Reviewed by Dave Smith
May 2015
Marie Clark Musical Theatre’s well-cast production of The Wedding Singer was funny, satirical and energetic. Experienced director Max Rayner successfully brought together all the necessary musical theatre elements, and was well supported by musical director Ben Stefanoff and choreographer Rachel Dow.
The band was well situated up stage and from there Stefanoff managed the music with surety. There was a refreshingly secure sound balance between the band and singers, a feat not always achieved in community theatre.
The plot is transparently thin. In short, the nice couple end up together, while their less desirable would-be partners are discarded along the way. The strength of this production was not what it was but how the company presented it. There were convincing leads and a strong supporting ensemble.
Rohan Watts was warmly engaging and suitably vulnerable as Robbie Hart, the wedding singer. Tegan Gully as Julia Sullivan won Robbie’s affection in a guileless, sincere way. There was a pleasing balance between them, both emotionally and vocally.
Gavin Cianci convincingly educed every possible bit of smarminess as Glen Guglia, and did well not to overplay the role. He was the more convincing for that. Rachel da Graca Costa was charming and lively as Holly, Julia’s loyal friend, while Damien Quick was flamboyantly amusing as George. His duet Move That Thang with Laura Villani as the elderly Rosie, was both funny and touching.
Sebastian Cooper as Sammy and Sarah Wildy as Linda, Robbie’s ex, were others to impress in this thoroughly entertaining show.
