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Step back to a time when soda shops, sock hops and drive-in movies were all the rage. “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” LaGrange College’s production that will run Wednesday, March 29-Friday, March 31 at Price Theater, will take the audience on a musical journey through some of the hits that made up the songbook of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

This high-octane jukebox musical features four young women who are members of an award-winning Song Leader squad who tell their stories of friendship and love through song.

“It’s an exciting trip down memory lane; nostalgic, charming and funny, with oldies but goodies!” said Professor of Theatre Arts Kim Barber Knoll, who directs and choreographs the show with Musical Director and Professor of Music Dr. Toni Anderson.

The first act features hits such as “Mr. Sandman,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lollipop” and “Sincerely.” The second act takes place ten years later, 1968, at the Wonderettes high school reunion. The girls will rock the house with “Heatwave,” “You Don’t Own Me,” “It’s My Party,” and “Respect.”

“I love a lot of these classic songs, especially the power ballads of the ’60s,” said senior Erika Hill, who plays the role of Missy.

She said Missy is an over-achiever and leader of the group.

“Missy is a perfectionist and head of the prom decorations committee. She gets things done,” Hill said.

A Music major, Hill said the tight harmonies in the show are challenging, and the cast has worked hard to perfect every note.

Freshman Aria Mabry plays Cindy Lou. “She knows she’s the prettiest girl at Springfield High, and she is fully expecting to be named Prom Queen.”

Mabry said we see a different side of her character at the high school reunion.

“A lot has happened to Cindy Lou in 10 years. She has matured and learned about love and loss, she said. “I have really enjoyed working on her character development.”

Freshman Aubrey Helton said her character Suzy is the optimistic ingenue: blonde, perky, and “going steady.”

“We see a more mature Suzy in Act Two, 1968,” she said. “Things haven’t been as rosy as she expected as a wide-eyed and hopeful high schooler.”

Freshman Isabella Rapoza said her character Betty Jean is the class clown and trickster of the group.

“She’s mischievous and daring,” she said. “She also goes through quite a change in 10 years.”

Rapoza said she and her grandfather share a love for this music.

“When I was learning these songs at rehearsal, I would remember listening to them in the car with my grandpa,” she said. “This music is very nostalgic. I think there will be a lot of audience members singing along.”

Curtain is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29 and Thursday, March 30. And new to the schedule are two shows on Friday, March 31: a matinee at 2 p.m. and the closing performance at 6 p.m.

Tickets can be reserved online only by emailing priceboxoffice@lagrange.edu. Guests must include the performance date and the number of people in the party. Seating is general admission, and the house will open 20 minutes before curtain. The show is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.