My Big Gay Italian Wedding
Encyclopedia
My Big Gay Italian Wedding is a play written by Anthony J. Wilkinson that includes original music and lyrics written by David Boyd. It premiered off-Broadway
in 2003 at the Actor's Playhouse in New York City. In September 2009, a revised version produced by Dina Manzo of Bravo's The Real Housewives of New Jersey
and co-starring Scott Evans
played a benefit performance at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island
; the play then opened with a new cast that included Reichen Lehmkuhl
in May 2010 at the St. Luke's Theatre
on West 46th Street for an open-ended run that will conclude in 2011 on 8/20.
as well as gay and Italian stereotypes. Anthony Pinnunziato, a gay Italian-American from a large chaotic family, wishes to marry his boyfriend Andrew Polinski in a traditional Italian ceremony. Anthony's overbearing mother won't give her blessing unless Andrew's estranged mother also gives her blessing and the ceremony is performed by a priest. Matters are further complicated by Andrew's ex-boyfriend, intent on breaking up the couple.
of Bravo's reality television series Project Runway
. The production moved to Theatre Four on West 55th Street in Manhattan where it played for 38 weeks with a new cast that included James Getzlaff
, star of the Bravo reality series Boy Meets Boy
.
On September 12, 2009, a revised and updated version of the play played a benefit performance at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island; the new production was produced by Dina Manzo of The Real Housewives of New Jersey and starred Wilkinson and Scott Evans of the ABC soap opera
One Life to Live
. It was directed by Teresa A. Cicala and included new choreography by J. Austin Eyer. The production moved to an open-ended run at the St. Luke's Theatre in Manhattan in May 2010, adding as co-star Reichen Lehmkuhl of CBS
TV's The Amazing Race. In July 2010, Daniel Robinson, veteran of Broadway Bares
, Hairspray
and the 2009 film The Big Gay Musical
joined Wilkinson on stage until November 2010.
On August 2, 2010, it was announced that Real Housewives of New Jersey cast members Teresa Giudice, Caroline Manzo, Lauren Manzo, Jacqueline Laurita and Ashley Holmes would step in as cast members for one week in September. After sold-out performances, the Housewives signed up to repeat their guest appearances on October 20 to 23rd, 2010 resulting in another successful, sold-out run.
Dr. Joy Browne
joined the cast for three performances, September 30 to October 2, 2010.
Following Robinson's departure, the role of Andrew was taken up by David Moretti, star of here! TV's The Lair
on November 18, 2010, the same day as the show's 100th performance. The show rang in its milestone performance with special guests Ilene Kristen
from One Life to Live
and Claire Buffie, the reigning 2010 Miss New York, who's platform is marriage equality. BRAVO's Tabatha Coffey
was a special guest in the show for a full weekend December 2-4th 2010. Other guests during this period included Lance Bass
and Vincent Pastore
.
In January 2011, Marty Thomas joined the cast as Andrew, replacing David Moretti. Ilene Kristen, previously a special guest in the show, also joined the cast as Aunt Toniann. This provided the set up for MBGIW's first Soap Week! For one weekend March 17–19, 2011 Ilene Kristen was joined on stage by Ellen Dolan
(As The World Turns
), Brittany Underwood
(One Life to Live
), Kristen Alderson
(One Life to Live
), and Marnie Schulenberg (As the World Turns
). The soap divas took over all the female roles in the play for the weekend.
On March 31, 2011 recording artist Kim Sozzi
(http://www.kimsozzi.com) took over duties as Aunt Toniann for Ilene Kristen. She will be occupying the role until May 28, 2011. In something new for the role, Kim as Aunt Toniann now performs the original song "Italian Booty Shake" live during the wedding reception in Act II of the play.
In May 2011, My Big Gay Italian Wedding will be celebrating one full year Off-Broadway at St. Luke's Theater.
In August 2011, My Big Gay Italian Wedding will make its European debut playing at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The production will be directed by Paul Taylor-Mills and will transfer to The White Bear in London following its Edinburgh run.
