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| Justin Jutras, Merritt David Janes and John Jacob Lee |
Date: 29 February 2008
There have been no end of juke box musicals to choose from recently, so the fact that The Wedding Singer has an original score makes it stand out in a crowd. But you are not watching a true original, as the show is based on the film of the same name which starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
Replacing these Hollywood stars are Jonathan Wilkes as Robbie Hart - the third rate wedding singer - and Natalie Casey as Julia, the waitress with a heart of gold. Once jilted at the altar, he falls for her - but she is due to wed rich guy, Glen. If you like “rom-coms”, then this one has many familiar ingredients to make you smile, including; annoying would-be spouses and wise cracking best friends. But it lacks real romance.
Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar’s songs are throwaway at best with plenty of 80’s references to keep them from becoming too forgettable. “Saturday Night In The City” brings the show to life but this is mainly due to a scene stealing turn from Jodie Jacobs. Her powerful vocals mean that you long for her character Holly to be centre stage throughout.
Likewise the brilliant Simon Lipkin as Robbie’s best buddy also gives it his all on the otherwise disposable track “Single.” He has great comic timing and again, it is a shame he is not one of the leads. Special mentions must go to crowd-pleasers Nick Hayes as George and Tricia Deighton as Grandma Rosie. Their “Grandma Rap” has the audience in stitches.
Wilkes is better than I have seen him before, both vocally and comically. But whenever he has to give Robbie light and shade, he struggles and reverts to playing himself. Casey, however is a fine comedienne and a great actress. Vocally though she is underwhelming; never quite hitting the high notes. Also, these two do not convince as a couple, as they seem more like slumber-party pals.
Isla Shaw’s cheap and cumbersome set design needs a revolve as you can see the stage hands, which often brings the narrative to a grinding halt. Karen Bruce’s normally athletic choreography also lacks the spark that turned Footloose into a hot show.
Does The Wedding Singer moon walk its way into your your heart? Not quite, but with a few more months on tour and heaps of energy and commitment, you might be more inclined to say: “I do.”
- Glenn Meads
| Score | Comment | Date |
 | I Have now seen this Show 3 times and it has always been a real joy - so full of energy and enthusiasm. I will be looking to go again when it hits the West End ! - Ann McGrory | 17 Jul 08 |
| Saw this last night in Nottingham. I have been a fan of the show since it opened on Broadway so I was expecting alot. The main review here is spot on, I couldn't agree more with it.
Jonathan Wilkes was not good at all. By the end of the show I swore we were watching a cheap Robbie Williams impersonator. He even stole some of Robbies moves ie the Mick Jagger strut and walking around like a gorilla! Vocally he was strong but his acting was woeful and even though you don't expect him to be Adam Sandler there has to be at least the essence of Robbie Hart there but he was just playing himself.
I adore Natalie Casey and make a habit of seeing her in anything she does but as much as I hate to say it she wasn't that good here. Her singing was weak and her timing was slow on pretty much every number, also as if she didn't have the confidence to really run with any song. When the two leads sang together their voices jarred and it didn't sound pleasent at all. There was no chemistry at all between the leads, even to the point that after the curtain call, Jonathan didn't even acknowledge Natalie, he would rather dance with other cast members, which is telling to the lack of chemistry on show.
I have never seen a professnional show that looked so cheap. The costumes and in particular the wigs were woeful. The set was shabby and cheap looking and there were so many mistakes made moving the set on and off it was terrible.
However, the show is not a total loss.
Simon Lipkin and Jodie Jacobs were prefection and if they had played the leads the show would have been a winner! They totally got their characters and got the accent down pat. Whenever they were on stage it lit up. Nick Hayes was wonderful too and brought a comic air that really made you wish he had more scenes! Overall, the feel good factor of the finale did sweep you up but on the whole the show was let down by miscasting and lack of money thrown at it.
Had to play the soundtrack cd in my car on the way home to remember how good this show can be. - Damon | 15 Jul 08 |
| amazing saw in milton keyens what a performance - vicky | 31 May 08 |
| loved it great acting, greatin performances all round - wesley | 31 May 08 |
| ÐÂÀËwow goldÓÉÐÂÀËÍøÕ½ÂÔºÏ×÷»ï°éÀÖ;wow goldÍøÈ«ÃæÔËÓª£¬Ìṩwow goldÏß·²éѯ¡¢wow gold»úƱ²éѯԤ¶©¡¢wow gold¾Æµê²éѯԤ¶©µÈÈ«·½Î»wow gold·þÎñ6787671@WOWGOLDS.COM - wow gold | 17 May 08 |
| complete rubbish - I was expecting great 80s throw back music, but instead get a new and terrible score. Attempted humour was continually flat, acting poor (several occasions of people forgetting lines) - first time I have left a show during the interval - Kevin Todd | 10 May 08 |
| complete rubbish - I was expecting great 80s throw back music, but instead get a new and terrible score. Attempted humour was continually flat, acting poor (several occasions of people forgetting lines) - first time I have left a show during the interval - Kevin Todd | 10 May 08 |
| Just don't bother to see this show. - David J | 29 Apr 08 |
| saw show monday night thought it was great - thomas oakley | 28 Feb 08 |
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