‘The Wedding Singer’ at Theatre Three

'The Wedding Singer' at Theatre Three

July 16, 2009 | 10:58 AM
Theatre Three in Port Jefferson was smoking hot as the cast was on fire for the opening performance of "The Wedding Singer" directed by Jeffrey Sanzel. In what seemed the "best of" from the talent pool at Theatre Three, Sanzel pulls the right combination to offer an endearing story line, catchy musicality by music director Kevin Story, high-stepping and acrobatic choreography by Jean Sorbera with a tastefully simple backdrop provided by set designer Randall Parsons. The book is by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, with music by Matthew Sklar. It was a high-energy evening from the outset that never lost its kick and brought the audience to their feet for a standing ovation.

In what has become Parsons' signature stamp of simplicity and elegance, the set seamlessly transforms from a catering hall, to basement bedroom of the main character Robbie Hart — played brilliantly by Morgan Howell Rumble — to a raunchy nightclub, airport terminal and Las Vegas wedding chapel. One of the scenes takes place in a revolving restaurant with Parsons' project buildings moving across the scrim in the background giving the feeling that the set is actually revolving.

The story centers around Hart and Julia Sullivan, played by Anya Absten who become friends through a catering hall where Robbie is the leader of a wedding band and Julia works as a waitress. While they are betrothed to others, they build a strong bond as they work through the struggles of their respective relationships. Absten portrays a young waitress with a natural awkward and quirky exuberance that is very similar to the character played by Drew Barrymore in the movie version. She brings an innate light to the stage and can play sweet without being too syrupy. It is easy to fall in love with her character.

Rumble displays the most range as he transitions from the life of the party to the very depths when he is stood up at his own wedding. What follows is the hysterical "Casualty of Love" where he riddles a bride and groom with every gloomy element that love offers. It is a far departure from his life-of-the-party persona and what follows is a parade of every stereotypical loser strategically placed at "table nine" far from the more desired guests.

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Rumble delivers comedy as easily as he delivers misery and often the two are one and the same. He has a velvet voice, and carries it through the highs and lows with his guitar in tow. There is an authentic chemistry between Rumble's and Absten's characters which makes the window into their journey so enjoyable. Their harmonies are beautiful and their interaction is pure. It is hard to believe they can find one another amidst the sometimes unsavory environment and the people they encounter.

One cannot begin to mention this show without acknowledging the plethora of iconic 1980s references. One of the most outstanding features of this show is the countless wigs by designer Tim Conway which capture the hairstyles of that time. Vegas impersonators who appear include Billy Idol (Ryan Raybuck), Cyndi Lauper (Alyson Clancy), Mr. T. (Tyrell Roberts), Tina Turner (Crystal Grandison), Ronald Reagan (Chadd McMillan) and Imelda Marcos (Caitlin Mesiano) — each with characteristic "doos" accompanied by their idiosyncratic mannerisms.

The lighting by Robert Henderson was cleverly in sync with the music with such numbers as "All About the Green" where transparent sidelights are illuminated in green to the beat of the song. It was a great effect. Enough cannot be said about the choreography. The intense level of tricks, acrobatics, line dances and more set a new bar for performance at Theatre Three.

One of the jewels of the Theatre Three family back from yet another national tour is Sari Feldman who plays Holly. Feldman absorbs this role and is a powerful thread tying this production up in a nice neat package. She is a powerhouse. She delivers Broadway-style dance sequences and serves up some mighty vocals.

Making his Long Island regional theater debut at Theatre Three is Troy Morgan who plays George, a member of Robbie's wedding band who dresses in the style of Boy George. He is a delicious scene stealer making every moment on stage matter. His demeanor offers that cool swagger while playing the keyboards, his dance sequences have beautiful lines and he is subtly hysterical. Every so often an actor dons a role they completely morph into. Such was the case with Morgan. He is engaging and smooth.

If you love a straight forward story line, the 1980s, comedy, engaging characters, uplifting music and complex dance numbers, "The Wedding Singer" offers this and more. This is arguably the best musical that has ever been presented at Theatre Three. It runs through Aug. 15. For tickets, call 928-9100 or log onto www.theatrethree.com.

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