Tabatha's appearance also coincided with My Big Gay Italian Wedding's "The Higher the Hair, the Closer to God" Hair Salon contest! That is no coincidence, as she was to be one of the Official Judges for the Semi-Finals alongside Dina Manzo of The Real Housewives of New Jersey and Elvis Duran of Z100 on March 6, the day after her final performance.
The Hair Salon Contest was open to all Salon owners and employees in the greater NY area, with 100+ participating. Contestants were to create a new, innovative, modern, high, BIG, trendy hair style/theme to be used in My Big Gay Italian Wedding. Think the 1980s meets 2011! Photo and Video Submissions were accepted up until the deadline on February 27. From there, on March 6 at Rab's Country Lanes in Staten Island, New York, 30 semi-finalists were chosen to participate in a runway style, walk-off judged by Tabatha, Dina, and Elvis. The remaining twelve finalist pairs (hairdresser and model) were assigned their own date in the show for a walk-on role, to be voted on by the audience. The winning hairdresser will be awarded $5000, a full-page ad for their salon in the playbill, and their new hair style featured in My Big Gay Italian Wedding for all to see! The finals are still ongoing, with walk-on roles scheduled every Thursday/Friday and will wrap up on May 13, 2011 with a winner announced soon after.
in July, 2010. In March 2011, Marty Thomas, along with David J. Boyd, recorded an updated version of the original track "Love Conquers All" which is now featured and sung by Marty in the show during curtain call.
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
in 2003 at the Actor's Playhouse in New York City. In September 2009, a revised version produced by Dina Manzo of Bravo's The Real Housewives of New Jersey
The Real Housewives of New Jersey
The Real Housewives of New Jersey is a reality television program on the Bravo network which originally followed the lives of five women in and around several upscale communities in Northern New Jersey...
and co-starring Scott Evans
Scott Evans (actor)
Scott Evans is an American actor, best known for his role as the police officer Oliver Fish on the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live. He is the younger brother of actor Chris Evans.-Personal life:...
played a benefit performance at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
; the play then opened with a new cast that included Reichen Lehmkuhl
Reichen Lehmkuhl
Reichen Lehmkuhl, , is an American former reality show winner, model, and occasional actor...
in May 2010 at the St. Luke's Theatre
St. Luke's Theatre
St. Luke’s Theatre is a 178-seat Off-Broadway theatre at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church at 308 West 46th Street in Manhattan' Theatre District.It is among the few off Broadway theatre venues that adjoin the Broadway theatre district in New York City....
on West 46th Street for an open-ended run that will conclude in 2011 on 8/20.
Synopsis
My Big Gay Italian Wedding satirizes the controversies surrounding same-sex marriageSame-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
as well as gay and Italian stereotypes. Anthony Pinnunziato, a gay Italian-American from a large chaotic family, wishes to marry his boyfriend Andrew Polinski in a traditional Italian ceremony. Anthony's overbearing mother won't give her blessing unless Andrew's estranged mother also gives her blessing and the ceremony is performed by a priest. Matters are further complicated by Andrew's ex-boyfriend, intent on breaking up the couple.
Production history
My Big Gay Italian Wedding premiered at the Actor's Playhouse in November 2003, where it played in repertory with the musical Naked Boys Singing. It was directed by Peter Rapanaro and featured a costume design by Chris MarchChris March
Chris March is an American fashion and costume designer best known for his appearance as a contestant on season 4 of Bravo's Project Runway. He was also on the Project Runway All-Star Challenge, and was the third runner up....
of Bravo's reality television series Project Runway
Project Runway
Project Runway is an American reality television series on Lifetime Television, previously on the Bravo network, which focuses on fashion design and is hosted by model Heidi Klum. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted in time, materials and theme...
. The production moved to Theatre Four on West 55th Street in Manhattan where it played for 38 weeks with a new cast that included James Getzlaff
James Getzlaff
James Getzlaff is an American reality television participant and actor. He is best known as the "leading man" from the 2003 Bravo gay dating series Boy Meets Boy....
