Making Your Wedding Unique

Editor's note: In the interests of full disclosure, we should mention that two Phillyists - Editor Jill and Associate Editor Katie - are involved with the production reviewed below.

I'll be upfront with everyone: I am basically a musical theatre nut case. Going to a play is a very rare occasion and when I do it's usually to something familiar or famous. I am usually so involved in a musical(s) that I don't have time to watch real theatre. Now some of you might hate musicals and love straight plays or vice versa. I can guarantee that there will be no one walking out of the current production of "The Wedding Consultant" hating anything.

Frankly, I don't really know how to respond to this production except to say, "Go see it yourself!" In the press release it says, "In the madcap play based on Singel's wildly successful monologue of the same name, the playwright/actor portrays five wildly divergent characters caught up in the same-sex wedding filled with unexpected surprises." Unexpected is truly the understatement of the evening.

Singel portrays five completely different characters throughout the night with grace and precision. He has but a brief few moments to completely change from a Southern trailer trash, soap-watching, 50-year-old woman (the mother of the groom) to a motorcycle-riding, hard-ass lesbian who has anger management issues (the mother of the other groom). He also transforms himself into a flaming homosexual (the groom), macho-cussing state patrol man (the best-man of the other groom) and a very poised but alcoholic wedding consultant. These transformations are achieved in part through costume changes, but mostly through Singel’s speech and mannerisms. Each character brought new depth and charm to this show.

Throughout the hour and a half production only a few lines were misplaced, a major feat when you realize that this is an hour and a half monologue. Singel's writing and acting were proof that he has put his heart and soul into this production and it clearly showed through his wonderfully manipulated, wildly imagined (or maybe not so imagined) characters.

For those of you who are avid theatre goers, please support a local playwright/actor. It will be well worth your time and money. For those of you who never attend theatre, this is your chance to go to the L2 Restaurant and Bar and participate in a night that is unlike anything you have yet to encounter. Hey, if you do hate it, you don't even have to leave the room to drown your sorrows. The bar is only two feet away from the audience. Now that's what I call "real" theatre.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please see their website at: www.vagabondactingtroupe.org.

Image via Vagabond Acting Troupe