“Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” will take the stage at Neuqua Valley this upcoming Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. This play started in Chicago in 1985, and it has been performed professionally across the country. However, it has been attempted by only a few high schools. The thing that makes your night at Tony and Tina’s notable isn’t only the wonderful acting and hilarious improv, but also the interactive aspect that is tied into the performance.

“We have a baseline story that we are following,” shared Shreya Mendiratta, an actress in the play. “It’s Tony and Tina’s wedding, and the audience are the guests. We actually eat with them and go around updating people on all the drama that’s happening.”

Director Ms. Dabezic shared the effort that goes into bringing the show to life. 

“It takes every minute possible – there are always things to do,” she said, elaborating on how they are constantly changing things and tweaking mistakes to have the perfect show. Normally, it takes about three days for casting, for a show this size. From then on, they use every day to build, design, and develop everyone’s characters. 

“During rehearsal, it’s a lot of running through and preparing for audience interaction, which is hard because [we don’t have an audience yet],” reflected Ayanna Javier, an actress in the play. 

Javier also shared that she enjoys this production a lot due to the fun she has had “thinking of ways to get a conversation started that’s tailored to each character [they] play!” 

With nearly 80 percent of the show being improvised, every role matters. Still, all eyes are on the newlyweds themselves, played by Charlie Krohl and Olivia Spiezio. “Tony n’ Tina’s” wedding is already sold out. However, they have many other performances this year. These range from the winter play – “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”- to the spring musical – “Mamma Mia!” 

If you would like to support Neuqua Theatre and see an amazing production, check out nvhstheatre.com.