The Wedding Singer: From film to stage

MANILA, Philippines - On Feb. 13, 1998, the New Line Cinema movie The Wedding Singer starring Adam Sandler as a 1985 rock-star wannabe, whose day-job is singing in New Jersey weddings, and Drew Barrymore as the waitress who became the object of his love and affection was released.

The romantic-comedy film reportedly had a modest budget of $21-M but to the surprise of many, it went on to register a whopping $123-M in ticket sales. When it opened in the US, it ranked second with $18-M in ticket sales, a notch below Titanic.

To capitalize on the box-office hit of the movie written by Tim Herlihy and directed by Frank Coraci, two soundtrack albums were also minted in 1998. While the cast members performed the movie’s song numbers, the two albums had the original artists and versions of the songs.

Some of the more famous songs from the The Wedding Singer and The Wedding Singer Vol. 2 were: Do You Really Want to Hurt Me by Boy George; White Wedding (Billy Idol); China Girl (David Bowie); Somebody Kill Me (Adam Sandler); True by Spandau Ballet; Just Can’t Get Enough (Depeche Mode); Love Stinks (The J. Geils Band); You Make My Dreams (Hall and Oates); Holiday (Madonna); and Grow Old With You (Sandler).

The following songs were featured in the movie but not in the two albums: 99 Luftballons (Nena); Till There Was You (Ellen Dow); Boys Don’t Cry (The Cure); All Night Long (All Night) (Lionel Richie); That’s All (Sandler); Miami Vice Theme (Jan Hammer); Hungry Heart (Bruce Springsteen); and Wake Me up Before You Go-Go (Wham).

As a testament to the audience attraction with The Wedding Singer, it was mounted on Broadway in the early months of 2006 until Dec. 31 of the same year, with music written by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy.

In a press conference, executive producer Santi Santamaria and director Robbie Guevara said The Wedding Singer crystallized the setting up of their new theater company called 9 Works Theatrical.

“The music struck me. It was great, there was romance,” said Santamaria.

“Santi (Santamaria) brought up the topic that why it is The Wedding Singer is not being staged locally. He said it is such a good show,” Guevara added.

Guevara said he had to initially ward off Santamaria’s enthusiasm to mount the show in the Philippines. “I told him that marketing theater is the more difficult part. Then he started throwing in ideas.”

As early as 2008, Guevara said he started working to secure the rights to locally produce The Wedding Singer, which had to be staged in Britain after it folded up in Broadway.

“When the rights to The Wedding Singer became finally available in 2010, it was a dream come true,” Guevara said.

Santamaria announced the line-up of cast: Gian Magdangal plays Sandler’s role as hopeless romantic wedding singer Robbie Hart; Iya Villania as waitress Julia Sullivan, with stage actress Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as her alternate; Nikki Valdez as Julia’s cousin, with former Miss Saigon-UK tour talent Analin Bantug as alternate; and Jeremy Aguado as Julia’s fiancé Glen Guglia.

Other leading members of the cast are Lorenz Martinez (Sammy), Johann dela Fuente (George), Myrene Santos (Linda) and Enchang Kaimo (Rosie).

Completing the roster of the acting, singing and dancing talents of the production are Arnold Trinidad, Bym Buhain, Chinie Nepomuceno, Francis Matheu, Harold Cruz, Ikey Canoy, James Stacey, Jenny Villegas, Jonjon Martin, Luau Sablan, Mark Tayag, Mian Dimacali, Miguel Vasquez, Nikki Guevara, Peachy Atilano, Sab Jose, Shelyn Tayanes and Sylveth Ong-iko.

Santamaria said the production team has Rodel Colmenar as musical director and conducting the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, choreographer Francis Matheu, musical director for vocals Only Torres, scenographer Mio Infante, lighting designer Martin Esteva, sound designer Chuck Ledesma, costume stylist Rosanna Aranaz, production manager Sunshine Domine, technical director Paul Domine, marketing manager Shelyn Tayanes, stage manager Lambert de Jesus and company manager Anna Santamaria.

Directed by Guevara, The Wedding Singer is mounted locally with special arrangements with Music Theater International of 421 W54th Street, New York, with playmates Oct. 23, 24, 29, 30, 31, Nov. 5, 6, 7, 13, and 14. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, show begins at 8 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m. For details, visit www.9workstheatrical.com or call 891-9999.

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