Theatre Reviews
By Christine Borman

Tony n' Tina's Wedding

Tony n' Tina's Wedding is a wildly funny interactive show that invites you to be the guest at an anything-but-traditional wedding. You'll dance, you'll eat and drink, you'll mingle with other guests. Mostly, you'll laugh yourself silly with two of the craziest Italian families this side of Italy.

Tony n' Tina's Wedding satires an Italian-American wedding in which the audience participates in all aspects of the fictitious event. You and your guests will attend the ceremony, go through the receiving line, participate in the champagne toast, dine from the Italian buffet, dance to live music, feast on wedding cake and enjoy the spontaneity of improvised theatre.

From the moment you arrive, you are made to feel as though you are friends or family sharing this special day with Tony and Tina. As we entered the church, we were greeted with a big hug from Tina's mother. We were then taken to our seats by a member of the wedding party. The usher was talking to us as if he had known us for years. When he introduced us to the wedding party, he explained that we knew Tina from the old neighborhood. At that point, I knew I was in for a treat.

The wedding becomes chaotic from the beginning when the cousin of the bride, who is a nun, leads the audience in a congregational hymn. Before too long, Tina's ex-boyfriend walks in and you think here comes trouble. Perhaps the highlight of the wedding was during the wedding vows when Tony's father interrupts and says "Who loves you Tony" and Tony shouts back, "You do Dad."

The wedding is relatively calm compared to the reception. The reception is a wild time to be had by all. Held at Vinnie Black's Coliseum, the action happens all around you. Various cast members come around to your table sharing toasts and gossip. Others take your hand and lead you onto the dance floor. The band plays everyone's favorite wedding songs, and even gets the audience to form a conga line. By the end of the night, most of the wedding party is drunk, including the Priest! The sleazy girlfriend of Tony's father shows Tony and the audience an eye full and the bride and groom end up in a drag out fight.

This is a great show to attend with a group of friends and family. The more you play along with the actors, the more fun you'll have. By the time you leave, you'll think you're part of the family.

Theatre: Wedding ceremony - St. Luke's Church, 308 West 46th Street. Reception - Vinnie Black's Coliseum at the Edison Hotel, 221 West 46th Street.