Director’s Take: A Note to My Younger Self

You will spend the better part of the next 23 years of your life at a wedding! Here’s how that happens.

In 1990 when you are in your early 20’s, you will audition for the role of the wedding singer, Donny Dulce, in the Off-Broadway Smash Hit, Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding. You will not receive a callback for this role. Although you are very disappointed to not be considered for the role that you believe best shows off your skills as an actor and musician, you won’t be deterred from auditioning again for this groundbreaking interactive play.

Approximately one year later, you will audition for the role of the wedding crasher, Michael Just. At this audition, you should make bolder choices and take bigger chances with your interpretation of the character. When you are called back for this role, you will show off your improvisational skills leaving the Director no other choice but to cast you in the role.

After approximately 800 performances playing Tina’s ex-boyfriend, you will be offered the role of the Best Man, Barry Wheeler. You will accept this new challenge with the same enthusiasm, dedication and creativity you brought to the wedding crasher.

When you have performed about 400 performances as the Best Man, you will be offered the role you originally auditioned for and coveted, Donny Dulce. Your turn as the wedding singer will integrate all of your talents and provide you with an angle on the show that will serve you in ways you can’t yet imagine.

After a total of 5 plus years and approximately 1600 performances and endless laughter, you will leave Tony N Tina’s Wedding to pursue other creative opportunities both in theatre and in music.

This will begin a 7-year journey that takes you throughout Europe and the US performing and working with talented directors, musical directors, technical directors, producers, writers, actors, and musicians.

In the 21st century, you will be asked to direct the national touring company of Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding. Your intimate knowledge of the show and characters will give you the chance to hone your directorial style and skills. After 12 years of traveling around the country introducing hundreds of actors and thousands of audience members to the funny world of Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding, you will be asked by producer Joe Corcoran to direct the 2014 revival of the show in Times Square. You should accept this wonderful opportunity.

Note to my present self: Continue to make bold choices, take big chances, and find the laughter!