The marquee on the side of Stage West currently reads: The Wedding Singer – Based on the 1998 Movie. Thanks, Stage West, for making me realize that the movie is 17 years old. The musical itself opened in 2006, so even it has been around nearly a decade. Despite making me feel old, I quickly settled in to forget that little tidbit and enjoy what ended up being a pretty fun and fantastic production.
Based on the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore comedy of the same name, The Wedding Singer is set in the 1980s. It doesn’t feature the same soundtrack of ’80s classics but, instead, original songs are featured. While some of them stand out, many are not particularly memorable, yet they still capture the essence that was ’80s music. That said, a few of the film’s original songs are included, which is a nice reminder of the movie.
Robbie Hart (Aidan Desalaiz) is a wedding singer in New Jersey, excited to be getting married himself to Linda (Sarah Horsman). When she leaves him at the alter, it kills his enthusiasm to continue performing at weddings, leading to some hilarious breakdowns at performances. The show follows the same script as the film, with Robbie and Julia (Elicia MacKenzie) as the leads. It is, however, definitely an ensemble show. Seeing the always-entertaining Andrew McGillvray – who is eternally a highlight in the company’s musical revues – cast as George was an obvious and awesome choice. His scenes as a Boy George-influenced keyboardist in the band stand out. Ian Ronningen, as Robbie’s best friend Sammy, and Dana Jean Phoenix, as Julia’s cousin Holly, round out the core characters. It would be easy to perform the characters as clichéd stereotypes, but there is a great deal of warmth and heart in the portrayals. On the other side, Kellan Ziffle’s arrogant and smarmy Glen, fiancé of Julia, is also effective in making him instantly dislikeable. Add to that the solid ensemble cast, and it makes for a pretty special show.
If you were a fan of the film, there is a lot to bring back memories: from rapping grannies to the sweet love stories. If you haven’t seen the film, the show stands on its own as an enjoyable evening out. Combine that with another great feast at the buffet – including a wedding cake – and you have a great date night.
Stage West continues to hit the ball out of the park with its show choices. Shows like The Wedding Singer, and recent shots at pieces like Spamalot and Avenue Q, are bringing in a new audience that is discovering what other Calgarians have known for decades, that it is a great company providing quality entertainment. If you have never been to Stage West, The Wedding Singer is a great one to start.
