Wedding Singer Tues. 8/15 LONG Overdue Review

[millie_dillmount]

Wedding Singer Tues. 8/15 LONG Overdue Review#0

Posted: 8/21/06 at 11:40am

As always, SPOILER WARNING!!!

This review is long overdue. I had the chance to see the Wedding Singer for the second time on Tuesday, August 15th. I meant to post a review the first time I saw it, but never got the chance to.

I got to the box office after 12, and they still had student rush. I didn't get in the front row, however...you probably need to be there when the box office opens. We were in Row C on the right...great seats! Later we needed to buy two more tickets, and they were in Row C on the left. This was around 3 or 4 pm. This is a show that you can probably walk up to last minute and get student rush.

Everyone was in except for Laura Benanti, of course. It was my first time seeing Tina Maddigan. I thought she pulled off the role more cutesy than Laura did. I think I prefer Laura's voice over Tina's, but Tina did an excellent job and looked adorable on stage!

The ensemble is probably one of the most energetic ensembles on Broadway at this moment. Which is why I loved the opening number. Steven Lynch seemed to be holding back a little bit with the first few notes, but as the song and show went on, he found his energy and the audience loved him. He had great chemistry with Tina Maddigan, and I thought the kiss between them and "Grow Old With You" were the two most romantic parts of the show.

One of the standouts in the show, though her part was small, was Felica Finley as Linda. What a powerhouse voice! She is definitely talented and I want to see her take on bigger roles on Broadway.

Amy Spanger was another standout. Besides ensemble members, I believe her part required some dancing skills that the other leads didn't really need to have. One of my favorite numbers was "Right in Front of Your Eyes." Certainly one of the loudest, most energetic numbers in the show was "Saturday Night in the City." It must be annoying for Amy to have herself get soaked in water practically every day. I figured the water part was a rip-off of a cheesy 80s music video.

Kevin Cahoon as George was hilarious. I loved his costume.

Matt Saldivar as Sammy - also talented, but I don't think I have much to say about his character. What's up with his headshot in the Playbill, though?

Peter Kapetan was one of the standout ensemble members. He was featured in a lot of scenes - minister, bum, and the Ronald Regan impersonator, for example. Very, very, very funny and it was great watching him pull off all those minor roles.

Now onto the more technical aspects. The lighting for some of the scenes was absolutely amazing and eye-catching. I forgot if they were nominated for a Tony Award for best lighting design, but if they were, Wedding Singer deserved it!

I also loved the stereotypically (is that a word lol?) 80s costumes. They made the show more colorful. The lighting and costumes were the strongest technical aspects of the show.

If you're looking for a musical with a thought-provoking and deep plot, the Wedding Singer isn't for you. It is pure fun. Go see it!

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

Updated On: 8/21/06 at 11:40 AM

[broadwayguy2]

re: Wedding Singer Tues. 8/15 LONG Overdue Review#1

Posted: 8/21/06 at 11:59am

"It must be annoying for Amy to have herself get soaked in water practically every day. I figured the water part was a rip-off of a cheesy 80s music video. "

Thanks.. now I am stressed, hurting, AND feel older than dirt.

FLASHDANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dancingthrulife04]

re: Wedding Singer Tues. 8/15 LONG Overdue Review#2

Posted: 8/21/06 at 12:06pm

The water thing is from "Flashdance," which is a movie.
"Stereotypically" is a word.

Glad you had fun!

http://www.beintheheights.com/katnicole1 (Please click and help me win!) I chose, and my world was shaken- So what?
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda "And when Idina Menzel is singing, I'm always slightly worried that her teeth are going to jump out of her mouth and chase me." - Schmerg_the_Impaler

[millie_dillmount]

re: Wedding Singer Tues. 8/15 LONG Overdue Review#3

Posted: 8/21/06 at 12:14pm

Okay...so I never saw Flashdance. Well, I got the impression it was from 80s music video.

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

[muscle23ftl]

re: Wedding Singer Tues. 8/15 LONG Overdue Review#4

Posted: 8/21/06 at 1:47pm

"It must be annoying for Amy to have herself get soaked in water practically every day. I figured the water part was a rip-off of a cheesy 80s music video. "

and sometimes twice a day, when they do matinees, but I bet you haven't seen Bombay Dreams, the entire cast pretty much got completely wet during a number, a lot more water. Glad you got to see TWS again.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

[newsieboy23]

re: Wedding Singer Tues. 8/15 LONG Overdue Review#5

Posted: 8/21/06 at 2:47pm

22 makes you feel stressed hurt and older then dirt? Ouch

[broadwayguy2]

re: Wedding Singer Tues. 8/15 LONG Overdue Review#6

Posted: 8/21/06 at 3:01pm

haha.. well, someone not knowing FLASHDANCE makes me feel old.

As far as hurt goes, I think I pulled a muscle or something... so.. yeah.