Performance: The Wedding Singer Genre: Musical Series: Mainstage Location: Theatre

July 31 - August 22, 2009

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The Wedding Singer – hits a high note at the Erie Playhouse
HELD OVER August 21 & 22

The Erie Playhouse brings the 80’s back (in style) with the upcoming production of The Wedding Singer, the musical comedy based on the 1998 hit film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The show opens July 31 and runs thru August 16 at the West 10th St location.

The original Broadway production, which opened in April of 2006, was nominated for five Tony awards (including Best Musical and Best Musical Score), eight Drama Desk awards and three Drama League awards. This tribute to the 80’s has also enjoyed tours throughout the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Japan. Original music is by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, with book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy.

The title character, Robbie, is a wannabe rock star that lives in his grandmother’s basement and makes a living as a “wedding singer” with a band in Ridgefield, N.J. A romantic at heart, Robbie is jilted by his flashy fiancée, but meets Julia, a sweet waitress, who wins his affection. Julia, however, is engaged to a Wall Street shark. As the plot unfolds the audience is treated to dazzling musical numbers and a climactic wedding scene in Las Vegas.

With a brand new score that pays loving homage to the pop songs of the 1980’s, The Wedding Singer takes us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up, and a wedding singer just might be the coolest guy in the room.

Eric Marshall heads the cast as Robbie with Leah Johnson as the winsome, Julia. Other notable characters in the cast include Greg Hill as Robbie’s best friend Sammy, Dan Mifkovic as Julia’s fiancée Glen, Claudia Skerlong as the lovable grandmother Rosie, with Dominic Delgreco bringing outrageous band member George to life, and Helene Waldmarson as Robbie’s ex-fiancée Linda. A dynamic singing and dancing ensemble round out the cast.

Richard Davis directs and choreographs The Wedding Singer with Eric Smrcka handling the musical and vocal direction. Mary Rose Ferrara is creating the fun and flashy “80’s” look and Joe Hassler will create the multi-functional set and lighting design.

The Wedding Singer – a truly delightful musical, sparkling with electricity and a sharp 80’s vibe!