The cast of the North Brunswick Young Adult Drama Group rehearses “The Wedding Singer,” which will be performed through Sunday at the township high school. PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER ZYCH NORTH BRUNSWICK — The Young Adult Drama Group will present the musical “The Wedding Singer” this week.
The production is based on the movie of the same name that starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Set in 1985, Robbie Hart is a wannabe rock star making ends meet as a wedding singer in New Jersey. After his fiancée leaves him at the altar, he meets Julia Sullivan.
The 32-member cast and crew — all between the ages of 13 and 22 — started rehearsing for the show on June 30.
Joey Braccino, alum of the Young Adult Drama Group, will debut as the show’s director, taking over for longtime director Joel Chesler, who announced that 2013 would be his last year as director.
Liam McGeary, 18, who graduated from North Brunswick Township High School (NBTHS) and will be a freshman at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, said he worked with the Young Adult Drama Group in the pit orchestra for two years.
This is the first time he auditioned for a part in a musical.
“I like … ‘The Wedding Singer’ and wanted the Robbie role,” he said.
Samantha Sharpe, who plays Julia Sullivan, and Frankie Marrone, who portrays George, said they are excited about presenting the high-energy show.
“We are physically ready, as well,” said Marrone, a 15-year-old NBTHS sophomore. “This is my first show [with the troupe]. I heard a lot about it from my friends who have done shows, and I thought I would try it out.”
Marrone said he was excited to get the role of George.0
“I wasn’t sure at first if I could pull it off,” he said.
Sharpe, a South Brunswick High School graduate, is participating in her third show with the troupe.
“I love this group where I have made so many friends,” she said.
Chris Curcio of Edison is in his first year as musical director. He said he was friends with the previous musical director and was asked if he would be interested in joining this year.
“The group is fantastic,” he said, adding that he had heard about the “The Wedding Singer” but never worked on it. He said he was hooked after hearing the theme song.
“The Wedding Singer” will be performed at 8 p.m. Aug 7-9 at North Brunswick Township High School, Raider Road. Tickets cost $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and students.