I directed it a few years back, and it is a very PG-13 show. The thing that saves it is that it has a good heart, and if you've got a likable Robbie, your show will be a success. If you can put together a wedding band that can actually play their instruments, or a Robbie who could play his own guitar, that would add a whole new level to the show. I ended up using pre-recorded tracks for the show, and my guys worked with them to make the instrumental stuff sync up perfectly. No one could tell that Robbie wasn't playing his own guitar during "Somebody Kill Me" (which is a highlight of the show, but one of those things you're going to have to get permission to change to keep it family friendly).
George can be tricky, depending on your community. He's a great character, but with the wrong actor, he could become a pretty offensive punchline/cliche. My administration is absolutely supportive with LBGTQ content/characters in a show, as long as they are treated as characters, and not the butt of the joke.
Linda's "Let Me Come Home" can also be tricky, depending on how far you want to take it (and with elementary and middle school kids in the audience, I'd say not too far). It is a seduction number after all
The only thing I was asked to change was the scene in Act II where Robbie comes stumbling home drunk with a bottle in his hand. I was asked to get rid of the bottle. Drunk is fine, but actually seeing a student (even one playing an adult) drinking on stage is a line I'm not allowed to cross.
It is a really fun show to do. Just be prepared to have to explain a lot of references to you cast. I grew up in the 80's, so I get all the jokes, and their parents are going to love it, but this is ancient history for your students. Feel free to hit me up via e-mail if you want more details.
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Robert Ellis
North Richmond VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2015 07:35
From: Lee Daugherty
Subject: The Wedding Singer
Hi - I'm considering doing The Wedding Singer as our high school musical next year. Anyone have good/negative experiences with it that they'd like to share? Our school is fairly conservative (and much of our audience is middle/elementary aged kids), so I would have to get permission from MTI to cut/change some of the more "PG-13" moments, but overall, I get the impression it's a fun show to do.
If you have done it, is it possible to fake Robbie's guitar playing if there's a live rock band onstage, too?
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Lee Daugherty
Mt. Vernon High School
Alexandria VA
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