Review: THE WEDDING SINGER Re-creates Film with Laughs and Fine Performances
By Jane Primerano, Guest Critic
If you are looking for something to laugh at and with, The Wedding Singer at Centenary University is exactly what you need!
Running through Sunday, July 19, the musical is familiar to most people from the Tim Herlihy movie that proved Adam Sandler was truly a comic actor and Drew Barrymore could carry her famous family’s legacy anywhere and anytime.
The plot of the play is only slightly different. Robbie is a wedding singer backed up by a guitarist and a slightly eccentric keyboard player until his own fiancé leaves him at the altar. “Somebody Kill Me, Please,” is the ultimate breakup song. Waitress Julia pulls him out of his funk (and a dumpster full of creamed corn) and romantic comedy chaos ensues.
As usual, the Centenary Stage Company pulls off a superb version of the play. Mathew Steen has the vocal and acting chops to be an excellent Robbie. Megan Schmiedhauser literally falls into Robbie’s life in the best possible way and brings an energy and versatility into the role that pushes away any thought of the movie Julia.
Jeremy Ashton as the money-worshipping Glen, Julia’s fiancé, makes one want to smack him upside the head from the very beginning—exactly the right vibe. He reaches the pinnacle of smarm in the “It’s All About the Green” number.
Major kudos to Asher Paterno who stepped into the role of Holly, Julia’s boss and friend, as a last-minute replacement for the injured Nicole Boscarino and proved that an understudy can bring a powerful performance. The fast-moving plot and complicated dance moves make this role particularly challenging. (While I know the exaggerated makeup was part of the musical’s look, the glowing blusher could have been toned down a bit.)
Anyone who has seen the movie knows the performance of George, the keyboardist, can make or break the show. Jack Sisk more than does the role justice in every scene, not the least when he tap dances with Robbie’s grandma. And his Hebrew is impressive in the bar mitzvah scene.
Kai Vialva is a creditable Sammy, the guitarist, but the hair doesn’t cut it.
Recent Centenary grade Raelyn Ariella is properly hateful as the altar-dumper Linda. Her voice, dancing and athleticism work perfectly in that role.
The role of Rosie (Robbie’s grandma) alternates. On opening night, Deirdre Worth did an amazing job singing, acting and dancing—especially tap, her specialty, as well as “sweatin’ to the oldies” and even rapping. I must confess I have known Deirdre for a very long time, but I can be objective, honest I can. And love the wig.
The show is directed and choreographed by Centenary veteran Lea Antolini-Lid who, to my knowledge, has never done anything but a top-notch job.
The complex, kooky ending in Las Vegas with the “fake” Billy Idol, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper and even Imelda Marcos, is the perfect finale.
The show, which is the kickoff to the summer musical season, continues on Saturdays, July 11 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, July 12 and 19 at 2 p.m.; Wednesday, July 15 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m. and Friday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office or at centenarystage.org, or call 908-979-0900.