High Praise and High Energy: 'The Wedding Singer' at La Comedia
Mike Woody reviews The Wedding Singer—La Comedia's latest production delivers a hilarious, nostalgic trip back to the eighties—now thru June 21 🎸🕺🎵🖲️
'80s Nostalgia Rocks La Comedia’s The Wedding Singer -thru June 21
Between Mr. T, a mangy mullet, and the clapper, seeing The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy is like a trip back in time. For this production, La Comedia brings back many elements from the eighties. There’s even an old Pac-Man arcade game in the lobby that can be played. Only one thing could make this theatrical experience even better: if gas prices were the same as they were 40 years ago. (Whoa…was the '80s really that long ago?)
Despite strong competition from the likes of The Waterboy and Happy Gilmore, my favorite Adam Sandler movie is The Wedding Singer. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the musical version to see how it compares. I was not disappointed, as the entire cast and crew deserve nothing but high praise for landing many laughs, hitting every note, and being in perfect harmony when dancing.
The role of broken-hearted, rockstar-in-waiting Robbie Hart is played splendidly by Brynoch Rammell. He’s both humorous and dramatically endearing, as well as a gifted vocalist. Equally as gifted is the radiant Allison Gabert as Julia Sullivan, a.k.a. the future Julia Guglia. Gabert serves a plethora of charm as the waitress who befriends the jilted Robbie. With a voice as effervescent as her smile, Gabert makes you wish that Julia finds her happily ever after.
A fairytale life for Julia with her current flame, Glen Guglia (Elliot Handkins), is questionable. If in need of a sleazy fiancée (Legally Blonde) or a foul-mouthed Jersey Boy (Jersey Boys), then Handkins is your guy.
The supporting cast really enhances the production, led by two of La Comedia’s most dependable players. Dylan Jackson (Sammy) and Jonathan Pendergrass (George) are like Hall & Oates—a duo that rocks. Jackson always brings lots of laughs, and as the McRib-loving bandmate of Robbie, he’s no different. Pendergrass exudes charisma and specializes in splashy characters like the Boy George-inspired fellow bandmate. Jackson and Pendergrass are both two of my personal favorites, and watching them together is better than solving a Rubik’s Cube.
Another standout in her La Comedia debut is Meaghan Maher as Holly, a coworker and friend of Julia’s. Maher has a fiery spirit and beautiful voice, making her a joy to watch on stage.
With the spirit and energy of someone half her age, Leanne Greenberg, as Rosie, the rapping Grannie, steals every scene she’s in. Her character likes to rhyme, which creates many a good time. Greenberg is beyond delightful as the naughty grandma who, along with George (Pendergrass), performs an arousing…err, rousing number.
Including causing Van Halen to break up, Hannah Markley is nothing but bad news as Linda. She upends Robbie’s plans for the future while still managing to get a moment in the spotlight.
The hard-working ensemble also deserves a lot of credit. From guests at multiple weddings, impersonators of several celebrities, and Wall Street workers, they wear several hats…and wigs. Any ensemble benefits from the inclusion of an Iverson, and this one has three: there’s Ed Iverson, his wife, Becky, and their daughter, Haley. The ensemble also consists of Sierra Jones and Gregory Coulter, both of whom have become familiar faces. I pity the fool who doesn’t appreciate their service. Rounding out the cast are Zach Asnis, Allyn Bessee, Hanna Marie Felver, Lucy Harmon, and Anthony Recine. They all display some impressive dance moves, including a nostalgic homage to '80s music videos.
I liked the use of the ‘window’ areas on each side of the stage, which are rarely utilized. The emotional culmination of Robbie singing ‘Grow Old With You’ to Julia is reminiscent of the movie, but the route to get there is a little different. Find someone who lets you hold the remote control and go to La Comedia for The Wedding Singer.
