Tony N Tina's Wedding in Chicago: Not Your Typical Italian Wedding
Written: Jun 08 '01 (Updated Nov 28 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great fun, enthusiastic performers
Cons: food was unexciting, not really "high drama"
The Bottom Line: If people behaved this way at REAL weddings, it would be scandalous. But when Tony and Tina say they love each other, it's believable. That's why it's so fun!
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| Saxguy's Full Review: Tony N' Tina's Wedding |
When my wife announced that she wanted to go to see Tony N Tina’s Wedding for her birthday, I was thrilled. Why? I’d been trying to get her to go to this play for years. I knew why she was holding out - her Italian heritage is so integral to her, maybe she didn’t think it would be funny to see stereotypes about tacky American Italians.
We say the Chicago version of this play on Thursday evening, June 7, 2001. My wife and I attended, along with my son and his girlfriend.
There is a lounge next to the chapel, where you can have a drink or two before the “ceremony”. We did not go in there.
The play began for us with the wedding itself. This part of the play was not too far away from the typical wedding. It introduced the various family characters, the bride and groom, the priest, etc. We had a tremendous view. My wife was in her wheelchair and they escorted us to the front. We were just to the right of the so-called altar and my son and his friend sat in back of what turned out to be his favorite character, Nonna - the grandmother of the groom. In Chicago, the chapel is fairly large and narrow. While there is some action in the aisles, most of it takes place on or near the altar. Therefore, if you attend in Chicago, I suggest getting there early so you can sit near the front.
We got to roll out as part of the wedding procession. I figured it wasn’t our turn, but, hey, when they waved us in, I wasn’t about to argue.
The reception was next. The banquet hall was not as nice as the Italian weddings we’ve attended but that is part of the play. The band was playing while we entered. The musicians (singer, guitar, synth, bass and drums) were all quality musicians, even if they were playing wedding music that was on the cheesy side. There was the typical wedding dancing and songs, along with some more unique twists.
There was plenty of interaction between the guests and performers throughout. Among other highlights for us was Uncle Louie coming over to our table, asking in Italian, if
anybody spoke. My wife responded and they talked for about 10 minutes. Then, he sang her an Italian song.
Some aspects made it almost like a typical wedding reception. The band, the (champagne) toast, the pictures (available for $10 afterwards, we got one). Unlike the wedding I’ve attended, the wedding party and other performers all behaved badly at times, some behaving badly much of the time, a few nearly all the time. The behavior seemed to get more outrageous as the night wore on, because they were starting to act drunk.
The fun part about the reception was trying to figure out when it crossed the line between near-reality and total put-on. The bride and groom played it mostly straight, the others were playing some stereotyped roles, generally with some outrageousness. I thought the priest was funnier at the reception than he was in the chapel. There was clear tension between the families and between members within families. The caterer was a bit seedy, his wife a bit showy. The other characters had their moments and performed enthusiastically.
It’s really fun to watch others behaving this way. Maybe some of these things have happened some time at some weddings somewhere. If any of this happened at any REAL wedding I’ve attended, it would be scandalous. However, when the bride and groom tell each other, “I love you”, it’s believable and so sweet. That part IS like the weddings I’ve attended.
I was prepared for really poor food. It wasn’t so bad. The pasta was al dente, the sauce had a little bite to it. The sausage and peppers and the salad were not that great, but were ok. Seconds were allowed. There was a small piece of wedding cake near the end.
The only drink included was the champagne toast. Water was available at the cash bar, along with soft drinks and beer, wine and mixed drinks.
The show lasted 2 ½ hours all told. We paid $53 each for the tickets, $11 to park, $10 for the photo and $4 for a couple of sodas. For a long running play, that’s not so bad.
Great drama, this is not. It’s not Shakespeare or The Iceman Cometh. However, I go to plays to laugh and be entertained. Maybe this didn’t have the energy of Blue Man Group, but it was entertaining and fun. My entire family enjoyed this and there are not that many activities that my wife and I and my son can all enjoy.
So, I enthusiastically recommend this. 4 stars.
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Recommended:
Yes
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