The Wedding Singer Musical for Phoenix Ensemble
If you loved the film version of The Wedding Singer, the stage musical version builds on the original, with more singing, more glitter and more 80s references.
Phoenix Ensemble presents the Broadway musical version at their boutique Pavilion Theatre in Beenleigh, Queensland, every Friday and Saturday night from February 5 to 27, 2016.
Based on the popular 1998 movie, The Wedding Singer is the story of wannabe rock star/wedding singer Robbie Hart, whose belief in true love is shattered when he’s left at the altar, and Julia Sullivan, a sweet girl engaged to the wrong guy. The glam and glitz of the 80s forms the backdrop as this pair of unlucky lovers find and fall for each other.
Director Alicia Caruana said The Wedding Singer musical takes everything that was great about the movie and turns it up a notch, particularly the music.
"All but two songs are original and those two are the most popular from the movie: Adam Sandler's “Somebody Kill Me” and “Grow Old With You”. The storyline is very similar with a few additions and surprises to make it feel new and exciting.”
Putting the show together gave Alicia – a child of the 80s – the opportunity to indulge her soft spot for bad perms, mullets and synthsisers.
"The Wedding Singer is littered with every 80's reference and pun you could possibly pack into one show and we've costumed it to match. There is nothing too ugly or outrageous it couldn't be used.
"But it's in the music you that you feel the spirit of the 80s come alive. You can really hear the sounds of Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Blondie and The Police in a lot of the tracks. The composers have managed to capture the sound of the 80s and have packed in a cross-section of as many sounds and genres as possible."
Even with all those musical references, the show is more than just an homage to the over-the-top decade.
"Everyone who has ever had their heart broken can relate to Robbie and his story. It's why “Somebody Kill Me” (sung by Adam Sandler in the film version) is such a hit song."
Alicia says the biggest challenge has been staging such a large-scale show in the boutique Pavilion Theatre.
"Through clever set design, props and a great cast we’ve managed to bring that super energetic feeling you get from a big scale production into a more intimate space. You'll be able to really feel like you’re a part of the action and the story in a way that you wouldn't get from being in a cavernous theatre."
She says audiences can expect to laugh till they hurt, cry, cringe and come out wanting to do the 80s all over again.
"Yes it's full of flashy costumes, bad hair and big laughs but it also has a such a big heart."
Venue: Pavilion Theatre, Beenleigh Showgrounds, James Street, Beenleigh

Performances: 7.30pm - 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 February, and 2pm - 12 February (Saturday)
Tickets:Adult: from $28
Images: Robbie (Brock Dunstan) and Julia (Katya Bryant), & New Jersey wedding band, Simply Wed - from left George (Sammy Ge), Robbie Hart (Brock Dunstan) and Sammy (Tyler Stevens).
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