, star of the Bravo reality series Boy Meets Boy
Boy Meets Boy (TV series)
Boy Meets Boy is an American reality television show in which a gay man meets and chooses a mate from a group of 15 potential male suitors. The show was made more novel by the fact that the "leading man" did not know that the mix of suitors included both gay and straight men.The show premiered July...
.
On September 12, 2009, a revised and updated version of the play played a benefit performance at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island; the new production was produced by Dina Manzo of The Real Housewives of New Jersey and starred Wilkinson and Scott Evans of the ABC soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
. It was directed by Teresa A. Cicala and included new choreography by J. Austin Eyer. The production moved to an open-ended run at the St. Luke's Theatre in Manhattan in May 2010, adding as co-star Reichen Lehmkuhl of CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
TV's The Amazing Race. In July 2010, Daniel Robinson, veteran of Broadway Bares
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the theatre community’s response to the AIDS crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the theatre community, on Broadway, Off-Broadway and across the country, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States...
, Hairspray
Hairspray (musical)
Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues...
and the 2009 film The Big Gay Musical
The Big Gay Musical
The Big Gay Musical is a 2009 musical-comedy film directed by Casper Andreas and Fred M. Caruso.The film follows a brief period in the lives of two young, handsome actors starring in a gay-themed musical...
joined Wilkinson on stage until November 2010.
On August 2, 2010, it was announced that Real Housewives of New Jersey cast members Teresa Giudice, Caroline Manzo, Lauren Manzo, Jacqueline Laurita and Ashley Holmes would step in as cast members for one week in September. After sold-out performances, the Housewives signed up to repeat their guest appearances on October 20 to 23rd, 2010 resulting in another successful, sold-out run.
Dr. Joy Browne
Joy Browne
Joy Browne also named Dr. Joy, is an American radio psychologist.-Early life:Browne was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and educated at Rice University in Houston, TX.-Career:...
joined the cast for three performances, September 30 to October 2, 2010.
Following Robinson's departure, the role of Andrew was taken up by David Moretti, star of here! TV's The Lair
The Lair
The Lair is an American gay-themed vampire television series produced by here! in 2007. The first season, consisting of six episodes, wrapped production in January of that year. The first two episodes premiered on June 1, 2007. Season 2, consisting of 9 episodes debuted on September 5, 2008...
on November 18, 2010, the same day as the show's 100th performance. The show rang in its milestone performance with special guests Ilene Kristen
Ilene Kristen
Ilene Kristen is an American actress. She is known for her role as Delia Reid on Ryan's Hope and for her role as Roxy Balsom on One Life to Live .-Career:...
from One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
and Claire Buffie, the reigning 2010 Miss New York, who's platform is marriage equality. BRAVO's Tabatha Coffey
Tabatha Coffey
Tabatha Coffey is an Australian hairstylist, salon owner, and American television personality. Her participation as a contestant on the television show, Shear Genius, led to her own television show, Tabatha's Salon Takeover, which airs on the U.S...
was a special guest in the show for a full weekend December 2-4th 2010. Other guests during this period included Lance Bass
Lance Bass
James Lance Bass , best known as Lance Bass, is an American pop singer, dancer, actor, film and television producer, and author. He grew up in Mississippi and rose to fame as the bass singer for the American pop boy band 'N Sync. 'N Sync's success led Bass to work in film and television...
and Vincent Pastore
Vincent Pastore
Vincent Pastore is an Italian-American actor, often cast as a mobster and best known for the role of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on The Sopranos.-Early life:...
.
In January 2011, Marty Thomas joined the cast as Andrew, replacing David Moretti. Ilene Kristen, previously a special guest in the show, also joined the cast as Aunt Toniann. This provided the set up for MBGIW's first Soap Week! For one weekend March 17–19, 2011 Ilene Kristen was joined on stage by Ellen Dolan
Ellen Dolan
Ellen Dolan is an American actress.She has starred in television soap operas such as Guiding Light, where she played the role of Maureen Reardon Bauer from 1982 to 1986, and As the World Turns, where she played the role of Margo Montgomery Hughes from 1989 to 1993, and from 1994 to 2010.In 1992...
