Shaler Area High School students set to livestream 'The Wedding Singer'

Big hair, neon clothes and cheesy ’80s songs will converge on stage during Shaler Area High School’s spring production of “The Wedding Singer.”

“The show is just a lot of fun, and we could all use that nowadays,” Director Anthony Martello said.

Based on the 1998 film starring Adam Sandler, the musical premiered on Broadway in 2006 and was nominated for a Tony Award that same year.

The show will be presented in four livestreams at 7 p.m. April 15-17, and also during a 2 p.m. matinee on April 17.

Tickets cost $13 for an individual and $30 for a family. They can be purchased online at showtix4u.com/events/SApresents.

More than 60 students are participating in this year’s musical, either on stage or behind the scenes in the crew and pit.

Martello is relishing his new role as head of the high school’s theater program, saying he chose “The Wedding Singer” because of its ability to showcase the immense talent at the district.

Martello has a background in dance and stage productions as both a performer and teacher. He comes to the district after having directed and choreographed shows at Woodland Hills Junior High School for the past four years.

“Coming into auditions as a new director, I didn’t know what to expect,” Martello said. “These students have surprised me at every turn.”

The audience, he said, can expect to have a lot of fun with “an explosion of ’80s colors, ’80s hair, and ’80s references.”

Other members of the directorial team include Assistant Director Jennifer Birch, Choreographers Carly Otte and Emily Martello, and Technical Director Zachary Anderson.

In addition, the directorial staff includes Shaler teachers Damian Landolina, set construction, construction; and Anne Loudon, stage crew.

Producing a show during the covid-19 pandemic presented its share of challenges but Martello said his team has tackled them head-on.

“You will see masks on stage, and you will see slightly more spaced blocking than normal,” he said.

“But these students have responded with enthusiasm and preparedness. I can’t say enough about how much they’re doing to make sure this ship stays afloat.”

The most significant challenge for the cast and crew was an uncertainty of how the pandemic would affect rehearsals.

“We could’ve been shut down by the district for too many positive cases or we could be left without a student at rehearsal due to contact tracing,” Martello said.

The team has forged ahead and is ready to take the stage to celebrate their months of hard work.

The story follows singer Robbie Hart, (played by senior Sonny DeMasi), a one-time charismatic wedding singer who is left cynical about love after being dumped by his fiancée (played by senior Alaina Donovan).

A waitress named Julia, (played by senior Zoe Babbit), changes his tune — but the connection is tangled by her engagement to Glen, (played by sophomore Alex Eastly).

Other lead roles include seniors Brindle Walzer as Julia’s sister, Abby Sawa as Julia’s cousin, senior Jonathan Zang and freshman Joshua Clark as Robbie’s friends, and senior Molly Yuretich as Robbie’s grandmother.

DeMasi said despite the pandemic challenges, the show has been a highlight of the school year.

“Theater gives me a chance to leave my comfort zone and push myself in new ways,” DeMasi said. “I have had the chance to meet so many talented and fun people who genuinely make my day better, and that’s why I keep coming back.”