Susan Granger’s review of “The Wedding Singer” (Al Hirschfeld Theater)
If you’re looking for campy, exuberant fun – like “Mama Mia” and “Hairspray” – don’t wait for an engraved invitation, just get in line for “The Wedding Singer.”
Based on the popular film of the same name, it’s about a vulnerable, soft-hearted wedding singer, Robbie Hart (Stephen Lynch) who’s jilted at the altar by tempestuous Linda (Felicia Finley) and soon falls for a sweetly quirky waitress, Julia Sullivan (Laura Benanti), who’s engaged to an arrogant, self-absorbed Wall Street jerk (Richard H. Blake). Robbie and Julia are right for each other, even though they don’t realize it simultaneously and must meander into matrimony. But you know that.
The catchy opening number, “It’s Your Wedding Day,” expertly choreographed by Rob Ashford, sets the celebratory tone, as the nostalgic book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy (who wrote the screenplay) with vintage, often vulgar lyrics by Beguelin and music by Matthew Sklar pulls out every ’80s pop culture reference – from Ferris Bueller to the McRib sandwich. There’s even a subtle dig when the stockbroker advises against buying shares of a Seattle coffe shop that’s going public selling $3 cups of java.
Filling Adam Sandler’s shoes, Stephen Lynch is a competent comedian while lovely Laura Benanti takes the dewy Drew Barrymore part. Rita Gardner is engaging as Robbie’s eccentric grandma, and Amy Spangler, Kevin Cahoon and Matthew Saldivar strut their stuff in the ‘best friend’ parts.
Directed by John Rando, the glossy chorus maintains the high-energy pace, while Scott Pask’s set evokes suburban New Jersey and Gregory Gale’s costumes are suitably garish and gaudy. And it’s an amusing fillip when celebrity impersonators transport Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner, Ronald Reagan and Imelda Marcos to a Las Vegas wedding chapel. “The Wedding Singer” is a light-weight, captivating, crowd-pleasing musical romp.