THE WEDDING SINGER
10/06/2022 - 19/06/2022
Production Details
Music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy
Directed by Alister Smith
Musical Director, Daniel Puckey
Choreographer, Michael Ralph
The stars of the international musical The Wedding Singer are in a tizz, working hard on their big hair, even bigger shoulder pads and 80s disco moves to put John Travolta to shame, ahead of arriving to New Zealand to party like it’s 1985!
From the Broadway creators and writer of the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore Hollywood blockbuster, audiences will be treated to one of the most hilarious, feel-good musicals that celebrates all the fun of the ’80s.
These seasons will be strictly limited, playing in Wellington at the Opera House From 10 June before moving to Auckland’s Bruce Mason Centre from 30 June – 17 July.
★★★★
‘Sweet as pink bubble gum, The Wedding Singer is a feel-good hit’
Time Out
★★★★
‘An excellent cast brings the inanity roaring to life’
The Age
★★★★
‘Packed to the brim with feel-good moments that put a smile on your face’
The AU Review
‘All the over-the-top fluorescent colour, pop music magic and outlandish
dance moves of the 1980s come vividly bursting back to life’
The Advertiser
‘Shake up the hairspray and fluff your perm, the ‘80s are back
with a nostalgic vengeance’ – InDaily
Overflowing with ’80s nostalgia, this rom-com will see one of Sydney’s leading ladies of theatre Elise McCann (Matilda, Mamma Mia!) pull up her leg warmers and tweak her side-pony, ready to belt out the role Drew Barrymore made famous.
Starring opposite her is Christian Charisiou in the title role as jilted-groom and nice guy Robbie Hart, lauded by critics as “even funnier than Adam Sandler”. Having won acclaim for his portrayal of Robbie in the production around Australia, Christian’s career has spanned theatre, film and television (Neighbours).
The villain and Wall Street poster boy, the obnoxious Glen Guglia, will be performed by Stephen Mahy, one of Australia’s original Jersey Boys with recent principal roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Saturday Night Fever and Mamma Mia! He also reached the top 12 in Channel 10’s I Will Survive.
Rounding out the lead cast is Romy Vuksan (Jagged Little Pill, Legally Blonde) as the fabulously fun, Madonna-esque costume clad Holly (who teaches Robbie what a good kiss really is), American Psycho’s Tom Sharah as the iconic George, and celebrated character performer Susan-ann Walker (Xanadu, Les Misérables) as Robbie’s naughty beat-boxing Grandma Rosie. Ashlee Hammerin (Anything Goes, We Will Rock You, Cats) stuns in the jaw-dropping love-to-hate her role of Robbie’s villainous ex-girlfriend Linda, and Haydan Hawkins (Miss Saigon, Into The Woods) as Sammy, Robbie’s wise cracking best friend.
All the cast are thrilled to be crossing the Tasman to bring live theatre back to New Zealand audiences.
Chase away the long-haul lockdown blues, get on your dancing shoes, and show us your best moves to celebrate all the fun of this adrenaline-charged hit!
The Tony nominated musical is directed by multi-Green Room Award nominated director Alister Smith, with a sparkling new soundtrack brought to life by Musical Director Daniel Puckey (Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, The Book of Mormon, The Wizard of Oz).
Following a Green Room Award for his work on Bring It On: The Musical, New Zealand-born choreographer Michael Ralph (Georgy Girl, The Boy From Oz) has crafted explosive dance routines jam-packed with iconic ‘80s references.
Following performances on Broadway, across the UK and Australia, The Wedding Singer features your favourite characters from the film, music by Matthew Sklar (Elf The Musical), lyrics by Chad Beguelin (Aladdin), and a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. A long-time collaborator of Adam Sandler, Tim wrote the classic hit films Happy Gilmore and Billy Maddison, as well as several other Sandler-starring blockbusters in addition to The Wedding Singer.
The seasons will be strictly limited, playing in Wellington at the Opera House From 10 June before moving to Auckland’s Bruce Mason Centre from 30 June – 17 July.
Just say YES to The Wedding Singer and come join the party!
Wellington
Opera House
10 – 19 June
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Auckland
Bruce Mason Centre
30 June – 17 July
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Musical , Theatre ,
Hits all the right notes
Review by Laura Walters 13th Jun 2022
This funny, loud, self-deprecatingly raunchy production of the Wedding Singer is the perfect way to welcome back live entertainment to the capital after a hiatus that’s dragged on far too long.
From the first set of jazz hands, the stellar cast of The Wedding Singer had the Wellington audience eating out of the palm of its hand.
The opening number, It’s Your Wedding Day, set expectations with high-energy and slick choreography that would continue throughout the show. The acting scenes picked up pace as the cast got into its groove on opening night. [More]
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Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
Sprightly, energetic, sweetly melancholic
Review by Donna Banicevich Gera 11th Jun 2022
As the thunder rolls across the Wellington sky, and lightening threatens to crack open the heavens, the stars of the international musical The Wedding Singer place their hearts on the stage of the Opera House.
Wellingtonians have come out of the shadows and it’s a big joyful welcome to the eighties. This is pumping exhilarating good fun.
The Wedding Singer tells a classic love story of nice boy gets dumped by bad girl, is devastated, then meets the girl of his dreams. A tale of hope, self-expression, and discovery. The romantic comedy fills you up with feel good vibes, excitement, and joy.
With neon lighting, big hair, shoulder pads and swagger, we journey back to 1985, when the rules are being broken, a time of change, a time when the first mobile phones are sneaking into society, carried by the upward moving yuppies.
It is all good. ‘Saturday Night in the City’ is exhilarating. The performance charged with a poetic intensity that is truly original, ending the first half. Warm kind- hearted, and radical – excelling with slick dance routines, well executed. Such dedication, such wit. I love it.
And yes, it’s ‘All about the Green’ – another stand out item opens Act 2.
The star-studded Australian cast, including one of Sydney’s leading ladies of theatre Elise McCann, starring opposite Christian Charisiou, don’t disappoint in any way. And they are supported in exceptional fashion by an amazing range of strong performers.
This is one slick show by an award-winning team. With music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, directed by Alister Smith, and joined by musical director Daniel Puckey and choreographer Michael Ralph, a strong creative team come together ase. on
The set design by Nathan Weyers is amazing, taking us into world of the story without compromise, transitioning seamlessly from scene to scene, as we follow the trials and tribulations of relationships.
Everything you can think of is happening. And happening well.
It’s a feel-good experience by a highly skilled, professional cast and crew. As the show comes to an end the audience are on their feet. A standing ovation for this highly skilled passionate group of creative practitioners who have ventured across the Tasman.
A wonderful night out, a sprightly, energetic, and sweetly melancholic homage to the 80s This is a big YES from me. A remarkable production.
Let the thunder roll on…
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- Copyright © belongs to the reviewer
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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