WVPT Announces THE WEDDING SINGER With Kraft, Coors & More 7/21-7/26 At The Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre

Executive Producer Ron Iannone is proud to announce WVPT's third straight debut with The Wedding Singer, which runs from July 21st through July 26th in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at the WVU Creative Arts Center. Based on the 1998 film of the same name starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, this Matthew Sklar musical chronicles the story of rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart: New Jersey's favorite wedding singer. He's the life of the party - until his own fiancée leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. Only trouble is Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of the decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever.

Starring as the title character is Broadway's Kevin Kraft (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) who audiences may remember as Jerry in WVPT's 2007 production of The Full Monty. Kraft's other credits include the Broadway workshop of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and numerous television appearances including on All My Children. Portraying Kraft's love interest, the endearing Julia, is Erin Elizabeth Coors who played the role on the most recent national tour. Coors other credits include the Barbie Live National tour and appearances on Guiding Light. Broadway and regional theatre veteran Virginia Seidel plays Robbie Hart's rapping grandmother, Rosie, and National tour mainstay Gregory Allan Bock (Grease, Forever Plaid) plays Robbie's friend and bandmate, Sammy.

Completing the cast are Erik Schark as Julia's fiancée, Glen Guglia. Schark was seen earlier this season in High School Musical and appeared as Gooper in 2006's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. As Robbie's Pat Benatar-esque ex-girlfriend, Linda, is a newcomer from Wright State University, Melissa Grochowski. Hunter Herdlicka, seen earlier this season as Freddy in My Fair Lady and Ryan in High School Musical, plays Robbie's other friend and band mate, the Boy George wanna-be, George. Natalie Bradshaw, who played Sharpay in High School Musical and is a veteran of the hit Jersey Boys, portrays Holly, Julia's best friend and Sammy's love interest.

The musical opened on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on April 27, 2006 and closed on December 31, 2006 after 284 performances. It was directed by John Rando, with choreography by Rob Ashford, and featured Stephen Lynch as Robbie. The production garnered five Tony Award nominations. The 1985 inspired score features musical numbers such as: "It's Your Wedding Day," "Saturday Night in the City," and "Come Out of the Dumpster."

The Wedding Singer is directed by WVPT Associate Artistic Director and Broadway veteran Michael Licata. National tour mainstay and WVPT alum Laura West-Strawser choreographs, Andew Austin is the Musical Director, and David S. Sollish is the Associate Director.

The Wedding Singer runs Tuesday, July 21st through Sunday, July 26th with performances on Tuesday thru Saturday at 8:00PM and 2:00 PM matinees on Wednesday and Sunday. The season continues with Fiddler on the Roof: July 28-August 2; and Cats: August 4-August 9.

3 Show Ticket Packages are still available along with single tickets. Discounts for students and children are also available. Special "Anniversary Day" tickets are available for $15.00 on opening nights and $20.00 RUSH tickets are available for all other performances two hours prior to curtain. Special July 4th weekend prices are also available for Little Shop of Horrors performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For tickets, call (304) 291-4122 (or toll free at 1-877-999-WVPT) or visit the WVPT box office in the WVU Creative Arts Center between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday; Saturdays 12:00PM-5:00PM; Sundays 12:00PM-4:00PM. WVPT performs at the WVU Creative Arts Center, which is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. More information can be obtained from WVPT's website: www.wvpublictheatre.com.

 

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