The Wedding Singer

CATS Youth Theatre takes on the musical comedy The Wedding Singer - the film was released in 1998 and the stage musical followed in 2006. Set firmly in the 80’s, it tells the story of a disillusioned wedding singer.

The composite set as we walked into the Theatre is set up for wedding. Three tables around the stage with white cloths on and the chairs have purple bows. A table Downstage Left has a white cloth on and a four-tier wedding cake with a touch of purple. A large sign is hung high above welcoming the new Mr and Mrs Harold and Debbie Fonda. Upstage Centre is a small stage with keyboard and two guitars. Sets are then brought on for the various scenes, The bedroom scene complete with old-fashioned television and bedside cabinets, ladies’ washroom, Pan Am flight desk, giant trash can, the front of Grandma Rosie’s house, office, flower arch, a bar and moving car with very large cellular phone. Props all helped set the scene too. Set Design Louise Cohen, Alan Dodd and Simon White. Set Construction Simon White, Drew Hogben, Dave Matthew, Alan Dodd, Ian Hayes. Set Artists Simon White and Drew Hogben. Stage Crew was Janet Hardman, Drew Hogben, Simon White, Kayley Mabon, Iona Budis and Ethan Brown

Set in the 80’s the costumes worked especially with the frilly bridesmaid dresses. Hair all looked good with the curly permed locks look. This was certainly a mammoth task with quick changes and people playing more than one role. Costumes CATS Youth Theatre Janet Hardman and Paul Cohen.

Emily Cohen choreographs and the opening It’s Your Wedding Day had great energy to start the show off. A few numbers had a sneaky ode to the 80’s with the moonwalk and the famous Irene Cara song with Jennifer Beals’ moment on the chair.  Emily moves the cast large cast seamlessly around the stage.  Loved All About The Green and how the accumulation movement was used.

Louise Cohen Directs and is also Musical Director with David Wilson being guest conductor. Louise manages to move the cast of over 40 around the stage with ease and create tableaux. The characters worked well together and especially the boys in the band. The fake Idols were hilarious.

The Ensemble were very supportive and took on various characters and were in the large dance numbers. Tilly Black, Harriet Heys, Nona Marsden, Olive Proctor, Izzy Garner, Matty Gilkey and William Broome took on various Cameo Roles.  

Angie Sullivan played Lauren’s supportive mum and Loser. Lewis Cunliffe took on the roles of Mookie, Loser, Suit, Ricky and a Billy Idol Impersonator which was hilarious. Alfie Browne took on the roles Danny, Father of The Bride, Suit, Bum and Elvis Impersonator. Loved the bum character and Elvis. Alfi is one to watch.

Linda was played by Lily Moro who gave us a very confident performance with a powerful voice. Rosie Robbie’s Grandma was played with sass by Ruby Magill who really brought the comedy out of the part and looked to thoroughly enjoy Move That Thang. Glen Guglia played by Nathan Dodds. Nathan gave a very confident performance of the antagonist, the know it all. With his oversized cellular phone and oversized ego. Well played.

Ava Deveney gave a confident performance with energy for Holly Sullivan the cheeky promiscuous waitress who flirts with everyone. She is a support for Julia and despite her own complicated relationship with Sammy played by Ethan Sheppard who is part of the band. Self-assured and clearly liking Holly. Ava and Ethan tip-toed around each other and get there in the end. Ethan gives a good depiction of Sammy trying to be a man’s man and trying ways to woo Holly. Ava and Ethan worked well together.

Jake Little takes on the role of George clearly obsessed with Boy George and dressing like him. Jake brought out the campness which added to the flamboyant persona. George’s Prayer hilarious and well done with the pronunciation. Great characters and Jake looked to have fun with it, embracing the comedy.

Robbie Hart played by Tom Clancy takes on the lead role of the man in love with love until he gets his heart broken then it all falls to pieces: fortunately, he has Julia Sullivan waiting in the wings played by Lauren Quigley. Lauren has her own problems but we see the two navigate their own love story and Lauren’s belief in Robbie when he has none in himself. Tom and Lauren worked well together and they shared some great musical numbers. Both in fine voice showing us the funny in the song Awesome and then heartfelt in If I told You was a delight.

It's great to see some new faces taking on roles as CATS Youth Theatre continues to thrive. Thank you for the invite and hospitality from my guest Dawn and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep

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