It's New Jersey in the 1980s, and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is all the rage on the wedding circuit. That is until his fiancé leaves him at the altar. Cheng/Ferrara Productions presents the hit musical comedy, "The Wedding Singer," at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre Fridays Feb. 11 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, Feb. 12 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, Feb. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Feb. 11.
Post-breakup Robbie is an emotional wreck living in his grandmother's basement. After a public meltdown at a wedding gig, he can't go any lower. Then he is befriended by Julia, a kind-hearted wedding hall waitress. As Robbie helps Julia plan her own wedding and the big day approaches, the sparks between them begin to fly. But will they recognize it in time? What's to become of Julia's fiancé Glen, a dodgy Wall Street broker? Will Robbie be able to deliver his best wedding song ever to win Julia's heart?
With music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Chad Geguelin and Tim Herlihy, "The Wedding Singer" premiered on Broadway in 2006, where it ran for 284 performances and was nominated for five Tony Awards. Subsequent productions have toured the United States, Europe and Australia. It is based on the 1998 film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
"The Wedding Singer" stars Bill Kamps of Burlington as Robbie Hart; Kelliann DeCarlo of East Brunswick as Julia Sullivan; Kevin Palardy of Doylestown, Pa., as Sammy; Caleb Whipple of Princeton as George; Christopher Kamps of Somerset as Glen Guglia; Ellen LeCorte of Titusville as Rosie; Heather Santos of Philadelphia, Pa., as Holly; and Jennifer Jacober of Bensalem, Pa. as Linda.
The ensemble includes Jill Bradshaw of Audubon, Steven Ginn, Jr. of Blackwood, Hilary Goldman of Brooklyn, N.Y., Cathryn Hardy of Old Bridge, Zach Mazouat of Mount Olive, Alison McMullen of Ewing, Nikema Missouri, Rachel Tovar of Trenton, and Timothy Walton of Easton, Pa.
Dance ensemble members are: Lynn Baskin of Lambertville, Jaimie Bass of Flanders, John Boccanfuso of Hamilton, Kimberly Cupo of Fairless Hills, Pa., Dominick Sannelli of Levittown, Jenna Schottlander of Allentown, Stephanie Venanzi of Hamilton, and Koren Zander of San Francisco.
The production is directed by Frank Ferrara of West Windsor with musical direction by Shannon Ferrara of West Windsor and Nicholas Cheng of Hamilton. Choreography is by Dani Tucci-Juraga. Stage managers are Nancy Russell and Ruth Kresge of Yardley, Pa., and associate stage manager is Kyrus Westcott of Hamilton. Judi Parrish of West Trenton is technical director and Bryan Schendlinger of Philadelphia, Pa., is set designer.
Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for seniors, and $12 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website.
