Fall in love with the '80s all over again
CADEN BUTERA/Courtesy Trenton Klinkefus in “The Wedding Singer” at the Lake City Playhouse. Show runs on select dates today through July 22 at the playhouse, 1320 E. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Tickets and info: lakecityplayhouse.org.
Truman Harris in the Lake City Playhouse production of "The Wedding Singer." (CADEN BUTERA/Courtesy)
CADEN BUTERA/Courtesy Marta Myers, left, and Halle Schmitt in “The Wedding Singer” at Lake City Playhouse.
COEUR d’ALENE — The 1980s will return in the most romantic way when “The Wedding Singer” opens tonight at Lake City Playhouse.
“I grew up in the ’80s and it's super fun to relive my childhood with the fun references,” said music director Heather Brown. “While some of the music is a bit different from the movie, the composer really stuck to the ’80s feel and the music is fantastic.”
Based on the 1998 film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, “The Wedding Singer” takes audiences back to 1985 when cynical wedding singer Robbie Hart (played by Trenton Klinkefus) falls for a sweet yet already engaged waitress named Julia Sullivan (played by Marta Myers) who turns out to be his true love.
“As this story revolves around Robbie and essentially his search for self-acceptance and love, Julia comes in as this beacon of enthusiasm and helps Robbie keep his priorities straight throughout his journey,” Myers said. “She's a ray of sunshine with a heart of gold and really keeps the positivity of the story alive.”
Jessica Peterson, who plays Robbie's Grandma Rosie, said this production of “The Wedding Singer” is one of the most fun shows she has ever worked on.
“Highlights have been the cast,” she said. “They are all so talented and amazing in their own way. The challenge has been working with such a high caliber cast on a smaller stage. I think the cast is adapting well and the smaller stage makes for a really immersive experience.”
Accompanying the tubular tunes in this musical will be some rockin' dance moves, choreographed by Mikala Lindgren.
“The people we have in our cast make every rehearsal a party,” she said. “I actually have choreographed this production previously. The fun-loving theme and amazing music always draws me back. My goal in my choreography is to bring back as many dance moves that were popular in the ’80s to allow people to feel like they have traveled through time when they watch our show.”
“The Wedding Singer” opens this evening at 7:30 p.m. and runs through July 22.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, students and military.
For tickets and complete show times, call 208-676-7529 or visit www.lakecityplayhouse.org.