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If audience members are to be believed, this year’s production of The Wedding Singer might just be the society’s greatest show to date.
Seventeen years ago, UCD Musical Society kicked off their new society with a production of The Wedding Singer. After last night’s performance, it could be believed that the society has spent the time since 2009 taking this show to perfection, as a strong Astra Hall crowd laughed, cheered and tapped their feet from start to finish. If audience members are to be believed, this year’s production of The Wedding Singer might just be the society’s greatest show to date.
Directed by Julie Bowell and Niamh O’Brien, the show was filled with energetic dance breaks, phenomenal vocals and 80’s flair. A strong student band led by Dario Regazzi kept the energy in Astra Hall high from beginning to end, while a dynamic set, colourful costumes and a UCD Musical Society debut from pyrotechnics ensured the audience forgot they were sat inside UCD Student Centre, and were transported all the way to New Jersey, or at the very least a West End theatre.
Fionn McGrath led the cast with a comedic yet emotional portrayal of Robbie Hart, the leader of New Jersey’s top wedding band. McGrath plays the lovable leading man brilliantly, drawing the right amount of laughter and pity from the audience at all the right times. Accompanied by the smooth-talking, slick-dancing Ben Schachne and the hilarious and operatic Connor Kirwan as the rest of the band, the trio brought energy, fun and genuine talent to their raised platform on stage. Their opening number kicks the show off with an incredible energy, giving the audience a glimpse of what they're in for early on.
The show follows McGrath’s Hart enter a complicated yet touching love story with Julia Sullivan, perfectly portrayed by Áine Kinch, whose vocals and acting are standout throughout. The pair meet early on in the show, and we watch them slowly catch each other’s eyes as Hart helps Sullivan prepare for her wedding to the money hungry “putz” Glen. Joseph Gibney plays this antagonist excellently with wit, charisma and the right amount of evil - with ‘All About The Green’ proving a worthy opener to Act 2.
Beyond acrobatic dance moves, big vocals and a dynamic character to play, Doireann McAuley was met with an additional challenge last night: waiting until the audience had finished laughing to deliver her next line. McAuley’s portrayal of the intense and hilarious Linda had the audience cackling in their seats, watching a perfect performance of one of the show's funniest yet most impressive scenes during ‘Let Me Come Home’.
Irina Agotha plays Robbie’s lovable grandmother with a caring touch and hysterical sexual innuendo, having multiple standout moments in the show. Society secretary Lia Mullan presents as a loving mother to Kinch’s Julia, a role she plays to perfection - matched only by her long-awaited return to a Dolly Parton role at the end of the show.
The show has incredible vocals organised by Brianna Kelly, electric choreography by O’Brien and wonderful acting performances from the start, but if there was one moment that shows you what UCD Musical Society is all about this year, it’s the Act 1 finale, ‘Saturday Night in the City’, led by Yvette McDonnell. McDonnell plays the side-splitting side kick of Julia flawlessly, leaving the audience in stitches with her comedic timing, and in awe with her talent. The song is aided by an exhilarating ensemble, breathtaking lighting and pyrotechnic effects that make you feel like Simon Cowell has just pressed the golden buzzer. It’s a show-stopping few minutes which are a testament to the cast, band, production team and society’s committee who proved to be more ambitious than ever before.
The song is aided by an exhilarating ensemble, breathtaking lighting and pyrotechnic effects that make you feel like Simon Cowell has just pressed the golden buzzer. It’s a show-stopping few minutes which are a testament to the cast, band, production team and society’s committee who proved to be more ambitious than ever before.
‘Saturday Night in the City’ isn’t the only stand out song from the show. ‘Single’ features the Wedding Band performers alongside Jack Byrne and society Auditor Robert Hogan in a hilarious song-and-dance from five bachelors, while ‘Move that Thang’ presents Agotha’s lovable grandmother and Kirwan’s eccentric keyboardist as an unexpected dynamic duo backed by a stellar ensemble.
That impressive ensemble is led by Robert Hogan and Alanna Kane as vocal captains and Lizzie McEnri and Sinead Gormally as dance captains. Cast Rep Fionn O’Neill had excellent moments throughout, as did the remainder of the dance ensemble made up by Kelly Ward, Sofia Church, Siofra McDermott, Cian Cunningham and Amy Van Eekeren. This show is brought to life by its animated ensemble who brought a bouncing atmosphere to Astra Hall, which was completed by Sophie Fitzsimons, Elijah Lopez, Amy Brien, Rose Smithet, Dani Halpin, Jess Collins, Colm Nicholl, Joseph Harrison and Eloise Broderick.
The band is as flawless as the cast, and Regazzi led a group of student musicians through a complicated score in a manner which would lead the audience to believe that a professional band was behind the curtain. Ian Lynam, Lucy Sky Dunne, Noah O’Donohoe, Ben Varma, Claudia O’Regan, Felim Sullivan, Sam Hoffheinz, Arran Barry, Saoirse Corry, Carl Micner-Swiac, Rosa Liege and Clodagh Walsh were excellent right until the audience left Astra Hall.
The Wedding Singer is an ambitious semester one show for UCD Musical Society. The show features a complicated set managed by Áine Byrne and Daniel Jackman, colourful hair and makeup created by Sorcha McGlynn and Abbey Coffey, and impressive props, costumes and technical elements which are a credit to the large extended production team for the show. Produced by Brian Higgins, the show is a top-class example of what this society is capable of, and it’s clear that the production team and society’s executive committee led a large team of students through a mountain of work. The work paid off and they’ve delivered one of UCD’s greatest productions.
Back in 2009, the University Observer described UCD Musical Society’s performance of The Wedding Singer as “energetic and fun”, yet, “a touch irritating”. Now, almost two decades later, “energetic and fun” remain, yet “a touch irritating” has transformed into breathtaking, professional and sensational.
Back in 2009, the University Observer described UCD Musical Society’s performance of The Wedding Singer as “energetic and fun”, yet, “a touch irritating”. Now, almost two decades later, “energetic and fun” remain, yet “a touch irritating” has transformed into breathtaking, professional and sensational.
Is this the society’s best show to date? It could be, but that’s a matter of opinion. However, does it feature an exceptional cast and band, incredible production value and two hours of top-tier entertainment that you’d be happy to walk away from the Bord Gais Energy theatre with? This reviewer says yes.
The Wedding Singer runs in Astra Hall until Saturday November 22nd. Congratulations to all involved.