'The Wedding Singer' - Opening Night Part 2

We're a hit! 

It was incredible performing with an audience on Friday. After six weeks, the jokes get old and you forget what is funny. We had about 150 people in the audience last night and they were wonderful. They laughed at all the jokes, gave huge hoots and hollers after our numbers, and brought The Wedding Singer to life.

I’m proud to say that I was able to remember all my lines, costume changes and dance steps.

It was totally electric backstage. Crew members were dancing in the wings and cast members were high fiving when the house reacted to the lines. Linda Lee Austin was a total hit with her "rockin grandma." 

Tally Chomic and the cast got a huge applause for the closing of the first act with the song "Saturday Night in the City." The audience went wild at the T-shirt reveal. Sorry, no spoilers here. You’ll have to come to know what I’m talking about.

Katy Kujala and Andrew Buckshaw were magic. They are so talented and have such great chemistry that they audience cheered them on and even though we knew they’re characters would be together in the end, we still felt every emotion.

Andrew totally channeled Adam Sandler in parts, but really made the role his own.

Andrew Miller and Bobby Kucinski donned the 1980s wigs and characters fully. Both have great spirit and talent. Andrew is a stitch back stage, dancing and undulating behind the scenes. Bobby was so in character, he let Samantha Hohenshil (Linda) put fake glittery eyelashes on him.

Speaking of Samantha, what a voice! Whether it’s the sweet whisper voice or the rocker, she hit every note with enthusiasm.

Kyle Patton played Glen as the polished, slick, Wall Street man-about-town. His rendition of "All About the Green" hit a high note with the audience.

The ensemble pulled it all together with polish and panache. It still amazes me how community theater can bring together actors with years of experience and those who have never been on the stage and they jell together as a cohesive unit both on stage and off.

The band, under the talented baton of John M. Tartaglia, was perfection! I’ve been in lots of musicals but never one with such a rock feel. This group of talented musicians really sets the bar high for the actors but it is the audience that reaps the rewards.

The “Backstage Badgers” or the entire backstage crew including lights, sound, stage crew, fly operators and stage managers did not miss a beat and like the spine in a human, held the show together and helped us stand tall. Great job!

Ron Baumanis, director and choreographer, had the vision and the talent to bring this show to life on the Dexter stage. I’ve worked with Ron on two previous shows and he is the reason I decided to do this show. Ron is a very calm, talented and optimistic director. He knows how to bring the best out of every individual actor and crew member. 

I took these photos backstage without a flash!

Thank you to the Dexter Community Players' board and the staff at Dexter Community Schools for giving us this opportunity to present the Washtenaw County premier of The Wedding Singer. 

If you haven’t made plans to see The Wedding Singer, please stop in and have a blast. The auditorium is cool and the actors are hot! The Wedding Singer will be presented today at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Dexter Center for the Performing Arts inside Dexter High School, 2200 N. Parker Rd.

Tickets are available at the door.