Avon Summer Theater will present The Wedding Singer

Join the Cast of Avon Summer Theater’s The Wedding Singer!

This summer’s production of The Wedding Singer marks the 55th continuous summer musical presented by Avon Summer Theater, having begun in 1961 with a production of The King and I. The past couple of years’ performances have included Once on This Island, Rent: School Edition, and Sound of Music.

The program is open to students in grades 8-12. It has included students from many surrounding towns, including Hartford, Avon, Simsbury, Canton, Farmington, West Hartford and Granby. All are welcome, and this diversity is one of Avon Summer Theater’s many strengths. AST is different from many of the other summer theater programs in that students register for the production and then casting is done from the participants during the first days of rehearsal. So everyone gets a part. This makes the process more enjoyable for first-timers and experienced actors, alike.

The Production Team, including Doreen Cohn as Program Coordinator and Director, Terri Rowe as Choreographer, Diana Lawler as Music Director, Ken Jones as Technical Director and Cindy Braunlich as Costume Designer, begins choosing a show long before it is announced. When asked what factors come into play, Doreen Cohn said, “Choosing the musical is always a challenge. We chose The Wedding Singer because it has all of the components we are looking for. Many roles (large and small) for our actors, contemporary-style music, technical components that are do-able in our time frame, lots of dancing, and most of all, it’s a fun show. Our students and staff will enjoy spending the summer immersed in this production.”

“The Wedding Singer is a comedic Rock musical with original songs that capture the feeling and essence of what it was like to be in the ‘80’s,” summarizes Diana Lawler, the Music Director. “It does for the 80’s what Hairspray did for the 60’s.”

Peggy Beauregard, Production Manager for Avon Summer Theater for the past several years, keeps coming back, although her kids are no longer involved. “The best part is watching a show come together over the four weeks. The kids get to know each other and take such pride in their work, both from a technical aspect and from a performance aspect. The directors are a fantastic group to work with. They really love what they do and bring out the best in the cast and crew.” Beauregard plans several daytime activities outside of the evening rehearsals which help the kids get to know each other and bond as a company. They will bowl, screen movies at the Avon Library and perform a flash mob at the Avon Library’s Farmer’s Market. Students not only return to AST for another great summer the following year, but they form friendships which last year-round and into college, going to support each other’s school shows and other events.

Perhaps Ken Jones, Technical Director, sums it up best, “The Wedding Singer is colorful lights and shiny objects! A really good time.”

Auditions and rehearsals begin in the evenings on Monday, June 20 at Avon High School Auditorium. Performance dates are July 22, 23 at 7:30 pm, and July 24 at 2 pm.

Click here for more information, a synopsis of the show, and to register for the program. You may also email avonsummertheaterprograms@gmail.com