The Wedding Singer
A review… by Sam the Review Guy
As a 90s-born homo, I can’t say I’m a huge fan of Adam Sandler’s career. Sure, people enjoy him. Sure, I still look at this photo of him and get a bit sweaty. But I just know that he’s the sorta bloke that would have said NO HOMO in the 2000s after accidentally touching his broseph’s knee.
That being said, as a 90s-born homo it’s my civil duty to be a Drew Barrymore fan. So, of course, when The Wedding Singer musical, based off the ’98 AdSad and DB flick, I knew I had to give it a shot. As we’ve established, I’m not a product of the 80s. Obvs I love Whitney and think tulle is the most versatile fabric on the planet, but I truly (madly, deeply) thought that as a society we were beyond the 80s nostalgia, and especially the 80s inspired musical…
- WAS. WRONG.
Picture this: opening night at The Athenaeum. Sprink and I donned our finest blue-carpet attire. She in a silk onesie, me (Sam the Review Guy) in my finest sequin jacket. We’d just come from a Drag Race Down Under viewing party and we were on a high, but mentally prepared to leave this show having not felt the vibe.
As stated, I was wrong. This show was the most fun I’d had at the theatre in a bloody long time. Every single person on that stage came out for the opening number and gave 130% effort. Choreo throughout is fcking lit, had me dancing in my seat, and made me wish I was alive in the 80s… cut to me searching for Jane Fonda Workout Videos on YouTube.
The cast are so talented it’s insane. Sam the Review Guy’s thirst trap of the show goes to Christian Charisiou, which is fortunate because he’s the star (aka AdSad). By his side is Teagan Wouters as Julia, and gang, we feel for Teags. Poor thing has the most boring character in the show (like hello why does the female lead always have to be dull and waiting for a man???? Like girl, go out, live your best life, have sex with strangers, it’s the 80…), but sweet Teags plays the role perfectly. She’s gorg. And somehow manages to elegantly hoist herself up onto a dumpster for a song literally titled Come Out of the Dumpster (see why I wasn’t going in with high hopes?? It’s a song about a dumpster).
Anyway, fast forward to the end of Act I and we get to arguably the greatest song in the show. The cast have popped a berocca offstage and came back to close the act with 150% effort. Sprink and I left at the end of the night belting that song as we drove down Bridge Rd (cos yes we’re both inner-East binches now. Don’t make a thing of it).
Other things of note:
- Nadia Komazec as Holly (AKA fake Madonna) was super fun and really got you feelin’
- Sprink’s favourite character was the grandmother (shoutout to Susan-Ann Walker)
- Overall casting was A++
- And finally, PETTIFLEUR FROM RHOM WAS THERE. I DIE.
If you’re looking for a no-embarrassment-needed fun night, then this is the show for you.
Love, Sam The Review Guy
