THE NAPA VALLEY PLAYHOUSE OPENED THE FINAL SHOW of its long-time residence at Napa’s River Park Shopping Center on Friday. “The Marvelous Wonderettes” by Roger Bean delights with good humor, fun style and a long list of memorable tunes from the ’50s and ’60s as four high school song leaders perform at their prom (“Lollipop,” “Stupid Cupid”) and later at their 10-year reunion party (“It’s In His Kiss,” “It’s My Party”).

Director Michael Ross has found four very entertaining young women and a fantastic costume designer (Barbara McFadden) for this light-hearted musical that is packed with silly, girlie fun. Casey Ellis captures the spirit of Missy, the shy and awkward group leader who shines at the mic. Sarah Lundstrom is hilarious as wounded girlfriend Betty Jean. Gianna DiGregorio is precious as the conceited but charming Cindy Lou, and LC Arisman rounds out the quartet with her own brand of naïve humor as sweet and giddy Suzy.

Playwright/composer Bean chose the perfect theme for this nostalgic period musical. What other topic has been more pervasive in pop music than that of young love?

As Bean’s tale follows the girls through their variously successful romances, the song list conveys their feelings of excitement, disillusionment and connection with their beaus, as well as with each other. Bean manages to arrange the spoken and sung stories in a way that flows so well, it doesn’t feel disjointed or amateurish, as some “jukebox musicals” can.

As the play opens, Principal Varney, heard over an aptly staticky PA system, welcomes the seniors to their big event. The four girls take the stage in their colorful, full-skirted prom dresses and start off their show with the dreamy “Mr. Sandman,” then segue quickly and smoothly into the more upbeat “Lollipop” and “Sugartime.” By their third number, the school’s spirit song, “Chipmunk Cheer,” Betty Jean reveals her inner prankster, and a conflict becomes apparent between her and Cindy Lou.

Highlights in the second act include “You Don’t Own Me” sung by Missy (Ellis), in which she gains a spine and lets her true love know she won’t wait around forever. Cindy Lou (DiGregorio) seems to drop the prima donna act and find a lustier vein in “Son of a Preacher Man,” and Suzy (Arisman) shines brightly in the “Suzy Medley,” revving things up with “Rescue Me” and concluding with an energized rendition of “Respect.”

Ellen Patterson directs an excellent five-piece band, seen behind a mostly opaque white screen behind the stage — a nice touch that enhances the overall musical effect. The combination of amateur-style singing with the small, highly polished instrumental ensemble creates an ambience that clearly evokes the high school scene. Together, the musicians and actors create a pleasing and satisfying balance of music and story.

Napa Valley Playhouse will be searching for new digs over the summer, meanwhile planning collaborations and “pop-up” performances at other Napa venues. Their current space at the River Park Shopping Center is scheduled for renovations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including installation of an elevator for the two-story theater space.

“We were offered a long-term lease at double the rent,” NVP artistic director Michael Ross lamented, an option he said is simply not feasible for the company. “Thankfully, the theater community in Napa is very supportive. We already have offers for storage space.” As for future plans, Ross said, “we will just have to think outside the box.”

Doors will close at the Napa Valley Playhouse after the final performance of Lucky Penny’s “Becky Shaw” on July 27. Visit http://luckypennynapa.com for more information about tickets and showtimes.

If You Go
“The Marvelous Wonderettes” continues at the Napa Valley Playhouse through June 8. Tickets are $15 to $30 and are available online at napavalleyplayhouse.org. For reservations and information call 707-255-5483.

Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She is also a substitute teacher for the Benicia Unified School District.