One thing that always bothers me is a compliment that comes with a qualifier. My least favorite is when someone tells me “You look great.” Then feels compelled to add, “…for your age.”
This comes to mind when reviewing “The Wedding Singer”, which is at Washington Park in Albany. It’s a fun-filled production, sung with beauty and has dancing that is energetically awesome.
But because the show, for which most seats are free, and runs though August 20, is presented under the auspices of the Playhouse Stage Academy, many will agree that “The Wedding Singer” is a terrific show, then add “Especially when you consider it’s performed by kids”.
Wrong! Simply and plainly “The Wedding Singer” is an enjoyable night of musical theater using talented, well-trained performers. The age of the actors (approximately late-teens to very early 20s) rarely infringes on the fun of the night.
“The Wedding Singer” is a musical adaptation of the 1998 film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore as individuals who are engaged to people unworthy of them.
Once Robbie Hart, who makes a living singing at weddings, meets Julia Sullivan, a wedding waitress, a connection develops. It takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes and two dozen songs later that they realize what the audience knows immediately-they were meant for each other.
That obvious love is because of two adorable performances. One is by Aidan Halsey, who can be as dense as Sandler, but with a much more charming personality. Add to that a great voice and understanding of lyrics and you have a performance to remember.
As Julia, Emma Cornish is not just the sweet adorable girl next door. She is so charming, attractive, reasonable and loyal -she is the epitome of a lead actress who can handle a variety of musical styles. But she excels in the romantic insightful ballad.
There are about 30 people on stage, many of whom are asked to play characters above their age and comfort level. All are better than acceptable in their roles.
Of course, though the leads carry the show, often the quality of the cast is displayed by key supporting roles, especially the negative types.
In the Park production Logan Esposito plays Robbie’s best friend. He is girl crazy and kind of a jerk with a large ego. However, Esposito without disguising his flaws, shows him as a nice guy and a loyal friend.
J.J. Razzano plays Glen, Julia’s fiancé. He’s a cheater who is only interested in money and other material things. While it’s clear we don’t want them together, Razzano comes across as a shallow human, not a bad person.
There are a lot of youth productions where the singing is lovely. With this group the characterizations within the entire cast elevate the work, even in a flimsy piece like “The Wedding Singer.”
For this, director Chuck Kraus deserves enormous credit.
A genuine bonus in “The Wedding Singer” is the choreography, the likes of which you will rarely find in local adult casted shows.
Indeed, the opening number is such a thriller you think it might be the highlight of the night.
However Ashley Simon Kirchner’s choreography is dazzling throughout and well executed with skill and enthusiam.
The night I attended the temperature was in the 90s. Add endurance to the accolades.
There is one minor problem with the production and that is only partially the fault of the cast as some of the play’s humor doesn’t work.
The play is set in 1985 and jokes about New Coke and people never paying $3 for a cup of coffee fall flat - no matter your age.
“The Wedding Singer” plays in Washington Park in Albany through August 20. Most seats are free but reserved seats and tables can be had by calling 518-434-0776 or go to playhousestage.org.
Bob Goepfert is theater reviewer for the Troy Record.
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