'Four Weddings And An Elvis' to Open at Phoenix Stage Company

FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, a comedy written by Nancy Frick opens at the Phoenix Stage Company on March 16. The comedy is directed by Phoenix Stage Company’s Production Manager Lori Poulin and Deb Cryan will be managing the stage. Cast members Ed Bassett and Roger Grace appeared on 97.3 FM WZBG’s Backstage with Eric Lindblom on Saturday morning to discuss this little known piece.

Mr. Lindblom played tracks from the cast albums of two Elvis-themed shows ALL SHOOK UP and MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET during the hour-long interview. Mr. Bassett explained that the comedy was suggested by Harold and Susan Panterly of the Clockwork Repertory Theater and that Ms. Poulin immediately volunteered to direct it.

FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS is the story of Sandy, the four-times-married-three-times-divorced owner of a wedding chapel in Las Vegas, who has certainly seen her fair share of matrimonies. Through vignettes, audiences witness four of her funniest: Bev and Stan, who are getting married--by the King himself--as revenge on their exes; Vanessa and Bryce, two arrogant aging stars who are tying the knot as a publicity ploy, and are vexed by an aging Elvis who doesn’t know who they are; and Martin and Fiona, a gentle postal-worker and a tough ex-con trying to get married before the police arrive! The final wedding is the funniest all: Sandy’s fifth and final wedding which will reveal a hilarious twist.

All of the scenes take place in a “classy” Las Vegas wedding chapel, that the director has decided will be decorated in very classy white and gold with hearts everywhere and real pews. The character of the wedding chapel owner Sandy is played by Laura Sturges-Cortez.

The first vignette is entitled Bev & Stan: The Payback. The angry groom Stan (played by “the boss of Phoenix Stage” Ed Bassett) and the angry bride Bev (brought to life by Kristin Moresi) are the two characters who are getting “revenge married.” John, the Elvis minister, will be played by John Kennedy, who gets to sing “Love Me Tender.”

Next is Vanessa & Brice: The Comeback. Roger Grace (who was so memorable as the wedding planner in IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU with the Goshen Players, a production in which Mr. Lindblom also appeared) told the radio host that he plays the fading movie star named Bryce, who had a successful television show with a fading actress Vanessa (played by Lauren DeRosa Woolf.) The couple is getting married for publicity. Timothy Cleary plays the minister for this wedding.

The third scene is Fiona & Marvin: The Real Thing. Amanda Bunting will appear as the bride Fiona, a tough ex-com and Brian Elser plays Marvin, a gentle postal worker. Michael Cassidy plays Fist the bank robber, a scary friend of the bride.

The fourth wedding is a surprise. “It kinda comes together in the end,” said Mr. Bassett during the interview. “You will have to come to see it to see how it all comes together.”

The character of the wedding chapel owner Sandy is played by Laura Sturges-Cortez. The chapel is called “Sandy’s Chapel of Love.”

FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS at Phoenix Stage Company

March 16, 22, 23, 29 & 30 at 8pm
March 17 & 24 at 3pm

General admission is $23. Groups sales tickets are $18 each. Tickets for seniors, teachers and students of any grade level can purchase a ticket for $20. First responders get free admission and everyone gets free, unlimited popcorn. If you use the phrase “Thank you, thank you very much” (with or without the Elvis inflection) when ordering tickets by phone, you can receive a small discount on your ticket. Call (860) 417-2505 and leave a message.