THE WEDDING SINGER 8th – 13th April 2024
Book by Chad Beguelin & Tim Herlihy
Music by Mathew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Directed by Heather Barlow
Musical Director : Allan Fouracre
Choreography by Daisy Dafters
Let’s head back to the 1980s! Rock star wannabe Robbie Heart is New Jersey’s most in-demand wedding singer because as he says himself, “Love is what I do”.
However, when his own wedding plans go down the pan and he is left standing at the altar, Robbie’s heartbreak and grief suddenly make him the worst wedding singer you can find! He ruins every wedding he plays at, until he meets with Julia, a pretty young waitress who dreams of her own perfect wedding.
There’s just one problem. She’s already engaged to Glen, a rich, and very shallow Wall Street broker.
Despite Robbie and Julia’s growing feelings, a series of miscommunications lead them away from each other.
When Julia elopes with Glen to Las Vegas, Robbie decides to play the gig of his life to win her heart and her hand in marriage.
Ok, it’s a bit of a feeble plot. But definitely don’t let that put anyone off this show. It’s a load of fun and goes down well with audiences who are currently besieged with gloomy national and international news. Our audiences loved it!
If you are looking for a night out to leave behind the cares of the world, then this show could be just the ticket.
Featuring music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, The Wedding Singer had its world premiere at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington.
Previews began on January 31, 2006, before officially opening on February 8, 2006, and running a limited engagement through February 19, 2006.
The Wedding Singer then went on to previews on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on March 30, 2006, opening officially on April 27, 2006, and closing on December 31, 2006, after 284 performances and 25 previews. It was directed by John Rando, with choreography by Rob Ashford and featured Stephen Lynch as Robbie.
The CODS production of The Wedding Singer began its initial introductions way back in October 2023. There followed a six month run up to the April production.
The thorough preparation by our director Heather, ensured that a great deal of information about the show was available for the cast. It’s music, the characterisations, audition pieces etc, etc were all there to inform auditions and early rehearsals via our website.
Following the auditions in early December the rehearsals began in earnest in January, as did all the planning that is essential to get a production to the stage.
And what a fine show it turned out to be.
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CODS PHOTO GALLERY “SMUGMUG”
Photographs from THE WEDDING SINGER and previous CODS productions
are all available on this gallery.
These range from the very early productions to the present day.
There are also some movie clips.
Just click the button and select the show. Enjoy!
THE BAND
Allan Fouracre (MD) & Simon Carter: Keyboards. Frazer Morgan : Guitar Phil Williams : Bass
Dave Lambert : Reeds Dean Morgan : Drums
BEHIND THE SCENES ……
As always, a huge amount of teamwork supported the show behind the scenes. Approximately 30 names are listed in the programme. To many to list again here, but a special shout out to Leala and team in the costume department. Nicky, Gina and team for production management and Simon, Craig and Gill and their various crews. Great work everyone!
NODA REVIEW
An amateur production presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. www.mtishows.co.uk
CODS is a member of NODA
