St. Luke's Theatre Presents MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL, Opens June 16

Staten Island native Anthony J. Wilkinson, most well known for brining "Boys Just Wanna Have Fun" and "My Big Gay Italian Wedding" to the Off-Broadway stage, is three weeks away from launching his latest endeavor, "My Big Gay Italian Funeral." The wedding is still currently running at St. Luke's Theatre and plays every Saturday at 8pm. The funeral will now join the St. Luke's line up and play every Sunday at 7pm after opening.

"My Big Gay Italian Funeral" is yet another comedy from Wilkinson and will use some of the same characters from "My Big Gay Italian Wedding." The father (Joe Pinnunziato) is now deceased and we introduce some new characters, namely Anthony's gay brother Peter Pinnunziato, who he hasn't spoken to in over a decade. Family drama and crazy characters unite when everything that can possibly happen at an Italian wake certainly will!

"My Big Gay Italian Funeral" is being presented by Bianco Productions and will be directed by two-time Emmy award winning Director, Sonia Blangiardo. Sonia received Emmy's for her work on "One Life To Live" and "As The World Turns" and is currently the Supervising Producer for the new "All My Children." Sonia also directed the latest revival of "My Big Gay Italian Wedding."

The cast of "My Big Gay Italian Funeral" includes Anthony J. Wilkinson (Anthony), Brian Murphy (Peter), Marissa Perry (Maria), Brett Douglas (Maurizio), Donna Castellano (Angela), Chad Kessler (Rabbi Howie Horowitz), Debra Toscano (Toniann), Mustafa Gatollari (Dominick), Erik Ransom (Vidal), Liz Gerecitano (Lucia), Meagan Robar (Connie, Eva, Aunt Donna), Beth Dzuricky (Ondine), Brandon Goins (Ensemble) and Marie Fontaine (Ensemble).

"My Big Gay Italian Wedding" plays every Saturday till May 18th and will re- open every Saturday at 8pm on June 22nd. "My Big Gay Italian Funeral" will have previews June 1, 2, 8, 9 and 15th and it's opening night on June 16th, 2013. Beginning on June 22nd, the Wedding will play every Saturday at 8pm and the Funeral will play every Sunday at 7pm

"My Big Gay Italian Wedding" and "My Big Gay Italian Funeral" are both on sale and scheduled to run till the end of August. Performances of both shows 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.