Stony Point Players to present ‘The Wedding Singer’ July 1-3

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The Stony Point Players are hoping to grace the stage at the North Grand Auditorium this summer, with some 1980s nuptial nostalgia.

Pending approval by the publishing company, the Charles City Community Theatre group will be presenting the musical comedy, “The Wedding Singer” on July 1-3. Shows will be at 7 p.m. on the evenings of July 1-2, with a 2 p.m. matinee planned for July 3.

“Our organization was cautious as it made the decision as to whether or not we would have a 2021 production,” said Stony Point Players President Michelle Grob, who will direct the show with Derek Sturtevant.

“We love bringing live theater to Charles City, but our top priority is to keep everyone safe,” she said.

Grob said that after watching state guidelines and listening to suggestions of local health agencies, the organization decided that a show would be possible.

“During the first month of practices, we will continue to require masks,” Grob said. “After that, we will remain fluid as to what is best for our cast.”

Auditions for the show will take place on Monday, April 19, and Wednesday, April 21, from 3:30-5 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. in the choir room at Charles City High School. Masks will be required for auditions and there will be social distancing.

Grob said the cast will consist of adults, high school students, and actors in 7th and 8th grades. She said there are several good lead roles and the need for a large ensemble of a variety of ages.

“The Wedding Singer” is a musical comedy with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. It is based on the 1998 film of the same name, which starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

The musical revolves around the character Robbie Hart, who sings at weddings, his failed relationships, and his romance with a new love, Julia.

The show is known for its frequent nods to 1980s pop culture and style, with songs written and performed in the pop and rock style prevalent during that decade.

The musical premiered on Broadway in 2006 and had several tours starting in 2007. It was nominated for the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical. It subsequently has had many international productions and has become a popular high school and community theater production.

Stony Point was set to perform the musical “Beauty and the Beast” last summer, but the show had to be cancelled due to complications caused by the COVID-19 epidemic. The Charles City theater group was founded in the 1960s but had been temporarily dormant until three years ago, when the Players returned to the stage with a production of “The Wizard of Oz,” directed by Grob and Sturtevant.

Two summers ago, Sturtevant and Janiece Bergland directed Stony Point’s production of “Spamalot.”