I don't remember the '80s being this much fun...

Okay, I've gotten down off my high horse. Permanently. Every time I make a snobbish pronouncement such as "movie stars aren't good enough for Broadway" or "jukebox musicals aren't real musicals" or "the trend of making musicals out of movies is silly" I end up eating my words -- first Hugh Jackman (2004 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical; 2004 Theatre World Award; 2004 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical), then JERSEY BOYS and now THE WEDDING SINGER.

Mind you, I haven't seen THE WEDDING SINGER yet, but I've been listening to the cast recording non-stop (partly because both my daughters have fallen in love with it!) and I have to admit it -- I love it! It's just so much darn fun! It's totally pastiche (don't you just love throwing that word around?) '80s fare, but pumped up for Broadway, just like the JERSEY BOYS score (when I hear the original "Rag Doll" or "Oh What A Night" on the radio they feel like ballads (well almost)!

With music by Mathew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, THE WEDDING SINGER stars Stephen Lynch in the Adam Sandler role of Robbie Hart, and Laura Benanti in the Drew Barrymore role of Julia Sullivan.

The songs are super catchy, and make me want to get up and dance. I thought they did an excellent job at the Tonys performing "It's Your Wedding Day" -- that song totally rocks (Oh. My. God. I've started using the word "totally" again!).

All the arrangements are reminiscent of '80s artists, but since I wasn't always into '80s music, I don't recall which artists exactly, but it is very familiar. I'll hear strains of Madonna, Billy Joel, songs from FAME and others that I can't always put my finger on (Boz Scaggs? Hall and Oates? Huey Lewis? Spandau Ballet? Boy George? Whatever...) but hearing that stuff again, I can't help but smile. I'm so easy...but not cheap!

I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that they kept two of the songs from the movie, (written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy) -- "Somebody Kill Me", and "Grow Old With You". Stephen Lynch does a hilarious rendition of "Somebody Kill Me"!

My favorite, totally awesome songs are "Come Out Of The Dumpster", "It's Your Wedding Day", "Single" (love the groove on that one!), "Pop!" and "Casualty of Love".

I'm seeing the show in a couple of weeks and I can't wait! But I am going to take earplugs just in case the music "is just too darn loud"!

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