TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING Opens Off-Broadway Tonight
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 28, 2014
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Known as the "Granddaddy of Interactive Theater," Tony n' Tina's Wedding set the gold standard for the genre with an all-inclusive two-part event where audience members take on the roles of family and friends of the bride and groom. Now beginning this spring, the celebration is coming back to the heart of Times Square.
As with the original production, the show begins with a sidesplitting ceremony, which will now be held at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School at 120 West 46th Street (formerly the Performing Arts High School, the school on which the film and TV show Fame was based).
Immediately following the ceremony, the bridal party will escort their family and friends through the heart of Times Square and Shubert Alley to Guy's American Kitchen & Bar (220 West 44th Street)! Once at Guy's American, guests will enjoy an Italian-style buffet dinner, as well as cocktails and dancing all night long to DJ Donny Dulce, NYC's #1 wedding singer/DJ.
Performances began on March 13th and run Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7 PM. Opening Night is set for tonight, April 28th.
The cast features:
The Wedding Party
Valentina Lynne Nunzio, The Bride -Marilia AngelineAnthony Angelo Nunzio, The Groom - Joe Ferraro
Connie Mocogni, The Maid of Honor - Chloë Patellis
Barry Wheeler, The Best Man - Sam Masotto
Donna Marsala, Bridesmaid - Emily Dinova
Dominick Fabrizzi, Usher - Gregory Cioffi
Marina Gulino, Bridesmaid - Marissa Perry
Johnny Nunzio, Usher & Brother of The Groom - Chris Lazzaro
Joseph Vitale, Brother of The Bride - John T. Lynes
Luigi Domenico, Great Uncle of The Bride - Gus Theodoro
Rose Domenico, Aunt of The Bride - Silvana Mastrolia
Sr. Albert Maria, Cousin of The Bride - Courtney Brooke LauriaThe Groom's FamilyAnthony Angelo Nunzio, Father of The Groom - Rick Pasqualone
Madeline Monroe, Mr. Nunzio's Girlfriend - Debbie Pingitore
Grandma Nunzio, Grandmother of The Groom - Annie Rachele LanzillottoFriends of the Bride & Groom Michael Just, Tina's Ex-Boyfriend - Brad Martocello
Father Mark, The Parish Priest - Tim MonaghanHired Help Vinnie Black, The Caterer - Al Quagliata
Loretta Black, Wife of The Caterer - Susan Campanaro
Nikki Black, Daughter of The Caterer - Concetta Rose Rella
Pat Black, Sister of The Caterer - Tiffany Dawn Chilcott
Mike Black, Son of The Caterer - Kyle Axman
Mick Black, Brother of The Caterer - Chris DePierro
Rick Demarco, The Video Man - Anthony Fett
Sal Antonucci, The Photographer - Michael Gargani
Donny Dulce, The Wedding Singer - Micah Spayer
The newly updated production, with a contemporary setting, will take full advantage of the latest advances in social media that didn't exist for the original production. According to producer Joe Corcoran, "Just like guests at a real wedding, our guests are encouraged to share their experience with friends and loved ones through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Vine - Live from the show!!"
After attending the wedding, all guests will receive a Thank You note from Tony n' Tina and a password to view their crazy honeymoon pictures online. This is a party that will have you laughing for many years to come. And now, instead of having to pick up the phone to share your fun, you can just post a photo or send a tweet to share your experience.
Tony n' Tina's Wedding was conceived at Hofstra University where Mark Nasser and Nancy Cassaro (the original Tony and Tina) were undergraduates. Both in the drama department from 1977-1981 they made up these characters and would often improv with each other, acting out the roles of two Italian boyfriend-girlfriends, just for fun. As their professional relationship continued (after moving to New York City after graduating), their characters continued to develop. In 1985, the idea to present an interactive wedding, where the audience played the guests, was planned and three performances were done. Between 1985 and February 1987, two additional developmental productions were mounted. When People Magazine attended in 1987 and wrote a 3-page story declaring the show "A Hit," it was clear to everyone that the show must continue. At that point, Joe Corcoran secured the worldwide rights to present the show in New York and elsewhere, and in February 1988 the first commercial production was mounted in Greenwich Village. The church ceremony took place at St. John's Church on Christopher Street, and the reception above Gus' Restaurant on Waverly and Waverly in Greenwich Village. As the audience attended the church service, then walked along with the cast, across 7th Avenue to Waverly Place, the show became a fixture of the Greenwich Village neighborhood, running at that location for the first 10 years, before moving to Times Square where it ran for another 10 years.
Tickets are $125 for "Friends" seating, with Premium/Family Seating available at $175 for all performances. Tickets are available by phone, toll free, at 866-811-4111 or online at www.TonyLovesTina.com, where you can see video, photos, and more. You can also interact with our characters via Twitter and Facebook.
Photo Credit: Michel Delsol
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