Theater Review: 'The Wedding Singer' by Stage @ The Warner

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

The Stage @ The Warner at the Warner Theatre in Torrington is serving up a big-hearted production of “The Wedding Singer The Musical Comedy.”

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“The Wedding Singer” is a musical that features some great music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. The source material is the 1998 film of the same name. The musical is centered on Robbie, the titular wedding singer, his failed relationship with his former flighty fiancée, and his romance with a new love, Julia.

Director/choreographer Travis Kendrick-Castanho writes that this show is a love letter to the 1980s. At the heart of the story is a simple question: “What happens when love doesn’t follow the plan we imagined?” The director explains that the two main characters believe that they are doing the right thing “even when their hearts are telling them otherwise. Their journey is about learning to listen to themselves, and trusting that it’s never too late to choose happiness.”

Emily Rafala is credited as associate director, associate choreographer and production stage manager. Nate McCuin is the music director that worked with the singers to perform with the musical tracks. Book writer Herlihy and Adam Sandler collaborated on the songs “Somebody Kill Me” and “Grow Old with You.”

Ron St. John III (Eric in “Death by Design”) returns to the Warner to take on the role of Robbie Hart and delivers a great performance as the “Casualty of Love” who constantly performs at weddings as he struggles with his love life. St. John brings plenty of energy and charm to this big role.

Julia Nelson makes her Warner debut in the role of the waitress Jullia, the role originated on Broadway by very funny Laura Benanti. Born and raised in CT, Nelson has returned to our local theater community and shines in this role.

Zayda, a talented WestConn Musical Theater BFA graduate, makes her Warner debut in the role of Jullia’s cousin, best friend, and coworker Holly. Katie Locascio returns to the Warner stage to take on the role of Robbie’s rocker girlfriend Linda (“A Note from Linda,” “Let Me Come Home.”). Jennifer Valentine makes her Warner debut as Julia’s mother Angie.

Mike Zimmerman (Hannay in “The 39th Steps”) plays Robbie’s bandmate Sammy, and Christian Roach is a delight in the role of the gay keyboard player George. Elyse Jasensky, whose last appearance at the Warner was in “Follies” nine years ago, gleefully takes on the role of Rosie, Robbie’s grandmother who allows him to live in her basement. Her rapping duet with George for "Move That Thang" is a riot.

Paul Donovan-Lietz returns to this stage to play the role of Julia’s cheating boyfriend Glen Guglia (“All About the Green,”) as well as being a busy ensemble member.

The excellent dancers in the ensemble play wedding guests, Las Vegas impersonators, and others in great costumes. They include Ignatius Francis Lawrence Bono, Brennan Cummings, Donovan-Lietz, Dance Captain Melissa Green, Jeffrey Hanzelik, Amanda Higley, Dani Kay, Locascio, Ary Namias, Marlene Scerrato, and Valentine. Those impersonated include Billy Idol, Mr. T, Ronald Reagan, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, Nancy Reagan, and Imelda Marcos.

The scenic design by Kimberly Jackson comes off as both eighties and fun, placing us often in the wedding reception hall in Ridgefield, NJ in 1985. It encompasses the size of the long stage area of the second stage and includes the first row of round tables of the audience. The costumes designed by Renee C. Purdy evoke the loudest aspects of the 1980s, especially what was being worn to the weddings of that era. The lighting design by Ryan Gearity is especially helpful when the characters take to the aisles of the bleacher seating, and sound by Dustin Pfaender works well. Nicki D’Amico gathered all of the eighties props. Lee Evans works as the technical director.

This is a fun musical with an eighties vibe that inspired a few audience members to dress up for the occasion. As the actors weave their way through the aisles and the round tables, some may feel like they have been invited to one of the wedding receptions or “Saturday Night in the City.” And we can’t help but root for the wedding of the proper couple.

The musical is performed with one 15-minute intermission. “The Wedding Singer” will continue its run through Apr. 28 on the stage of the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. warnertheatre.org. If you have digital tickets, remember to add each one individually to your digital wallet! Sponsored by Torrington Savings Bank