The Engeman Brings Firsthand Know-How to Its 20th Anniversary Revival of ‘The Wedding Singer’

The Engeman Theater closes its 2025-2026 season on an upbeat note with a must-see production of the 2006 Broadway hit, “The Wedding Singer, The Musical Comedy.” Based on the beloved 1988 film of the same name starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, this award-winning Broadway musical features ‘80s-style pop-rock music composed by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Tim Herlihy and Chad Beguelin.

This laugh-a-minute musical is a nostalgic romantic comedy set in New Jersey in the mid-1980s. Known as “The Decade of Greed,” Madonna’s blockbuster hit “Material Girl” rang out through the airwaves like an anthem praising the gilded age of junk bonds, insider trading, and leveraged buyouts. Amid this “Greed is good” era of conspicuous consumption, Robbie Hart, the show’s kind-hearted, charismatic, musically gifted protagonist, finds himself torn between following his passion for performing and pursuing a more lucrative career on Wall Street.

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From the exuberant opening number, “It’s Your Wedding Day,” to the electrifying finale, it was clear this revival was a passion project for director and choreographer Paul Stancato and his wife, Broadway veteran Felicia Finley, associate director and choreographer. This creative couple brought firsthand experience to the show: Finley originated the role of Linda in the 2006 Broadway production of “The Wedding Singer,” and Stancato earned his first Broadway gig as assistant director. In the program’s Director’s Note, Stancato tells the audience that he and his wife poured everything they had “into this 20^th Anniversary production with the same love and commitment we brought to it the first time around.” The fact that this dynamic duo met during the original Broadway production of “The Wedding Singer,” fell in love, and got married is the stuff of fairy tales and great Broadway musicals!

Zach Cossman delivered a stellar performance as Robbie Hart, a much-sought-after wedding singer whose life falls apart when he’s left at the altar. Cossman, a gifted actor and singer, used expressive facial and body language to convey the rollercoaster of emotions Robbie experiences as his life comes full circle, from the highs of success and the euphoria of love to the depths of despair and heartbreak, and back to love and career fulfillment. Cossman also possesses one of the most flexible bodies I have ever seen on stage, bouncing out of a dumpster (yes, you read that right, a dumpster), tumbling to the ground after being punched in the face, leaping off a bar, crawling across the stage, and dancing his heart out with grace and athletic agility! His solo, “Somebody Kill Me,” was a gallows-humor, grunge-style rock ballad that had the audience roaring with laughter.

Emily Grace Tucker gave an award-worthy performance as Julia Sullivan, a warm-hearted waitress who befriends Robbie. Tucker and Cossman displayed strong onstage chemistry during the comedic showtune “Come Out of the Dumpster” and delivered a heartrending duet, “If I Told You.” Much of the show’s conflict centers on Julia’s engagement to the womanizing, wealthy Wall Street wheeler-dealer, Glen Guglia. Drake Leach aced the role of Julia’s egotistical, coke-snorting fiancé, and a running joke in the show was that if she married him, her name would be Julia Guglia. One of the show’s highlights was Leach’s powerhouse delivery of “All About the Green,” with satirical lyrics that revealed Guglia’s true nature: “But if you sell your soul, at least you’ve made a sale.”

Kaelee Albritton was believable as Holly, a sexy waitress and Julia’s outspoken best friend. Mike Ferlita commanded the stage as Sammy, Holly’s ex and Robbie’s loyal friend. Ferlita has incredible vocals, which he showcased in the hysterically funny Men’s Ensemble number “Single.” Albritton and Ferlita’s duet “Right in Front of Your Eyes” was a memorable onstage moment.

Kendall Paige Parrett stole the show as Robbie’s ex-fiancée, Linda. Parrett demonstrated her stunning vocals while performing highly athletic, hysterically funny choreography during two showstopping numbers: “A Note from Linda,” when she callously dumps Robbie, and “Let Me Come Home,” when she tries way too hard to win him back.

Gael Schaefer put her innate comedic talents to good use as Robbie’s lovable, uninhibited grandmother, Rosie. Her solo, “A Note from Grandma,” drew some of the evening’s biggest laughs, as did her duet, “Move That Thang,” with Sean Widener, a charismatic performer who stole every scene with his spot-on portrayal of the gender-fluid George, a flamboyant keyboard player. Rounding out the cast was Lauren Gobes, who was outstanding as Angie, Julia’s cynical, loving, but status-obsessed mother.

The ultra-talented ensemble is the heartbeat of this high-energy musical, infusing every scene with genuine emotion and humor. Brooks Andrew, Mikayla Agrella, Tiffany Beckford, Evan Blust, Derick Donato, Olivia Giorgio, Hannah Hunt, Lance Jewett, Jay Owens, Justin Wolfe Smith, and Regan Victoria White brought their A-game to the show, making the big production numbers, like “Saturday Night in the City,” with its nod to the iconic water dance from the 1983 movie “Flashdance,” spectacular to behold.

A standing ovation goes out to Engeman’s top-notch creative team, including Jacob Stebly (Music Director), Kyle Dixon (Scenic Design), DW (Costume Design), John Burkland (Lighting Design), Laura Shubert (Sound Design), Megan Cohen (Props Design), and Jeff Knaggs (Hair /Makeup Design).

“The Wedding Singer” runs through August 23, 2026. Tickets can be purchased by calling 631-261-2900, visiting engemantheater.com, or by going to the John W. Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” She won the 2026 Press Club of Long Island Media Award in the Narrative Arts Category for outstanding journalism.