Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding

'Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding' a toast to interactive theater

By Kristine McKenzie

When audiences attend Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding at V Theater, they're not simply seeing a show, they're participating in a show.

Perhaps "audiences" isn't even the correct term, because instead of sitting back and watching a performance, attendees are asked to set aside reality for a couple of hours and actually become "guests" at the nuptials of Anthony Nunzio Jr. and Valentina Lynne Vitale, an Italian-American couple who come from two slightly dysfunctional families.

When the two stereotypically Italian families get together at the wedding and reception, it's fodder for "America's Funniest Home Videos," complete with drunken guests (including the priest), family bickering, a pregnant maid of honor, bridesmaids with big hair and tacky red dresses and a flamboyant brother of the bride.

From the beginning, the guests are asked to be part of the show by singing along with a hymn at the wedding.

Then, it's off to the reception where a wedding singer and band entertain guests and encourage everyone to dance to standard wedding fare like the infamous chicken dance, the dollar dance and "YMCA."

As at any wedding, there's also the bouquet toss, the throwing of the garter and the ubiquitous wedding photographer snapping photos at every opportunity. Guests can later purchase the photos of themselves with the family.

Whether you choose to participate by talking and dancing with the family (who are all actors that are never out of character) or you just sit back and watch the comedy unfolding, Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding is a show that anyone who has ever attended a wedding can relate to.