the stage (June 29-July 10).

Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy is cruising back to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where you'll meet Betty Jean (Meredith Jones), Cindy Lou (Cassandra Zangas Vallery), Missy (Sherry Lee Allen*) and Suzy (Annie Gane). These four girls have hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts with voices to match! Audiences will be treated to the girls performing classic 50s and 60s hits like "Lollipop," "Leader of the Pack" and "It's My Party" as they laugh and learn about their lives and loves.

Returning to the director's chair to guide the starry-eyed ladies is Tito Hernandez. Hernandez, who is also choreographing the show, has become a regular with the Hot Summer Nights family. He's directed and choreographed a number of successful productions on the Kennedy stage including Personals, I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change and last season's smash hit, The Great American Trailer Park Musical.

"I love that I am given the opportunity to work with the local actors and actresses in a professional venue like Hot Summer Nights," says Hernandez, who also shared more about the show itself. He says, "What makes The Marvelous Wonderettes so much fun is that it is a nostalgic piece of American history that every one can identify with and the plot takes you on a hilarious roller coaster ride that covers every comical situation imaginable."
Hernandez's creative team includes Julie Bradley (Musical Director), Mette CJ Schladweiler (Production Stage Manager), Amy Wright (ASM), Chris Bernier (Set/Light Design), Eric Collins (Sound Design), Devra Thomas (Props) and LeGrande Smith (Costumes). Additional cast: Renee Church Wimberly (Swing).

Following The Marvelous Wonderettes will be a premiere of the new play, A Field of Glory (July 20-31) directed by Tony Award© nominee Lynne Taylor-Corbett (Swing!), followed by Violet (August 17-28) starring Lauren Kennedy* and closing the season, the already sold out performances of Oh, What a Night! (August 31 & September 1). Performances run Wednesday-Saturday at 8PM. Sunday matinees are at 3PM. Shows take place at the Kennedy Theatre inside the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. Tickets are $22.00 for general admission and $18 for senior adults, students and military (with ID). ). Two additional performances of Oh, What a Night! will be held at the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre at Barton College (September 3 & 4). Show tickets can be purchased by calling 866-811-4111 or online through the Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy website: www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org.

Hot Summer Nights at The Kennedy began in the summer of 2005 in an effort to bring a smaller and more intimate professional theatre to Downtown Raleigh. By having a strong group of producers who each have an extensive background in the arts, we are able to share an array of shows with our audiences by combining some of the best talent from both North Carolina and New York. From musicals to comedies to thought provoking dramas, Hot Summer Nights and its producers are proud to continue the excellence of bringing you our critically acclaimed summer series.

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