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LOG LINE: Because of a blackout, a Newlywed Couple gets locked in their Bridal Suite with Both sets of In-Laws, the Best Man and a Flamboyant Bellboy, on their Wedding Night.
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Carolanne Marano & Jonathan Drahos
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The Uprising Theatre Company's new production 'How our In-Laws Ruined our Wedding' opened at The Fremont Centre Theatre, October 1st, for an eight-week run. I had the pleasure to attend opening night. I haven't laughed that hard since I heard President Bush's explanation of what happened with FEMA and Katrina. The Play, written by Carolanne Marano, ran Off-Broadway in New York with the name, 'At the Threshold', a much too sophisticated name for California Theatre goers. (They wouldn't get it)
Meg (Carolanne Marano) and Mike (Jonathan Wade Drahos) finally get married after eight years, with thoughts of a beautiful and memorable wedding night. The wedding went perfectly until her parents; Lou (Steve Ryan) and Barbara (Robin Krieger) steal the limo and go for cocktails at the Tavern-on-the-Green, for two hours. The Bride and Groom are forced to run through the park, get mugged, just to get to their private, little, love-nest.
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Jonathan Drahos, Art Cardoza & Carolanne Marano
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Act One, of this delightful comedy, opens with the bride and groom arriving at their honeymoon suite, dazed and baffled by what just happened to their dream day.
Giorgio (Art Cardoza), the flamboyant Bell Boy, blasts in and out and welcomes them to their play-pen and points out all the places for them to make love; the bedroom, the balcony under the stars, the floor.
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Robin Krieger, Carolanne Marano, Jonathan Drahos & Steve Ryan
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They snap out of it and continue with the planned wedding night festivities; starting with their favorite bedroom gymnastics game, 'Naughty Circus', Mike in leopard-print boxers and Meg in her sexy lion tamer's outfit, equipped with hat, whip and fishnet stockings. (I particularly liked the fishnets)
After repeatedly unanswered phone calls to see if they were okay, Meg's wealthy parents, Barbara and Lou, show up and catch them with their pants down. (Literally) Barbara's total self-centeredness and Lou's constant complaining about what this is costing him, sets the tone for who these people are.
Mike's parents, Joanne (Willow Hale) and Chuck (Jack Kissell), arrive with Joanne totally worried about the well being of her little boy and Chuck's one and only concern' the bar.
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Carolanne Marano, Willow Hale, Jonathan Drahos, Steve Ryan, Robin Krieger & Art Cardoza
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To complicate matters more, Scotty (Dave Bushnell), Mike's Best Man shows up after a short stop at the Hotel's bar. Why drink there when drinks are free in the room.
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Willow Hale, Carolanne Marano & Robin Krieger
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The remainder of the first act is the newlywed couple's dilemma of how to get rid of this band of dysfunctional misfits after a blackout locks the door and makes it impossible for them to leave, ending with the Groom injuring his head trying to break it loose.
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Carolanne Marano, Dave Bushnell, Art Cordoza, Jonathan Drahos & Steve Ryan
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Act Two opens with them carrying the injured Groom to the couch. (Drahos is approximately 6'3' 220lbs, really funny) Barbara throws her hip out carrying his head, Joanne is screaming, 'Look what you've done to my baby!' Lou is amazed by the logic behind trying to break a door out that opens in and the total chaos of it all is extremely funny and well directed.
The remainder of this original, unique and delightfully funny play reveals many eye-opening truths about marriage and that love conquers all.
I've learned that all great bodies of work start with the written word and Carolanne Marano's script is outstanding. It's funny, full of twist and turns, great characters and makes you feel it' the up and downside of love and marriage. A treat, seldom-seen on the stage.
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Jonathan Drahos, Robin Krieger & Carolanne Marano
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Director, Jackie Apodaca, skillfully guided this troupe of veteran stage and television Actors, making this a wonderful evening of Theatre. Drahos, Marano and The Uprising Theatre Company have put together another great production. I highly recommend, 'How our In-Laws ruined our Wedding.' It's a total hoot and I think I'll see it again if I'm ever feeling down.
Website - http://www.uprisingtheatre.com
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