By CASEY NEILL
TOORADIN’S Lucas Neale is helping Cardinia Performing Arts Company bring back the ’80s.
He’ll play Sammy in the group’s production of The Wedding Singer, which will hit the stage in Pakenham next month.
Shaun Harvey from Pakenham plays George and he said there was a little extra pressure bringing a silver screen favourite to life.
“But the musical is very different. I think it’s better,” he said.
“There’s only two songs from the movie that are in the musical.
“The songs are completely related to the story rather than just well-known songs.
“The music is great – so ’80s and really fun.
“Most of the same storyline is there and it’s what everyone relates to.”
Lucas said the stage show characters were quite different from the movie.
“In the movie there’s not the love story between Sammy and Holly, and also in the musical Sammy is the bass player in Robbie’s band whereas in the movie he’s the limo driver,” he said.
“It’s not like if you’ve seen the movie, you don’t have to see the musical.
“It’s very different.”
Lucas raided his dad’s wardrobe to dress the part and many of the cast members have turned to op shops for their costumes.
“A lot of it’s recycled,” Shaun said.
They’re rehearsing three days a week to perfect not just the songs and lines, but the dances.
“And then you’ve got to practice at home or you’ll forget everything you’ve learnt from the last rehearsal,” Lucas said.
The Wedding Singer’s gala opening night is on 23 August, and the final show is on Friday 5 September at Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham.
Tickets are $32 for adults, $29 concession, $25 for kids and $105 for a family of two adults and two children.
Tickets are $25 each for group bookings for 15 or more people.
They’re available from www.trybooking.com.
CPAC performs two full-scale musicals each year.
Visit www.cardiniaperformingarts.com to get involved.
