The Marvelous Wonderettes

Return to the golden age when “girl groups” ruled the pop music universe with Capital Repertory Theatre’s presentation of The Marvelous Wonderettes.

This regional premiere takes place on one high school’s prom night, when a group of local singers have to fill in when the scheduled musical act cancels. There’s plenty of backstage, teenage drama and plenty of familiar songs: “It’s My Party,” “Stupid Cupid,” “It’s In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)” and many more.

The Marvelous Wonderettes opens for previews tonight (Thursday, May 27) at 7:30 PM at Capital Repertory Theatre (111 N. Pearl St., Albany). Opening night is Wednesday (June 2) and the show will run though Aug. 1. Performances will run Tuesday through Sunday with shows at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8 PM on Friday; 3 and 7:30 PM Saturday; and 3 PM Sunday. For ticket info and additional showtimes, visit capitalrep.org or call 462-4531.

 

Paul Taylor Dance Company

Jacob’s Pillow will open its season soon enough, but dance comes to the Berkshires this weekend with two performance by the legendary Paul Taylor Dance Company at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington. Paul Taylor is celebrating is 80th birthday by unveiling his two newest dances.

Saturday evening’s show will feature performances of Public Domain, the “erotic” Brief Encounters, and a “red-hot” tango, Piazzolla Caldera.

Sunday afternoon’s show will feature performances of the “blissful” Brandenburgs, the vaudeville-styled Also Playing, and Piazzolla Caldera.

Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform Saturday (May 29) at 8 PM and Sunday (May 30) at 3 PM at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle St., Great Barrington, Mass.). Tickets are $22-$62; call the box office at (413) 528-0100 for the various price offers for each performance.

 

Photo: Sally Peterson

Country Throwdown

Hee-haw! This all-day musical event, sponsored by local radio station WGNA-FM, is a country music lollapalooza. That’s right, this Sunday at SPAC, there will 19 performers on two stages and more cowboy hats than anywhere else east of Texas.

The mainstage headliner is Montgomery Gentry; there will also be performances by Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Jack Ingram, Eric Church, Eli Young Band, the Lost Trailers, Heidi Newfield, Oscar-winning songwriter Ryan Bingham (pictured), Emily West and Jonathan Singleton & the Grove.

On the Bluebird Café stage—fashioned after the legendary music nightspot in Nashville—the performers will include Ashley Ray, Brad Tursi, Cory Branan, Dave Pahanish, Jedd Hughes, Sarah Buxton, Troy Olson and Walker Hayes.

The Country Throwdown will be happening at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs) beginning at 1 PM on Sunday (May 30). Inside seats are $46 and $36; lawn tickets are $27; and a special lawn-ticket four-pack (which must be purchased in advance) is available for $65. For tickets, call (800) 745-3000.