Dist. 214 students join forces to stage 'Wedding Singer'
An all-star cast from Northwest Suburban High School District 214 will perform "The Wedding Singer," which is a musical based on the hit movie.
The production, which brings together singers and dancers from across six District 214 schools, will take audiences to a time when pastel was in, hair was big and the wedding singer was the coolest guy in the room. It runs Thursday, July 13, through Saturday, July 15.
Based on the hit film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, "The Wedding Singer" is about wannabe rock star Robbie Hart, who is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer until he is left at the altar.
Every wedding he plays is a disaster until a charming waitress named Julia captures his affections. The trouble is, Julia is engaged to a successful Wall Street broker, and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of his lifetime, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever. Can he win her heart before she says "I do," or will it be too late?
Emily Franke of Elk Grove High School plays Julia, and she talked about what it takes to put together a musical of this size.
Q: What is it like behind the scenes with the cast and crew, especially since you only have a few weeks to put this show together?
Franke: I think, especially during the summer, if you join this you're really committed to doing this. It's your whole summer, but that's what makes it so great; everyone really wants to be here and everyone is super committed to the show.
Everything is really fast paced, but it really keeps you on your toes. You surprise yourself about how much you can remember and how much you can get together. We did the biggest dance in one day; it was crazy, but it works really well because everyone's working together.
Q: This show brings together students from all over District 214. What is it like getting to work with them on a show like this?
Franke: I love working with people across the district because then (later) during the year for different musical events we all go and support each other. We really are able to bond and become friends in such a short time. It's really fun to have friends across the district.
Q: What is it like for the orchestra, the crew, and the cast to come together to create a show of this magnitude?
Franke: It takes a lot of teamwork and everyone is really focused, but it is really cool to put all the different art forms together so quickly. You really don't get to see totally what the show is going to look like until we put on the show because everything is going so quickly. So the opening night is really special!
Q: The cast and crew are trying to make this show as immersive for the audience as possible. You really want to make them feel like they are at a wedding. What is it like to create a show like that?
Franke: We just rehearsed the beginning of the show where the cast is just talking and sitting at their tables, and it's like you're watching someone's wedding go by and then the show starts. You almost don't realize the show is starting because you are just watching this wedding take place. It's neat. So far it has been a lot of fun.
If you go
What: "The Wedding Singer"
When: 7 p.m. July 13, 14 and 15
Where: Forest View Educational Center Theatre, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights
Cost: $10 online and at the door (if available); https://www.onthestage.com/show/prospect-high-school-theater/the-wedding-singer-8677