The magic of musical theater

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/13/2025 - 11:56

Although it may seem that times are changing with each new generation, it is possible to be transported to the past with the right music.

On the weekend of Jan. 31, 2025, the Sherman Theater, a local Stroudsburg venue, held the musical production of Adam Sandler’s “The Wedding Singer.”

The show was produced through In2YouArts, a local theater company in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The company has also produced other shows like “Matilda.” Anyone can participate in productions run by In2YouArts, from children to adults, and that’s just what this show did.

The final number of The Wedding Singer. Photo provided by Edward Anders. (Crista Kopec)

According to Fandom, the musical comedy of “The Wedding Singer,” was based on the 1998 comedy, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The film is set in 1985 in Ridgefield, New Jersey, as wedding singer Robbie Heart, played by Sandler, meets Julia Sullivan, a waitress, played by Barrymore. They are both engaged to other people but soon find affection for one another. The movie is filled with nostalgic songs, style, and magic from the 1980s.

“My favorite number was ‘All About The Green’, and my favorite character was Holly,” expressed Mackenzie Dalton ’25. “I enjoyed all of the 80s music and the sets. It was a really good show.”

The cast from In2YouArts had no trouble bringing the magic of the 80s to life and stage. The musical paralleled many movie similarities, like the iconic “Grow Old With You” scene while also including its own local flair. You can find the clip of this scene at the top of the article.

The musical was directed by Max Kubiak, a local theater director and participant, and also the director of several Stroudsburg High School musicals. Currently, he is directing “The Addams Family,” for SHS. He also starred as Julia’s boyfriend, Glen Gulia in the musical.

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“I had a cast that was a lot of my friends and coworkers, former and current students, family and friends. The Wedding Singer was a good, long experience. I saw the show on a field trip with Stroudsburg High School. I wanted to do it for a long time but needed the right people for Robbie and Holly. I was excited to get to do it after so many years.”

— Max Kubiak

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Many students and adults from all over Poconos participated. Stroudsburg Area School District had many students participate: seniors, Alisabeth Guepet and Alexander Franolich; juniors, Mikaela Lipitz and Sandy Gravesande; sophomore, Luis Torres, and eighth grader, Megan Herder.

“During “The Wedding Singer,” I was able to meet a significant amount of people from different backgrounds,” says Alisabeth Guepet, ensemble member. “My favorite part of doing the musical was working with professionals and working out of my comfort zone. Performing in musicals reminds me to look beyond myself and provides a creative outlet individually and for the community.”

The stage was a time machine as it transported audience members back to the 1980s. From authentic colorfully patterned costumes to funky tunes, being in the theater was like being in an 80s movie. The hair was the final touch of authenticity which reminded the audience of the interesting permed, crimped, and big hair fashion trends.

Lisa Rogers, a retired orchestra director of Stroudsburg High School, made her theater debut as Rosie, Robbie Heart’s grandmother in the musical. Beloved by the Stroudsburg community and her former students, Rogers had a deafening applause with her rendition of “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang. She touched the hearts of many and caused a chain reaction of laughter throughout the show.

Here is a clip of “Rosie’s Rap” shared by the YouTube channel Cinema Covers. “Rosie’s Rap.’

The local theater created a getaway and gave the cast an opportunity to find their funky 80s self. Leaving the theater teary-eyed, I knew that it was possible to get away from the current events of the world and be transported to happiness as long as there was a stage filled with talent, rhythm, and magic in front of me.