Playwright: music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Tim Herlihy and Chad Beguilin. At: Haven Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: 773-975-8150; www.theaterwit.org; $20-$42 . Runs through: Nov. 17
Some stories resonate in every culture the world over, one being the journey of overgrown boys to maturity, reflected in their decision to embrace the responsibilities of marriage and family. ( The corresponding milestone for women is usually the opposite, with giddy girls rejecting domesticity for loftier goals, but that's a topic for another day. ) That said, is it any surprise that The Wedding Singer has enjoyed successful tours in Spain, Japan, Australia, Germany and virtually every country where young people, and not their parents, choose whom they marry?
Wedding Warbler Robbie ( note the childish diminutive ) is a former rock 'n' roll musician whose bandhoggish Sammy and fey Georgenow earns its living by playing wedding receptions for Touch of Class caterers. Rejected by his skankish girl friend, he undergoes meltdown on the job, only to fall for co-worker Julia. Alas, Julia is engaged to a would-be capitalist pig, but faint heart ne'er won you-know-what, and after many complicationsincluding an airline chase to Las Vegas, where our hero enlists the aid of several celebrity impersonatorsRob and Julia confess their true feelings and are joined in matrimony.
For conveying romance's cuddlier side, you can't find a better-fitting artistic form than musical comedy, especially one featuring Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin's score of mellow 80s-tinged ditties ( with passing salutes to the influence of heavy-metal and Madonna ), their energy boosted by a live backstage band that keeps on choogling right up to the last smooch. James Beaudry's choreography swaddles full-cast production numbers into a snug studio stage, and opening-night fashion historians were heard swooning over the authentic period wardrobe ( contributed by the original owners, also in attendance ).
Tony Allan and Aja Wiltshire ( an alumna of Griffin's Spring Awakening ) are an immediately charming pair of reluctant sweethearts, flanked by Sarah Bockel, Daniel Martinez and Alex Heika as their cynical sidekicks, while Jacob Grubb makes a suitably slimy Mister Wrong and Judy Lea Steele steals the show as Rob's rapping granny. The catalyzing factor, however, is an ensemble that sprints through lightning costume changes to portray everything from breakdancing corporate executives to Cindy Lauper and Nancy Reagan lookalikes.
Having demonstrated its harder edge with its recent production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Haven Theatre now proves itself equally adept at delivering wholesome marital-friendly date night entertainment."