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The
cast takes its bows following its dress rehearsal of “The Wedding
Singer” May 29. Members of the
audience were residents of the Versailles Health Care Center, family
and invited guests.
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Towne & Country Players
“The Wedding Singer”
is a raucous look at the 1980’s
By Bob Robinson
VERSAILLES – It’s funny. It’s raucous. It’s upbeat. It’s a jabbing look
at the fashions, styles and attitudes of the 1980’s.
“It is hilarious,” said Renee Seibert, who plays Holly, a somewhat
“loose” waitress who has her eyes briefly on Robbie, the “Wedding
Singer,” played by Ken DeMange.
She loses out, however, as Robbie falls for and wins the favors of
Julia, Holly’s waitress friend, played by Lynn Blakeley.
The Towne & Country Players’ production of the hit Broadway musical
comedy “The Wedding Singer” opened May 30 and 31 at the Versailles High
School Performing Arts Center. Additional performances are scheduled
for June 6 and 8 at 7 p.m. and June 9 at 2 p.m.
“It is definitely for a PG-13 audience,” said Keith Rawlins, who plays
drums in the orchestra, but also has walk-on performances as the Best
Man and a Waiter.
Jeremy Riley, director, agreed.
“We had to cut out a lot of stuff,” he said. “There were a lot of
lines, really raunchy clothing that we weren’t about to do.”
He added however that it was an ideal 1980’s rock show that is popular
with Darke County audiences.
“The last one we did like this was in 2004. ‘Footloose’ was sold out
almost every night.”
Riley is a veteran with the Towne & Country Players, having been in
over 20 shows over a span of 29 years. He prefers the stage, but agreed
to direct this show, something he has done only once before.
“I took one for the team,” he said, grinning.
With 25 musical numbers, usually including dance routines, the show
used seven choreographers.
“Each person – many of whom are also actors in the production – only
had one or two songs to work on. I really love the music… it was a
great movie 10 years ago,” he added.
The theme of the 80’s was “it’s all about the green (money),” and
included “appearances” by a variety of 80’s Las Vegas impersonators,
including Billy Idol, Cindy Lauper and Ronald Reagan. Julia’s fiancé,
Glen, played by Wayne Mescher, is a Wall Street tycoon who loses out in
a Vegas showdown to the lowly wedding singer, Robbie.
“What was really great about putting this production together,” Riley
said, “is the number of seasoned performers we have. With a cast of 30,
only two were first timers.”
Additional members of the cast are George, gay keyboard player, played
by Tyler DeMange; Sammy, Robbie’s best friend, played by Brian
Schwieterman; Rosie, Robbie’s grandma, played by Lois Knapke; Linda,
Robbie’s fiancé who dumped him at the alter, played by Bonnie Phlipot;
and Angie, Julia’s mother, played by Kim Borchers.
Musicians and production people include Sharon Tipton, piano, Doug
Cole, sound, Ron Asman, light technical director, Cherie Roeth, music
director, Jacob Brown, light designer/conductor, Angie DeMange, stage
crew manager, D. A. Nealeigh, bass guitar, Luke Nealeigh, electric
guitar and Mary Alice Newbauer, keboards.
The May 29 performance was a dress rehearsal with residents of the
Versailles Health Care Center invited to attend.
Published courtesy of The
Early Bird
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Keith
Rawlins plays drums in the orchestra but also has walk-ons as a Best
Man and a Waiter.
He is a seasoned veteran with the Towne & Country Players and
Artistic Director for
Darke County Center for the Arts.
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Robbie
(Ken DeMange) is despondent after being dumped by Linda. Julia (Lynn
Blakely)
tries to support him.
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Robbie
expresses his feelings for Julia (in the background).
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Back
stage, Holly (Renee Seibert) gets into character for her role.
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