Dominican Students Recreate 'The Wedding Singer'

If you enjoyed The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler, you'll want to head to Dominican High School next weekend to check out the musical version of the 1980s-themed comedy.

Dominican's theater director Jeff Schaetzke said the musical production features high-energy songs, power ballads, a rapping grandma and tributes to many of the styles of the '80s. The production will be showcased Feb. 24-26 and March 1-4.

"It's really a love letter to the 1980s," he said. "It really does a good job of capturing a lot of the '80s songs."

Sandler's character Robbie Hart, a local wedding singer, and his '80s rock band are big in the New Jersey wedding reception scene. When Robbie gets left at the altar, he shares his jaded thoughts on love every way he can at local receptions until he befriends a local waitress, Julia, to share his stories with.

In case you were curious, the high school version of the movie-turned-musical is rated PG, and there is no inappropriate language or subject matter.

Drew Barrymore's character, Julia, will be played by senior Ann Spella and junior Fiona Dolan. Sandler's character, Robby, will be played by senior Michael Linn, who has the singing, guitar-playing and comedic abilities to do the role justice.

"He's a really good fit for this role," Schaetzke said.

The Dominican cast and crew has been working on the production for the past two months, and Schaetzke said it has been fun and exciting to see the songs from his high school days come to life again nearly 30 years later.

"Each song has very much of a theme and a style from the '80s," he said. "The songs have very high energy, the dancing is very good and the kids love it."

All performances will take place in the Dominican High School auditorium at 120 E. Silver Spring Drive. Performance dates and times are as follows:

• Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
• Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
• Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.
• March 1 at 7 p.m.
• March 2 at 7:30 p.m.
• March 3 at 7:30 p.m.
• March 4 at 2 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or at this website.