I was in Tony n' Tina's Wedding here in Chicago for a while and it surprised me the variety of audience members we had each night. No, everyone doesn't show up and get drunk. Yes there were people who visited the bar a little too much, and got a little tipsy, but it's not a common thing. Hell, they do have to pay for the drinks afterall. As far as age, I would say if anything that the majority of the audience was usually of the older generations, like above 45-50. That's not to say that anyone wouldn't enjoy the show. We did get a lot of college aged kids come in frequently that had a great time, and were so much fun to work with.
The show is really about enjoying yourself. If you show up free and open to participate you'll have a blast. That's really what's it all about. If you're the kind of person who goes to a wedding and doesn't get out on the dance floor, and doesn't just have a ball, then Tony n' Tina's isn't for you. The cast treats you like you're part of the family, so they all try to get you out on the dance floor or get you to talk about "the family", and a lot of other goofy stuff. The people who refused to talk or dance or whatever usually didn't have a good time because they didn't allow themselves to have a good time.
Anyway, is the show appropriate, that's open to interpretation really. For people with an open mind I think it is. If you have more of a traditional mind, maybe it isn't. A lot of the cast get drunk during the show. No, they don't actually drink liquor, but they "act" drunk. Also, there is a lot of foul language, which usually is done in ok taste. Overall, each character has some sort of wacky thing about them that makes them funny, for example the maid of honor is pregnant. I played Tina's gay brother, and I had a blast, even though some audience members didn't think the gay twist was particularly funny. Other audience members joked around with me, and had a blast with it. You don't mind little stuff like that, mixed in with the occasional swear word and "pretend" drinking, it's not really a bad show. The only complain I ever heard was that certain Italian families were offended because they thought the show portrays Italian weddings in an offensive way. I don't think I'd agree with that, but it's just something I heard.
Overall, I'd recommend it, only to people who enjoy weddings probably though because as I said before, if you don't go up and dance and let yourself go you won't enjoy it. The show is basically just going to any wedding, except with this one everything goes wrong. Mind you, of course in the end everything is fixed, but you get the idea. I hope that maybe helps somewhat. If you do go I hope you enjoy it. I had the most fun ever being in the show, and I think for the most part if you go and participate it will some of the most fun you'll have in "theater" too.
James explains very well---he should, having been in it. I saw the show in Chicago and had a good time, but as he says, if you are turned off by the idea of a pregnant bride'smaid or a drunk and rather lecherous priest (who spent some time at our table if I'm not remembering it wrong), it might not be the show for you and the kids.
I agree -- I think it just depends on how open you are to it. The one time I saw Tony & Tina (wow -- nearly 10 years ago now!) I was 21, but was with an entire group of 17 and 18 year olds, with a handful of other adults. We all had a great time and loved every minute of it. I, personally, was pulled out onto the dance floor by the father's stripper girlfriend 'cause she wanted to dance with me. If you're open to just having some fun in a kinda crazy setting, it's a blast! And I don't think it was too much for the kids.
Thanks so much for the replies, everyone! I'm very excited to go do this show. We are definitely not conservative and we will all go out there and dance. I was just more worried about being the only 'kids' there. But we'll be fine. Yay!
