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The Youngstown Playhouse ‘Wedding Singer’ is ‘Romeo and Juliet’ set in the ’80s
By MILAN PAURICH
YOUNGSTOWN
After Michael Dempsey’s smashing May production of Kander and Ebb’s “Curtains,” Mary Ruth Lynn’s reinvigorated Youngstown Playhouse is once again fearlessly venturing into uncharted waters by presenting the local premiere of another relatively new, quasi-unknown musical comedy.
Based on the same-named 1998 movie that paired Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore for the first time, “The Wedding Singer” opened on Broadway in the spring of 2006 and ran for 286 performances. Since then, touring companies of the musical have played to packed houses across the globe.
Directing the nostalgic Matthew Sklar-Chad Beguelin romp is David Mullane, a familiar name to area musical theater aficionados for his acclaimed work with Easy Street Productions, The New Castle Playhouse, Move Over Broadway Productions, Ballet Western Reserve, Top Hat Productions and Boardman Community Theatre (which he also manages) among others.
To commemorate the occasion of his 27th show as director, Mullane recently sat down for a chat about his most recent project.
Q. “The Wedding Singer” is a relatively unknown commodity around these parts. Is that a more exciting – or intimidating – prospect for you as the show’s director?
A. I find it very exciting. The Youngstown region is so supportive of theater, particularly of new and exciting pieces like this one. The show has a great energy about it that I’ve really only experienced with productions like “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Q. For our readers who aren’t familiar with the musical — or the movie it’s based on — could you tell us a little about the storyline?
A. “The Wedding Singer” is basically “Romeo and Juliet” set in the 1980s (“Robbie” and “Julia” are even the lead characters’ names). Robbie Hart is a talented wedding singer who, ironically, is left at the altar by his fianc e, Linda. Shortly afterwards he meets Julia, who’s engaged to a wealthy Wall Street broker (he’s also a complete jerk). Robbie and Julia quickly fall for each other, but struggle to overcome the expectations of their friends and families. There are many twists and turns along the way, including cameos by Billy Idol and Tina Turner, as well as a trip to a Las Vegas wedding chapel. To put it simply, the show is just a whole lot of fun.
Q. In what significant ways is the stage version different from the (non-musical) “Wedding Singer” movie? In other words, what should fans of the film expect not to see?
A. There are a few changes. For example, in the movie there’s an older woman who trades Robbie meatballs for piano lessons whereas in the stage version that lady is his grandmother. Robbie’s grandmother is also the only member of his family who shows up in the stage version. Otherwise, there are just some minor differences and, of course, a lot more music. Audiences can expect the same type of silly humor that accompanies any (Adam) Sandler venture since he originally created the Robbie Hart character.
Q. Your cast features a lot of fresh young talent. Tell me a little about the casting process.
A. We had open auditions and posted information everywhere: electronic sources, social-networking sites and print media. While most of our cast is indeed very young, they’re also incredibly talented. Our leads are Playhouse veteran Vaughn Schmidt, who wowed audiences in “Jekyll and Hyde” several seasons back, and Amanda Myhall, a Canfield High senior who’s blown audiences away at the Boardman Community Theatre for three straight summers. YSU Theater grads Molly Makselan (as Linda, Robbie’s ex-fianc e) and Aaron Kubicina (Julia’s boyfriend) bring great voices and plenty of experience to the production. Also worth mentioning is Boardman High senior Katelyn DeLadurantey (Julia’s friend, Holly) who has a dynamite voice, and Chris Hawkins and Tyler Moliterno as members of Robbie’s wedding band. They really brought their own personality quirks and idiosyncrasies to the roles. The cast is rounded out by theater veterans Jennifer Kuczek and Anna Marshall who bring years of experience and tremendous skill to the parts of Julia’s mother and Robbie’s grandmother.
Q. How difficult was it to recreate the whole uber-’80s sensibility of the show since most of your cast didn’t get to experience the decade firsthand?
A. We’ve been having some serious ’80’s boot camp! I have the cast watching “I Love the ’80s” on VH1 and listening to “Time Warp Weekend” on Mix 98.9. But the ’80s vibe was really all about carefree fun, and I think my cast is definitely getting that message (laughs).