Selena Hernandez

The Wedding Singer at DVC Play Review

How does the set actually create or define the performance space?
The set had a lot of very large and angular set pieces that could be moved pretty easily. The one
set piece that mostly stayed constant was the small restaurant stage, which the main character
spent several scenes singing for different weddings. The ability to move set pieces on and off so
easily created a kind of carefree atmosphere.
Does the set suggest a location or various locations and how does it do that?
The set suggests many locations, most notably Robbies bedroom, the local restaurant, and
miscellaneous rooms and buildings. There were two tall set pieces that several characters could
stand on when put on the ends of the stage. With a few props and the right lighting it could be
any room they imagined.
Does the set suggest a time period and how does it achieve that?
The play is very obviously set in the 80s. The clothing was tacky with a lot of colors and ruffles
in the wrong places, the references to new technology in the play made the audience chuckle,
and the lingo and references to pop icons in the 80s created a very believable scene.
Does the set create a world for the characters to live in?
Yes. From making the set pieces more in the center or setting a spotlight on two or three
characters, the scene seemed to be just large enough for those characters. Each scene is a
different world for the characters, whether its two characters slowly falling in love or a
happening wedding shindig that will blow the roof off the place.
Is this world set in a literal or naturalistic set or does the set use symbols to suggest the
world of the play?
The set is very literal. It doesnt need to have any symbols, it is what it is: a whacky 80s play
about two people falling in love. That being said, the set is very true to that. There are 80s band
posters on Robbies wall and the when the two protagonists were singing by a dumpster it really
reflected how Robbie was down in the dumps. He was literally in a dumpster.
What is the genre of the production?
While the musical had dramatic elements, at its core it was a comedy, specifically a romantic
one.
What is the content of the play is it about love, war, hate, etc?
The play is about love. Robbie and Julia spend the play struggling with their feelings for one
another. Robbie thinks it will never be because Julia is taken, and Julia doesnt want to admit that
she has developed feelings for Robbie while engaged to another man.

How is the play written?

The play is written in a way that pokes fun at the 80s, while still keeping true with concepts that
we can relate to today.
What is the production trying to get from the audience? Is it trying to make them think,
feel, laugh, or cry?
I feel as if the productions purpose was to make us laugh, but also for us to smile and think
about our loved ones. When Robbie and Julia finally get together, the song about wanting to
grow old together can make anyone a bit misty-eyed.
Does the lighting of the production fit into any of these categories: focus on one area to
create a specific meaning, indication of different locations by cross-fading, defining time or
changes in time through fades of color and intensity of light, and create sinister moods and
atmospheres with certain angles. Illustrate at least four lighting examples from the
production.
When characters were on the raised on the platforms at the side, there was a spotlight on them to
indicate that thats where our eyes need to be for that scene.
During the dumpster scene, the stage had a blue tint, because at the time Robbie felt blue.
There were scenes off to the very side of the stage to allow room for a scene change, or another
scene had just been happening on stage. When these characters had their scene they had a
spotlight.
When Robbie went to Julias house to tell her he loved her, one spotlight was on Julia and one
was on Bobbie. This indicated that they were not together, but Robbie could still see her smiling
in the window.
Write down different uses of sound in the play, which choices were effective and why? Did
it create mood and atmosphere (such as a busy street or a country)? Did it underscore the
action and create the mood? Did it emotionally heighten the intensity of the scene by using
an evocative melody or song? Try to think of at least three examples.
The dumpster song did well at being funny but also making us feel bad for Robbie. He refuses to
get out of the dumpster because he feels so depressed about being left at the altar.
The money song showed how much of a sleaze Julias fiance really was, and how he was
training Robbie to be the same way.
The song about growing old together was cheesily adorable, which really is a theme throughout
the play.
What were the props and costumes like? Did characters have key props? Did the props
suggest or support the themes being explored? Did they have symbolic value? Did they
have a value greater than what they literally were?

Characters had key props, but none had a symbolic meaning. Robbie normally had his guitar, and
the wacky hair of the Vegas impersonators was a true indicator of how wacky those characters
were.
Regarding the directors interpretation, was there a ruling idea or theme that comes out of
the production? What do you think the director was trying to say through the production?
What was your overall response to it? Were there any significant moments or scenes? Did
you recognize any influences from areas of theater that you have already studied? How
would you describe what the production was trying to do? What alternative choices could
the director could have made? This could include elements of sound and lighting.
I think the director took the script and did everything that most directors do when the show has
been put on in the past. There was nothing monumental that was different than any other
production of the Wedding Singer. That being said, it was still very good. I loved the love story
between the two characters, and there were a lot of times I chuckled in the audience. My mother
even laughed once at a joke so loudly that all my friends turned to me with quizzical looks. The
way it made fun of the 80s while still glorifying it reminded me of Hairspray. I loved the
dumpster scene and pretty much any love song between the two protagonists. The director did a
very good job. Something he/she could have done differently is to have had a red or green tinge
on stage during the money song, and maybe one or two sound effects outside the songs
themselves.
Focus on two characters and explore HOW they are exploring their characters. Address
what the actor was doing and whether it was effective for the audience.
The actor that played Robbie at first seemed very young to me. I realized later on that it
highlighted how much of a child Robbie still was on the inside. His voice had a laidback tone to
it, while still being dreamy when he talked about love. His face almost contorted when he was
upset, and I was surprised that he could still sing while pretending to cry. At first I was unsure
about Robbies character, but by the end after watching his journey I was rooting for him to get
the girl.
I knew that actor that played Julia personally, and because of that I think I was more critical of
her, unnecessarily so. I remember throughout the production I wanted to scream at her to cheat
out, because I could almost never see her face. I know I may not be one to talk about that, I
always struggle with cheating out, but I cant really comment on her facial expressions because I
hardly ever saw them. When I did see them they were believable and portrayed how innocent
Julia could be at times about love.