For those unfamiliar with the story, “The Wedding Singer” was a 1998 movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore that was turned into a musical in 2006. The musical featured music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. The short synopsis, from the Guide to Musical Theatre, is: “It’s the ’80s. Robbie Hart lives in his grandmother’s basement in New Jersey and sings in a wedding band. His dreams of being a singer/songwriter are long gone, replaced now by a burning desire to find the right girl and settle down. When his fiancee leaves him standing at the altar, he becomes a wedding planner’s worst nightmare, taking out his bitterness on stage until his eye and heart turn to a new friend, Julia, but she’s engaged to a wealthy Wall Street broker.” They also have a longer synopsis of the musical.
REP has been working on getting this musical for two years. They almost had it last year, but the rights were yanked due to an aborted National tour. This year it made it to the stage, and boy did they have fun with it. From the casting to the direction to the technical, this production was just a blast to watch.
Leading the cast were Will Fogarty as Robbie Hart and Sarah Brandonæ as Julia Sullivan. These two were perfect, and will make you forget Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. They captured the vulnerability of the characters, while being great singers and having great chemistry. Their tenderness was just perfect, and was a joy to watch.
The supporting roles were equally strong. Chairman Barnesæ (Sammy) and Ever Pabon Torres (George) were great as Robby’s band and friends. Barnes had that wonderful white trash vibe, while Torres was a hoot in a Boy George-like role (and you should here him do shehekianu). Julia’s friends were played by Jill Kocalis Scottæ (Holly), Bess Fanningæ, and Christina Rideoutæ (Angie). Of these, Ms. Scott was spectacular playing the skanky whore best friend. Rounding out the supporting cast were Jill’s husband, Jarod Scott as Glen Guglia and Kelly Bader as Linda. Mr. Scott was spectacular, especially in his standout number, “All About The Green”.
Rouding out the cast was an extremely talented ensemble that played multiple roles with multiple wigs and costumes. This ensemble made the show, and consisted of Johnny Schwinn, Bill McBee, Charlotte Ruiz, Walter Lee Perkins III, Laura Biery, and Amber Clark.
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Technically, this show demonstrated the creativity that is a hallmark of the REP: the theatre that does the best with what they have. Mikee Schwinn did the video projections—these are noteworthy, for they truely turned the ordinary into the spectacular. Mikee had the show introduced by Max Headroom; he had classic 1980s MTV videos for the scene changes; he had Back to the Future references everywhere; he introduced the second act with the “A Team” theme—he went over the top on making the 1980s come alive. Laura Clark Greaver did the costume design, and found correct costumes and correct fabrics that also made the 1980s. The makeup and hair designer wasn’t in the program, but he did a great job recreating that 80s hair, both the big and the strange. The lighting was by REP regular Tim Christianson, who brought that disco feel without the need for moving lights; sets were by REP regular Jeff Hyde who established the 1980s simply and colorfully (including Pac Man); and sound was by Steven “Nanook” Burkholder, who miced the actors without making them seem amplified. Perfect.
The production featured choreography by Nicole Dionne, and vocal direction by Tamarah Ashton-Coombs. The production was directed by Ovington Michael Owston and Mikee Schwinn, who obviously had a blast. Lauren Pearsall was the production stage manager.
Go see this production. You’ll have a wonderful time. “The Wedding Singer” continues through June 19. Tickets are available through the REP Online Box Office, and may be available through Goldstar and LA Stage Tix.
Upcoming Theatre and Dance. June starts with “Peter Pan” at Nobel Middle School (June 3-5—we’re going June 5) and the “One Acts Plays” at Van Nuys High (June 2-4—we’re going June 4) [again, nsshere is acting in the One Acts], as well as the legacy tour of Merce Cunningham at the Walt Disney Concert Hall (June 6 @ 2pm) for Karen and Erin, and the new “Meeting of Minds” (Steve Allen (host) [Jack Maxwell], Congressional Medal of Honor winner Smedley Darlington Butler [Dan Lauria], Medal of Honor recipient and Civil War Doctor Mary Edwards Walker [Wendie Malick], Saint Patrick of Ireland [Jim Handy], and Saint Joan of Arc [Stana Katic]) at Greenway Court Theater for me (June 6 @ 6pm). Whew! A busy weekend. But, as there’s no rest for the wicked, June 13 brings “South Pacific” at the Ahmanson, with the regularly scheduled June “Meeting of Minds” (Episode #10: Voltaire (Ray Abruzzo); Martin Luther (Mark Moses); Plato; Florence Nightingale [Sharon Lawrence]; with Steve Allen (Gary Cole) hosting) on June 20. As for July, the month starts with “In The Heights” at the Pantages on July 3, and the Western Corps Connection in Riverside on July 5. The next weekend (July 10 @ 8pm) is the first show of the 2010-2011 Colony season, “Grace & Glorie”. That weekend may also bring “It’s Top Secret”, a musical that is part of the Festival of New American Musicals, running Jun 19-July 18 at the NoHo Arts Center (likely July 11). It may also bring “CHiPS: The Musical” at the Falcon Theatre (pending ticketing). The remainder of July brings ; “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” at REP East on July 17 (pending ticketing); the July “Meeting of Minds on July 18, and “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” at Cabrillo Music Theatre on July 24. Plus July will possibly bring some ventures out to the Hollywood Bowl. Lastly, looking to August, we will hopefully find “Rent” at the Hollywood Bowl (pending ticketing); “Young Frankenstein” at the Pantages, the August “Meeting of Minds”, and “Side Man” at REP East.
As always: live theatre is a gift and a unique experience, unlike a movie. It is vitally important in these times that you support your local arts institutions. If you can afford to go to the movies, you can afford to go to theatre. If you need help finding ways, just drop me a note and I’ll teach you some tricks. Lastly, I’ll note that nobody paid me anything to write this review. In fact, I receive no remuneration for any reviews I write.
