The Wedding Singer

We are taken back to the 80’s when would be rock star Robbie Hart is earning a crust as a Wedding Singer. He is about to marry Linda but she jilts him at the altar. He compensates by ruining other wedding parties that is until waitress Julia Sullivan catches his eye but she already has a boyfriend, city slicker Glen Guglia. Robbie and Julia’s friendship is spurred on by Robbie’s unconventional Grandma.

Good lighting (although I did have a problem with the continuous strobe lighting!) and a simple set worked well as did (as far as I can remember) the 80’s style costumes. Choreography was well thought out by Caroline Ferguson and executed by an enthusiastic cast. Sound generally worked well, solo and ensemble singing was fairly clear. The twelve-piece band led by Siobhan Walls was good.

Charlie Grant takes the lead giving a brilliant performance as Robbie, he has you on his side from the start. A great vocal talent. He played opposite Alice Kattner in her first lead role as sweet natured Julia Sullivan striking up a perfect on-stage relationship with Charlie. Adam James and Richard Howard are both really entertaining as Robbie’s bandmates Sammy and George. They guide and support him through his romantic turmoil, great performances from both. What a performance from Megan Lanning in her debut with KP’s as the sultry vixen Linda,she steals all of her limited scenes. Elizabeth Ellis as Holly was lovely in her support for her friend. Another good performance from Ben Smyth as the smarmy Wall Street high-flyer Glen Guglia more interested in financial gain than his forthcoming marriage. Game for anything stalwart Linda Russell as Grandma Rosie had lovely comic timing and performed the rap ‘Move that Thang’ with hilarity and gusto. 

The supporting principals and the rest of the cast all gave strong performances and in her debut as a director Caroline Ferguson, made the whole show exuberant and fun for both cast and audience. All in all, a fast-paced musical comedy with the feel-good factor.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.