The Tony-nominated Broadway musical comedy "The Wedding Singer" debuted in Atlanta on October 16 and will conclude its run at The Fabulous Fox Theatre this weekend.

Based upon the 1998 hit film that starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, which grossed over $120 million worldwide, “The Wedding Singer" takes a turn as a high-energy stage production set in the 1980s when junk bonds, “Dynasty,” Duran Duran and leg warmers were the order of the day.

The show introduces us to Robbie Hart who lives in his grandmother’s basement in New Jersey and sings in a wedding band. His dreams of being a singer/songwriter are long gone, replaced now by a burning desire to find the right girl and settle down. When his fiancée leaves him standing at the altar, he becomes a wedding planner’s worst nightmare, taking out his bitterness on stage until his eye and heart turn to a new friend, Julia, who happens to be engaged to a wealthy Wall Street broker.

The tuneful and funny original score by two of Broadway’s freshest young award-winning talents, composer Matthew Sklar and lyricist Chad Beguelin, make this show fun for everyone. "The Wedding Singer" also features a hilarious and romantic book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, the screenwriter of the hit movie and former “Saturday Night Live” head writer.

"The Wedding Singer" features original Broadway direction by Tony Award-winner John Rando, recreated by Paul Stancato; original Broadway choreography by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford, recreated by Chris Bailey and Tony Award-winning set designer Scott Pask.

The show was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Musical, nominated for eight Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical, nominated for three Drama League Awards including Distinguished Production of a Musical and nominated for four Broadway.com Audience Awards including Favorite New Broadway Musical.

Herlihy, who wrote the screenplay for the film "The Wedding Singer," also made a cameo appearance in the film as a bartender. A former head writer for “Saturday Night Live,” he also penned the screenplays for “Mr. Deeds,” “Little Nicky,” “Big Daddy,” “The Waterboy,” “Happy Gilmore,” and “Billy Madison.” He was executive producer for the Jack Nicholson/Adam Sandler film, “Anger Management” and served in the same capacity for the hit comedy, “The Longest Yard.”

Beguelin is a recipient of The Edward Kleban Award for Outstanding Lyric Writing, the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award, and was selected as one of Variety’s “50 Creatives to Watch.” Beguelin wrote the book and lyrics for “The Rhythm Club” (Helen Hayes Nomination), “Wicked City” and wrote the book for Disney’s stage version of “Aladdin.”

Sklar’s original works include “The Rhythm Club,” “Wicked City” and several projects for Disney, which are currently running in destinations worldwide. He has worked extensively as a pianist and conductor for many Broadway musicals including “Nine,” “Les Miserables,” “Titanic,” “Caroline or Change,” “Miss Saigon” and “42nd Street.” Sklar is a recipient of the Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Musical Theatre Award and the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award.

Director John Rando is the Tony Award-winning director of “Urinetown.” Last year, he directed “The Downtown Plays,” the centerpiece of the inaugural Tribeca Theater Festival.

Tickets for “The Wedding Singer” can be purchased through authorized ticket sellers at The Fox Theatre box office, Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 404-817-8700. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000. Ticket prices range from $19-55.

“The Wedding Singer” will play the Fox Theatre on Friday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 21 at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

The Atlanta engagement of “The Wedding Singer” is presented by arrangement with Broadway Across America-Atlanta.

login to post comments