(As The World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
), Brittany Underwood
Brittany Underwood
Brittany Underwood is an American actress from New Jersey. She is most recognizable for her role as teenager Langston Wilde, Starr Manning's closest and most loyal friend, on the daytime soap opera One Life to Live, a role she originated in 2006.Underwood's first television role was in an episode...
(One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
), Kristen Alderson
Kristen Alderson
Kristen DeAnn Alderson is an American actress and occasional singer.-Early life:Alderson was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Richard and Kathy Alderson...
(One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
), and Marnie Schulenberg (As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
). The soap divas took over all the female roles in the play for the weekend.
On March 31, 2011 recording artist Kim Sozzi
Kim Sozzi
Kim Sozzi is an American dance-pop singer originally from Long Island, New York.-Career:Kim Sozzi's career began in 1999 when she signed a contract on Columbia Records for her first major album, Life Goes On. Her first single from the album was "Til I Cry You Out Of Me", followed by "Letting Go"...
(http://www.kimsozzi.com) took over duties as Aunt Toniann for Ilene Kristen. She will be occupying the role until May 28, 2011. In something new for the role, Kim as Aunt Toniann now performs the original song "Italian Booty Shake" live during the wedding reception in Act II of the play.
In May 2011, My Big Gay Italian Wedding will be celebrating one full year Off-Broadway at St. Luke's Theater.
In August 2011, My Big Gay Italian Wedding will make its European debut playing at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The production will be directed by Paul Taylor-Mills and will transfer to The White Bear in London following its Edinburgh run.
The Higher the Hair, the Closer to God Contest
Tabatha Coffey returned to My Big Gay Italian Wedding March 3–5, 2011 as a special guest in the show, similar to her run in December.Tabatha's appearance also coincided with My Big Gay Italian Wedding's "The Higher the Hair, the Closer to God" Hair Salon contest! That is no coincidence, as she was to be one of the Official Judges for the Semi-Finals alongside Dina Manzo of The Real Housewives of New Jersey and Elvis Duran of Z100 on March 6, the day after her final performance.
The Hair Salon Contest was open to all Salon owners and employees in the greater NY area, with 100+ participating. Contestants were to create a new, innovative, modern, high, BIG, trendy hair style/theme to be used in My Big Gay Italian Wedding. Think the 1980s meets 2011! Photo and Video Submissions were accepted up until the deadline on February 27. From there, on March 6 at Rab's Country Lanes in Staten Island, New York, 30 semi-finalists were chosen to participate in a runway style, walk-off judged by Tabatha, Dina, and Elvis. The remaining twelve finalist pairs (hairdresser and model) were assigned their own date in the show for a walk-on role, to be voted on by the audience. The winning hairdresser will be awarded $5000, a full-page ad for their salon in the playbill, and their new hair style featured in My Big Gay Italian Wedding for all to see! The finals are still ongoing, with walk-on roles scheduled every Thursday/Friday and will wrap up on May 13, 2011 with a winner announced soon after.
Cast
The current cast includes:- Marty Thomas – Andrew
- Anthony J. Wilkinson – Anthony
- Brett Douglas – Maurizio
- Ellen Dolan – Angela
- Joe Scanio – Joseph
- Marissa Rosen – Maria
- Kim Sozzi – Aunt Toniann
- Adam Shorsten – Gregorio
- Liz Gerecitano – Lucia
- Meagan Robar – Connie
- Adam Zelasko – Mario
- Billy Yoder – Frankie
- Erik Ransom – Rodney
- Chad Kessler – Father Rosalia
- Joey Murray – Ensemble
- Leah Gerstel – Ensemble
Cast recording
A recording featuring Boyd's original songs was made available on iTunesITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
in July, 2010. In March 2011, Marty Thomas, along with David J. Boyd, recorded an updated version of the original track "Love Conquers All" which is now featured and sung by Marty in the show during curtain call.