'Tony n' Tina's Wedding' vows unceremonious fun
When it comes to one-of-a-kind, spontaneous Italian-American celebrations, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at Planet Hollywood really takes the cake.
The interactive dinner show, one of the longest-running comedies in American theater history, is a slice of unbridled hilarity that began off Broadway in 1988 to rave review. It has since spread to more than 120 other cities worldwide, including Las Vegas.
Audience participation begins quickly. The evening starts with a wedding ceremony between Tony Nunzio and Tina Vitale, and "wedding guests" — the audience — are called on to sing.
That's followed by a rousing reception hosted by Vinnie Black that includes good music, dancing, lots of love and laughter, great food, champagne and even wedding cake. Both Tony and Tina come from raucous, loud, dysfunctional Italian-American families with some unforgettable characters — most of whom sound like the cast of Goodfellas on steroids.
The unpredictability of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding supplies the fun: About half of the show is improvised each night. Because the actors are indistinguishable from guests and mix and mingle with them, no one's quite sure of the outcome. And you’re never sure who's going to drop by your table.
The cast includes a pregnant bridesmaid, a stripper girlfriend and a drunken priest. Female impersonator Frank Marino has added his own distinctive presence, toast and Bob Mackie gown to the nuptials.
Tickets are available online or by calling (702) 949-6450. Tickets include the show; dancing to the songs of one of Vegas’ hottest band, Fusion; dinner, champagne and wedding cake.
Where the dinner's concerned, it doesn’t hurt that Robert Earl, owner of Planet Hollywood, owns one of the most popular family-style Italian eateries in Las Vegas, Buca di Beppo. That gives the buffet-style dinner, which includes salads, rolls, pastas and Italian entrees, a restaurant quality and flavor not usually found in banquet food. Guests can buy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at the bar.
Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding moved to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in February 2009 after seven years at the Rio and more than 1,800 walks down the aisle in front of more than 315,500 wedding guests. The show’s original New York director, Larry Pellegrini, directs and supervises the casting, rehearsal and production process of the Las Vegas version.
- by Bobbie Katz, Las Vegas Reporter for HelloMetro
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