MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING Returns Off-Broadway to St. Luke's Theatre, Previews Begin Today

My Big Gay Italian Wedding, by Anthony J. Wilkinson, will return for a limited run Off-Broadway at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street. Previews begin tonight, November 3.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding satirizes the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage while drawing on larger than life gay and Italian characters. Anthony Pinnunziato, a gay Italian-American from a large chaotic family, wants to marry his boyfriend Andrew Polinski in a traditional Italian ceremony. Anthony's overbearing mother won't give her blessing unless Andrew's estranged mother also gives her blessing and the ceremony is performed by a priest. Matters are further complicated by Andrew's ex-boyfriend, intent on breaking up the couple.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding premiered at the Actor's Playhouse in November 2003. On September 12, 2009, a revised and updated version of the play played a benefit performance at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island, and then moved to St. Luke's Theatre in Manhattan in May 2010 for a sixteen month run.

During the run, the show hosted major celebrities to raise money and awareness for marriage equality and the Trevor Project. In January of 2011, Samuel French signed on to represent Wilkinson and license the show. So far the show has played in El Paso, Omaha, Louisville and is scheduled to play in five other major cities in 2013 including Los Angeles in January. Last spring My Big Gay Italian Wedding played in Edinburgh, Scotland during the Fringe Festival and for six weeks in London. After receiving high accolades the show was picked up for a UK tour that commenced in France this past May. The show continues to make its way across the globe and is scheduled to open in Hong Kong in October.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding is now being presented by Bianco Productions and will be directed by two-time Emmy award winning Director, Sonia Blangiardo. Sonia received Emmy Awards for her work on “One Life To Live” and “As The World Turns” and is currently a director for “General Hospital.” The show will once again contain original music and lyrics from David James Boyd and original choreography from J. Austin Eyer. The scenic design is by Frank Gericitano.

The new production will feature recording artists Kim Sozzi (Singer of the Billboard Chart Topping Hits “Feel Your love”, “Kiss Me Back”, and “Little Bird”) as well as Judy Torres (“No Reason To Cry”, “Come Into My Arms” and “Faithfully”) who will rotate the role of “Aunt Toniann.” The show also features Anthony J. Wilkinson and Daniel Robinson (Hairspray, Big Gay Musical) as the respective grooms.

The rest of the cast includes Brett Douglas (Maurizio), Donna Castellano (Angela), Joe Scanio (Joseph), Meridith Cullen (Maria), Justin Flexen (Gregorio), Liz Gerecitano (Lucia), Meagan Robar (Connie), Tommaso Antico (Mario), Michael Gellert (Frankie), Erik Ransom (Rodney), Chad Kessler (Father Rosalia), Paul Moon, and Leah Gerstel.

Performances of My Big Gay Italian Wedding will be at St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Tickets are $69.50, including $1.50 restoration fee, and are available through Telecharge.com or by phone at 212-239-6200.

For more information visit www.BigGayItalianWedding.com.