Last night, The Colony Theatre closed its latest show, “The Wedding Singer,” a burst of 1980s color and charisma with its newest musical production.
Based on the beloved 1998 film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, this musical comedy brings all the camp, heartache, and hairspray of its cinematic predecessor, while standing confidently on its own two dancing feet. With a sharp, well-tuned cast and infectious music, it’s a show that delivers laughs, nostalgia, and toe-tapping fun from start to finish.
The production, directed under the vision of Producing Artistic Director Heather Provost, officially opened Saturday, June 7, following two preview performances. First premiering on Broadway in 2006, _The Wedding Singer _ was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and features music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy.
This new production stars Glee’s Blake Jenner as Robbie Hart, the lovable New Jersey wedding singer who’s left at the altar and suddenly can’t seem to get through a gig without sabotaging someone else’s special day. Opposite him, Hannah Sedlacek charms as Julia, the waitress with a dream wedding of her own, only to find herself caught between her Wall Street fiancé and a newly smitten Robbie. Broadway veteran Kay Cole (A Chorus Line) lends her talents alongside Juliane Godfrey(SpongeBob SquarePants), Michael Austin Deni, Colin Huerta, Chris Bey, Natalie Holt MacDonald, and Whitney Kathleen Vigil, rounding out a high-energy ensemble.
The cast is a powerhouse of vocal and comedic talent. The songs (including “It’s Your Wedding Day,” “Casualty of Love,” and “Grow Old With You”) were performed with precision and personality. The dance numbers, infused with 80s-style movement and big group energy, were a standout as well—tight, fun, and often hilarious.
What’s most impressive is how the production honors the movie while carving out its own personality. The script sticks close to the original plot beats, but slight tweaks to pacing and tone elevate the stage version. At no point does it feel like a mere reenactment. Instead, it brings a theatrical energy that keeps the story feeling fresh, even for longtime fans of the film.
Audience members around me were laughing out loud, nodding to the music, and clearly having a great time. I was, too. From the clever one-liners to the heartfelt musical moments, the show delivered on every front. The pacing was brisk, especially in the second act, and the show knew exactly when to let a joke land or when to kick into a big number.
In the words of Heather Provost: “I have been wanting to produce this show for a very long time. The music is fantastic — it’s one of my favorite Broadway scores.” That love and enthusiasm was apparent in every part of the production. It’s a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and because of that, it feels joyful, communal, and worth the ticket.
If you’re a fan of musicals, live theater, or 80s culture, The Wedding Singer at The Colony Theatre is a must-see. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it doesn’t miss a beat.
For more information, visit https://www.colonytheatre.org/the-wedding-singer.
THE WEDDING SINGER – THE MUSICAL COMEDY
BOOK BY CHAD BEGUELIN AND TIM HERLIHY; MUSIC BY MATTHEW SKLAR, LYRICS BY CHAD BEGUELIN
BASED ON THE NEW LINE CINEMA FILM WRITTEN BY TIM HERLIHY
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL DONOVAN; CHOREOGRAPHED BY MICHELLE ELKIN, MUSICAL DIRECTION BY BRENT CRAYON
Blake Jenner – Robbie Hart
Hannah Seplacek – Julia
Kay Cole – Rosie
Juliane Godfrey – Holly
Colin Huerta – Sammy
Chris Bey – George
Natalie Hold Macdonald – Linda
Whitney Kathleen Vigil – Angie/Ensemble
ENSEMBLE – Mike Baker, Michael Wells, Samantha Lawrence-Mata, Stephen L. Wilson, Kailyn Leilani, Christopher Ho, Veronica Carolina Leite, Madison Aisanaye, Honza Pelichovsky, Almand Martin Jr., Liv Kaplan
Lisa Dyson – Rosie Standby
