By TR Robertson Photos by Karli Cadel
The second musical for the 42nd Season of Moonlight Stage Productions is a feel-good romantic musical adaptation of the 1998 Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore romantic comedy movie “The Wedding Singer”. Set in Ridgefield, New Jersey, in 1985, this nostalgic musical will bring back memories to many people of parachute pants, baggy clothes in florescent colors, Nintendo and Atari video games like Donkey Kong – Super Mario Brothers – Pacman, Walkman’s and mixtapes, leg warmers and spandex, mullets and big hair and the music of Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Boy George and many other stars of the 80’s.
“The Wedding Singer” musical was written by composer Matthew Sklar and lyricist Chaed Beguelin and the book was co-written by Tim Herlihy. The musical debuted on Broadway in 2006 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. It was nominated for 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical and 8 Drama Desk Awards.
The upbeat energetic musical centers around a popular band, called “Simply Wed”, that plays primarily for wedding receptions led by the bands lead singer, Robbie Hart, played by Brett Benowitz, who played Carl Perkins in the popular musical “Million Dollar Quartet”. As the musical opens, he is singing “It’s Your Wedding Day” to Harold and Debbie at their wedding reception. Robbie is engaged to Linda, played by Janaya Mahealani Jones, and is about to be married the next day. At the reception Robbie meets waitress Julia, played by Megan Carmitchel, a San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Award Actor of the Year winner. Julia helps Robbie with lyrics for a song he is writing for Linda in a funny scene as Robbie struggles for the correct rhyming words for his song. A spark develops between Julia and Robbie. This will prove to be a problem as Julia is engaged, to Glen Guglia, played by Evan White. Glen is a Wall Streeter with questionable ethics.
As the musical continues Robbie will receive a note, from Linda, at the church on his wedding day, telling him he is no longer the man for her and she is moving on. This will send Robbie into a depression and downward spiral. Robbie expresses his anger in the hilarious “Somebody Kill Me”, written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy. The band members Sammy, played by Eduardo Enrikez, and George, played by Jacob Hoff, attempt to bring Robbie out of his funk by getting him to play at another wedding reception. This leads to the over-the-top, funny “Casualty of Love”, with an exuberant dance scene with many of the wedding attendees. Julia calms Robbie down and convinces him to play for other gigs like Bar Mitzvas, leading to another very funny song, “Today You Are a Man” and George, who appears to look like a Boy George look-a-like, singing “George’s Prayer”. One of Julia’s friends, Holly, played by Liliana Rodriguez, takes an interest in Robbie. Act I will end with the fast-paced performance by the ensemble in a club scene and Liliana Rodriguez, as Holly, and her tremendous performance complete with a recreation of Jennifer Beals’ famous dance involving the sensual chair and water dance scene in the movie “Flashdance”.
Act II will find Robbie and Julia struggling with their feelings, Robbie confused about what is important to Julia in a relationship and Robbie’s encounter with Julia’s fiancé Glen. Robbie’s grandmother Rosie, played by Melinda Gilb, and George bring a rousing round of applause as they “get down” with “Move That Thang”, as Robbie makes a decision that will affect his future. All of this will come to a head as Robbie flies to Las Vegas to try and win Julia back and stop the wedding before she marries Glen. An entertaining audience pleasing encounter with Vegas look-a-likes Mr. T, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Idol, Imelda Marcos and Ronald Reagan highlights this part of the musical. True love wins out in the end as Robbie and Julia sing “Grow Old With You”, another song written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy.
This is a feel-good musical, full of laughs, clever songs, great dancing, wonderful singing voices and tremendous energy from the large 26-member cast. The 12-piece Wedding Singer Orchestra, under the direction of Tamara Paige, booms out the great sounds reminiscent of the 80’s. There are a few swear words in the musical, but definitely appropriate for teens and the older crowd as well.
Returning director Larry Raben’s Creative Teams consists of Choreographer Luke Jacobs, Music Director and Conductor Tamara Paige, Lighting Designer Jennifer Edwards, Sound Designer Brandon Boomizad, Hair Designer Peter Herman, Costume Coordinator Heather Megil, Properties Coordinator Bonnie Durben, Stage Manager Stanley D. Cohen, Assistant Stage Manager Patrick Bator, Producing Artistic Director Steven Glaudini and Managing Director Mike Bradford.
“The Wedding Singer” will be on the Moonlight Stage until June 24th. Tickets can be purchased at 760-724-2110 or go to www.moonlightstage.com. For the Wednesday thru Sunday performances, gates open at 6:30 P.M. and the shows begin at 8:00 P.M. There is food available at Moonlight including Bread & Cheese Eatery and several snack booths. Information on bringing food into Moonlight is available on the web site. Next up for Moonlight is “Tarzan – The Stage Musical” beginning on July 19th.
