Pictured | Amy McCleary
Mountain Theatre Company, Western North Carolina’s oldest professional theatre, is excited to welcome two dynamic directors to kick-off their summer season with The Marvelous Wonderettes, directed and choreographed by Amy McCleary, and Forever Plaid, directed and choreographed by Jonathan Van Dyke.
Both McCleary and Van Dyke are award-winning directors and choreographers making their MTC directorial debut this summer.
McCleary, who brings a passion for female-led stories, was immediately drawn to The Marvelous Wonderettes for its all-female cast and heartfelt storytelling. “There is something magical about a story that focuses solely on the relationship between women, “ she shares. With a nostalgic score and rich character work, McCleary and Executive Artistic Director, Scott Daniel are leaning into a “memory play” approach. “As you age, I believe we color our pasts with brighter memories,” she explains. “We’re imagining how the Wonderettes might look back on these special moments in their lives.”
As both director and choreographer, McCleary values the chance to unify vision and movement. “My movement is always based in storytelling,” she states. “By creating both the movement and the staging, I’m able to create one cohesive vision.”
Jonathan Van Dyke returns to a show close to his heart with Forever Plaid, which he calls “joyful, funny, sweet, tender, and crowd pleasing.”
Jonathan Van Dyke
Having performed in the show himself, he brings deep familiarity and affection to the production. “The whole is bigger than the sum of its parts,” he says. “At its heart it’s a tender message about dreams and friendship.”
Van Dyke, too, emphasizes ensemble. “This is a true ensemble cast,” he says. “How they work together and support each other is always wonderful to see.”
With two nostalgic, heartfelt musicals led by passionate and experienced directors, this summer promises to be a musical celebration of connection, memory, and timeless tunes.
The Marvelous Wonderettes and Forever Plaid will be presented in repertory with each other, offering audiences a fun and nostalgic summer experience.
This “girls vs boys” summer experience will pair the harmony-rich, female-led “Wonderettes” against the charming, all-male quartet of “The Plaids.” While the two shows may seem like vastly different entities, they share a common thread–a rich tapestry of harmonized voices that not only weave together in perfect blend to support the chord, but also beautifully reflect the way the characters support and uplift each other through friendship.
By running these shows in repertory, MTC invites audiences of all ages to experience the best of both worlds, celebrating the iconic sounds and styles of a bygone era.
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