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The '80s Make A Comeback

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By SARAH HOYE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 29, 2007

Hair bands, frosted-wash jeans and President Reagan. Ahh, the '80s.

Relive the decade up close with the Broadway musical comedy "The Wedding Singer," which is at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg for eight shows starting today.

Based upon the 1998 hit film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, the musical is about a fun-loving wedding singer, Robbie Hart, who gets left at the altar and finds happiness with the help of a new friend. The five-time Tony-nominated theater production features original music written for the stage (sorry folks, there are no radio hits from the film), lots of dance numbers and plenty of '80s references.

"It doesn't matter if you remember the '80s or didn't experience the '80s," says Merritt David Janes who plays Robbie. "It's a great night out. … You'll have a good time."

Janes tried out for the part in the production to get experience auditioning. Much to his surprise, he was called back and got the lead role.

"I guess you could say I landed a big fish. … I've always been a student up until now, it's all very new to me," says the 26-year-old, who admits to liking being the center of attention. "I feel like I have my rock-star moment."

Erin Elizabeth Coors, who plays Julia, also stumbled upon the auditions for the show. Coors ran into a casting director acquaintance that encouraged her to go out for the show. Not sold on the idea, she tried out anyway and eventually got the part.

"I love it so much. Its fun to make people laugh, but its nice to show people a beautiful story," says Coors, who also played iconic Barbie on the "Barbie Live in Fairytopia" tour last year. She got her start singing and dancing in the eighth grade after appearing in a school production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

"My job is the best in the world. I go to work for two hours a day and play with my friends on stage."

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832 or shoye@tampatrib.com.

ON STAGE

The Wedding Singer

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

WHERE: Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg

TICKETS: $30 to $70; (727) 892.5767 or (727) 898-2100; mahaffeytheater.com

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