Stage Review - The Marvelous Wonderettes - Dream On (Jewel Box Theatre)

Stage Review - The Marvelous Wonderettes - Dream On
Presented By: Jewel Box Theatre - Poulsbo, WA
Show Run: June 05 - June 28, 2026
Date Reviewed: Friday, June 26, 2026 (Closing Weekend)
Run Time: 2 Hours, 15 Minutes (including at 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed by: Greg Heilman

Since Roger Bean introduced audiences to The Wonderettes (Cindy Lou, Missy, Betty Jean, and Suzy) more than 25 years ago, the quartet has continued to return in new productions that allow audiences to follow them through different stages of life. Dream On, the fourth installment in the series, reunites the friends at their ten-year high school reunion, where memories are rekindled, old rivalries resurface, and a soundtrack of familiar hits carries them—and the audience—through another nostalgic evening. Jewel Box Theatre’s production, directed, choreographed, and musically directed by Trina Williamson, closed its run on June 28 in Poulsbo with a show filled with nostalgia and performances that resonated strongly with audiences.

The musical is a tale of two acts, the first set in the late 1960s and the second ten years later, each taking place at high school reunions. It isn’t just a show with music that harkens back to a familiar time, especially for older audiences, but it asks those audiences to immerse themselves in the action, even interacting with a few select attendees, bringing them directly into the story. But it’s the familiar songs that have made this series so popular. Musically, I dare anyone not to recognize most of the songs, though early in the first act, I found myself questioning whether the song selections truly fit the show’s late-1960s setting. Several of the numbers felt more closely associated with the 1970s than the era the Wonderettes were revisiting, and it briefly seemed as though the production had taken some creative liberties with the timeline. During intermission, however, a quick fact check revealed that my memory had been playing tricks on me. While many of the songs would go on to become defining hits of the 1970s, they had in fact debuted in the late 1960s, making them perfectly appropriate for the show’s setting.

The selections capture a transitional period in popular music, when the polished girl-group harmonies of the early and mid-1960s were giving way to a fuller, more contemporary sound. That transition benefits the first act, where the arrangements provide frequent opportunities for the quartet’s harmonies to take center stage. As the production moves into its second act, however, the song selection shifts toward material that naturally favors individual vocal performances over tightly woven harmonies. The result is a slight loss of momentum, not because of the performances themselves, but because the music no longer leans into the element that has long made the Wonderettes series so distinctive.

As with every Wonderettes production, the songs are only part of the equation. The real appeal lies in hearing four distinct voices blend together in the style of the vocal groups that inspired the series, and this quartet excels in that regard. The harmonies, particularly throughout the first act, are exceptionally well balanced, allowing each singer to remain identifiable while producing a unified sound that becomes the evening’s musical highlight.

Among the quartet, Angela Maria Reyes is the standout as Cindy Lou. She brings the most energy to her solo performances, displaying excellent vocal control and an impressive range while never sacrificing the warmth that defines the character. Her rendition of “You’re No Good” introduces a soulful quality that broadens the show’s musical palette, and throughout the evening she feels the most naturally at home within the Wonderettes style. Whether leading a number or blending into the ensemble, Angela consistently anchors the production vocally.

Anna Borer embraces Suzy’s lovable, somewhat ditzy personality with an easy charm that keeps the comedy natural rather than forced. Becca Stipp gives Betty Jean just the right amount of attitude, leaning into her role as the group’s resident gossip while matching Angela with confident, well-balanced solo vocals whenever the spotlight turns her way. Erin Abbott completes the quartet as Missy, contributing strongly to the group’s harmonies throughout the evening. While there are moments where a bit more vocal presence during some solo passages would strengthen the performance, she remains an important part of the quartet’s overall sound.

The actors do well in the periods between their songs, in the storytelling, though that is little more than connective tissue tying the musical numbers together. That said, to a person they understand their characters and the unique humor that each brings to the group and deliver a good share of laughs between them.

Visually, the production wisely keeps its focus on the performers. The simple scenic design, centered around a raised platform within the proscenium stage, provides everything the show requires without unnecessary distraction. Sharon Greany’s costumes do much of the heavy lifting in establishing both the period and each character’s personality, while the set dressing further reinforces the late-1960s atmosphere. Together, they create an inviting sense of nostalgia that supports the storytelling rather than competing with it.

The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On proves the series has remained popular for more than two decades. These shows are ultimately less about the individual songs than they are about four women whose friendship is expressed through harmony. While the second act doesn’t quite capture the same musical spark created by the harmony-rich arrangements of the first, Jewel Box Theatre’s production delivers plenty of charm, polished vocal performances, and an enjoyable evening of nostalgia. It’s another reminder that, when these four voices come together, the Wonderettes’ magic remains very much intact.

The Wonderettes: Dream On has closed at the Jewel Box Theatre in Poulsbo, but if you’d like to know more about the organization and upcoming programs and shows, visit https://www.jewelboxpoulsbo.org/.

Photo credit: Kathy Berg