GBSC’s ‘Winter Wondrettes’ spreads holiday harmony

By Rich Fahey

STONEHAM – There’s nothing wrong with a holiday show that’s a bit hokey and corny. If those qualities were disqualifying factors, then we wouldn’t still be watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34^th Street.”

No, the test is whether the cast and director can lift the material in question and make it the best it can be, and here the answer is check and check.

The Greater Boston Stage Company’s production of Roger Bean’s “Winter Wonderettes” follows in the footsteps of the then-Stoneham Theatre’s 2013 production of Bean’s first effort in the series, “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” That takes place at Springfield High’s 1958 prom, where the characters of Suzy, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Betty Jean were introduced.  performing for their classmates.

Fast forward a decade to 1968, and Suzy (Talia Cotulla), Cindy Lou (Pearl Scott), Betty Jean (Sarah Morin) and Missy (Lisa Kate Joyce) have been honored by being named the entertainment at the holiday party for Harper’s Hardware Store in Springfield.

That gives them a chance to perform tight four-part harmonies (under the music direction of Lea Peterson) of 1960s holiday hits that will often remind you of the style and arrangements used by the Andrews Sisters. One particularly effective harmonic number in Act I is “Snowfall.” The quartet repurposes the iconic “Mr. Sandman” into a delightful “Mister Santa.”

The characters’ oft-messy personal lives become part of the plot and just where is the missing Santa Claus – supposedly the store owner Mr. Harper —  who is introduced several times but who never quite makes it to the chair  

Sara Coombs’ skills as an actor. director and choreographer have enhanced and lifted many GBSC productions in the past, and here she is right in her wheelhouse, keeping the quartet in constant motion and the pace brisk.

Lisa Kate Joyce has done some fine work in GBSC shows such as “Guys and Dolls,” “Clue” and “Les Salonnieres” and her Missy — just back from a honeymoon and googly eyes to her husband in the audience —is a take-charge type who shines in “This Christmas.”

Sarah Morin was a delight in Central Square’s recent “Hound of the Baskervilles” and here is the feisty Betty Jean, the erstwhile group leader who spies an   imagined colleague in the audience and serenades him with “What Are You Doing on New Year’s Eve?”

Talia Cutulle, returning to GBSC after a long absence, has her time in the spotlight as Suzy in “Here Comes Susie Snowflake.”

Pearl Scott makes her GBSC debut as the vivacious Cindy Lou, who voices a poignant Christmas memory in Act II’s “All Those Christmas Cliches.”

The show takes a dark turn when Mr. Harper suddenly delivers a 1-2 punch to the gut when. instead of bonuses, all of the employees get notes saying they are fired, and the hardware store is to close. Think Jimmy Stewart when Uncle Billy loses the $8,000 in deposits. Will the entire workforce be thrown out on its ear just before Christmas?

In Act II the interactive portion of the show heats up as an audience member  fills in for the absent Santa as the quartet turns up the temperature with a sultry edition of “Santa Baby.”

Even an unsuspecting and reluctant reviewer is lured onstage with other audience members to provide musical accompaniment for  the medley number “Ring Those Christmas Bells/Sleigh Ride/Jingle Bells.”

A four-piece orchestra backstage provided skilled and enthusiastic musical backup, but at a recent performance needed to tone it down a bit when it came to solo numbers, as it threatened to overwhelm the voices.

“Winter Wonderettes” is great fun, meant to provide all in the audience not only a healthy dose of holiday humor and song, but a timely respite from the stresses of the holiday season.

The Greater Boston Stage Company production of “Winter Wonderettes.” Written and created by Roger Bean. Directed and choreographed by Sara Coombs. Music 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. At the Greater Boston Stage Company through Dec. 22. Greaterbostonstage.org.