Party like it’s 1985!

Tickets on sale for On Stage’s The Wedding Singer 

Left to right- Actors Brett Terrell & Rowan Reid. Photo by Kelley Channell Studio.  

On Stage Playhouse will take audience members back in time during their upcoming musical, The Wedding Singer-The Musical Comedy, directed by On Stage Artistic Director Marc Hammes and Keisha Jones with Music Director Mandy Stertzbach and Choreographer Savannah Carter.

“It’s 1985, and rock star wannabe, Robbie Hart, is 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,” says Hammes, adding, “Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. Unless Robbie pulls off the performance of a decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever!” 

Paige Hood will be playing the role of “Grandma Rosie.” “This is my eighth show with On Stage,” Hood explained. “Playing ‘Grandma Rosie’ has been especially fun because she’s fearless, wide-open and has absolutely no shame, which gives me permission to go all in with every performance. We’re having so much fun telling this story, and I hope the audience feels that joy and energy when they come to see the show.” 

Dee Bailey is an On Stage board member and will be part of the ensemble as well as “Tina Turner Impersonator.” Bailey has been with On Stage for four years. “I have acted in six shows so far, including the role of ‘Hoke Coleburn’ in Driving Miss Daisy in 2023, the role I’m most proud of,” Bailey expressed. Bailey believes the audience will appreciate the fact that The Wedding Singer is “totally relatable and comical for people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. It’s acting, singing and dancing about family, friendship and love. What’s not to enjoy?” 

Willow Smith will be playing the role of “Linda” in her fourth production with On Stage. “It’s been about six years since the last (show),” Smith detailed, adding, “I moved back home recently after getting my bachelor’s degree, and I figured it would be fun and I would be able to make new friends.” Smith explained that her character is unlike any she’s portrayed before, but she has enjoyed seeing the show come together. “It’s a snapshot of the 80s! (The show) is lighthearted with a little bit of edge,” Smith expressed. 

Joel Barker will be performing in his second show with On Stage as he will be portraying “Ricky” and will also be part of the ensemble. “I decided to audition after a bit of internal back-and-forth on whether or not I was ready to return to the stage,” Barker explained, adding, “I changed my mind maybe three times before I finally decided to audition. I’m very glad I did that.” Barker’s favorite things about community theatre are using his skills and meeting new people. “It’s nice to be able to work with people who share the same passions as you,” he conveyed. 

Sean Callahan has been a part of two On Stage productions since 1987 and commented, “The joy on stage is going to be contagious. The audience will really enjoy the fun, nostalgic feel of the show – the music, the humor, and the energy all make it a great escape.” Callahan has most enjoyed the music and being in a “supportive and encouraging environment” and “being a part of something that brings the community together.” Callahan will be playing the roles of “Arnold” and “Billy Idol Impersonator.” He is also the understudy for “Robbie” and is in the ensemble. 

On Stage newcomer Mistie McElhaney will be part of the ensemble as well as “Donatella McDonnough” during the production. McElhaney decided to get into community theatre after her daughter was involved with On Stage and to be more active in her community. “I love connecting with my fellow locals,” she expressed. Along those lines, her favorite thing about The Wedding Singer has been making new friends. McElhaney describes the show as “an irreverent romp” and believes the audience will enjoy “the nostalgic escape into the sweeping story of heartbreak and young love in the age of big hair and even bigger personalities.”

Another newcomer, Kiley Hendricks, will be performing in the ensemble. “At my school, I wanted to be a part of the drama class, but I was unable to join. So, I decided to audition for The Wedding Singer as an alternative. I’ve been planning to join (On Stage) for a while,” she mentioned. Hendricks thinks the comedy will be what the audience enjoys most, adding, “I really think that some of the older crowd members will like the 80s theme.” Tickets are now on sale online and at Carmichael’s Drug Store. Performances will be held at 8 pm on February 20, February 21, February 27, February 28, March 6 and March 7; at 2 pm on March 1 and March 8; and at 7:30 pm on March 3. Tickets are $20 except for the March 3 showing, which is On Stage’s “$10 Tuesday” where tickets are half price. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit https://www.onstagewalton.org/the-wedding-singer. Carmichael’s Drug Store is located at 150 MLK Jr Blvd in Monroe. On Stage Playhouse is located at 215 High School Ave in Monroe. The Wedding Singer-The Musical Comedy is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.