The Wedding Singer

Recently Updated

The Wedding Singer: A West End 1980s Romp

"The Wedding Singer" burst onto London’s West End at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre with previews on January 30, 2020, officially opening February 7 and running until March 1. Based on the 1998 Adam Sandler film, this musical features music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. Directed by Nick Winston and choreographed by Ashley Nottingham, it marked its first major West End bow after a 2006 Broadway debut and UK tours in 2008 and 2017. Produced by Dan Looney and Paul Taylor-Mills, it starred Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton as Robbie Hart, bringing 1980s nostalgia to life with a limited 31-performance run that sold out its 1,000-seat venue, affirming its cult appeal.

A Heartbreak Hit in Ridgefield

Set in 1985 New Jersey, the story follows Robbie Hart, a wedding singer dumped at the altar by fiancée Linda. Once the life of every party, he spirals into a funk, sabotaging gigs until he meets Julia Sullivan, a waitress dreaming of her own wedding to Wall Street shark Glen Guglia. As Robbie and Julia bond, his bandmates Sammy and George urge him to move on, but love pulls him back. Missteps pile up: Julia nearly weds Glen in Vegas, only for Robbie to chase her down with a mid-flight serenade, “Grow Old With You,” winning her heart. It’s a rollercoaster of big hair, big dreams, and bigger redemption, steeped in 1980s flair.

Songs That Pop with 1980s Vibe

Matthew Sklar’s score channels the 1980s with a punchy pop-rock edge, featuring “It’s Your Wedding Day,” “Someday,” and “Somebody Kill Me,” the latter penned by Sandler and Herlihy from the film. “Saturday Night in the City” and “All About the Green” amp up the era’s excess, while “Come Out of the Dumpster” and “Grow Old With You” deliver heartfelt turns. Conducted by Francis Goodhand, with orchestrations by Lynne Shankel, the music nods to MTV’s golden age think Cyndi Lauper and Billy Idol cameos earning a four-star nod from The Stage for its “sparkling” retro zest. It’s a love letter to the decade’s sound and style.

A Cast Dancing Through the Decade

Kevin Clifton led as Robbie Hart, his dance prowess and pop vocals electrifying the role, paired with Rhiannon Chesterman’s winsome Julia. Tara Lee shone as Holly, Julia’s sassy cousin, while Britt Lenting’s Linda brought brash betrayal. Ray Shelly (Sammy), Ashley Emerson (George), and Jonny Muir (Glen) rounded out the core, with Sandra Marvin’s Grandma Rosie stealing laughs. The ensemble doubling as 1980s icons drove Nottingham’s high-energy choreography, from trash-can tangos to Vegas struts. Clifton’s Strictly-honed charisma, fresh from "Strictly Ballroom," anchored a cast that The Guardian hailed as “infectiously enthusiastic,” lifting the show’s limited run.

A Nostalgic West End Flash

Building on its 284-performance Broadway run and 2006 Tony nod for Best Musical, "The Wedding Singer" hit the West End after UK tours honed its appeal 2008 with Jonathan Wilkes and 2017 at Leicester’s Curve. The 2020 Troubadour staging, 35 minutes from central London, drew raves for its “unashamedly feel-good” vibe (Daily Mail), though its short run reflected a packed season with "The Lion King" and "Les Misérables." Its film-to-stage journey, echoing "Hairspray," thrives on nostalgia, with no major revivals since, though its 1980s charm keeps it a fan favorite. As of March 2025, it’s a West End memory still rocking the retro wave.