By Zaya McFarland
Featuring a live orchestra, never-before-used projection techniques, and an exceptionally talented cast and crew, the Atkins HS Theatre Department brought countless laughs and a standing ovation with its production of The Wedding Singer.
Notably, the production involved the collaboration of the entire Fine Arts department, including not only the actors, but musicians for the live music, dancers from Leslie Nagle’s dance class, and singers from the Chorus program, and the production was co-taught by Theater Director Daniel Becker and Music Director Valerie Mayhew. The dances in the play were choreographed by both Mayhew and Nagle.
The play was undeniably among the most intensive of Atkins spring productions, with its carefully choreographed musical numbers and intricate set pieces created by the theatre department’s designers. Whether through the inclusion of a fully detailed facade of a DMC DeLorean or a dumpster with a complimentary kicked-in garbage bin, the production never failed to immerse the audience in the mid-eighties.
Much like the previous spring production of the Atkins Theatre Department, Little Shop of Horrors, the play’s songs were heightened by the presence of a group of skilled musicians who effortlessly switched from wistful and romantic to the powerful riffs of eighties glam-rock. But the music would not be complete without the incredible voices of the production’s cast, who unanimously demonstrated a mastery of their lyrics and lines. Each and every cast member elevated the production with their involvement, whether it be Robbie’s bandmates in Simply Wed or the performers who slipped into multiple roles including wedding attendees and celebrity impersonators.
The main plot of The Wedding Singer centers around the character Julia Sullivan, played by student Jay Singleton, who performed stunning and heartfelt renditions of songs such as “Someday” and “If I Told You.” Plot twists revolve around her decision of whether or not to marry Glen Guglia (played by Darian Pisapia), despite her evolving feelings for Robbie Hart, starring Dashiell Mattox-Vuchnich. Meanwhile, earlier in the play Robbie has been dumped by his fiance Linda, played brilliantly by Hanna Shimabukuro.
The production’s success is a testament not only to the cast and crew, but also to the collaborative efforts of the Atkins staff members and the hard work of numerous students involved.