Under the stewardship of artistic and executive director, Nathalie Durot Ribette, Sing’theatre is bringing a burst of 1980s nostalgia, humour and heart to the stage with its latest Showstoppers production of The Wedding Singer, a musical that goes beyond comedy and neon spectacle to explore friendship, resilience and human connection.
While the show embraces the colour and chaos of the 1980s, the team believes its emotional themes remain timeless. From heartbreak, self-doubt to friendship and personal growth, The Wedding Singer taps into experiences that continue to resonate with audiences today. Coupled with infectious music and upbeat comedic themes, the production aims to leave audiences laughing, nostalgic and uplifted.
For Sing’theatre, the musical, adapted from the American romantic hit film, written by Tim Herlihy, and produced by Robert Simonds and Jack Giarraputo, featuring comedic actors, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, was a natural fit for its mission of “Performing for a Better Society”, using theatre not only as entertainment but as a way to build confidence, connection and community. The production forms part of the organisation’s Showstoppers programme, where performers from different backgrounds and professions come together through a shared love of musical theatre.
What makes this staging especially distinctive is the sense of camaraderie behind the scenes.
Over months of rehearsals, cast members not only learned choreography, songs and scene work, but also built trust, resilience and genuine friendships with one another. Something the production team believes audiences will feel from the stage.
Balancing comedy, romance and fast-paced ensemble sequences was no small feat.
With rapid costume changes, tightly coordinated choreography and a large cast with varying experience levels, rehearsals demanded precision, teamwork and adaptability. Yet for Sing’theatre, that collaborative spirit is exactly what makes The Wedding Singer more than just a musical — it is a celebration of community, creativity and collective joy. We speak with director, TJ Taylor to dive more closely into what makes this production tick.
Popspoken: How would you describe your directing approach for this production?
TJ Taylor: My approach to directing always begins with the audience. I constantly ask myself: how do I want them to feel, react and connect with the characters and the action on stage?
From there, it is about understanding the strengths of the actors, the timescale we are working within and the resources available, then bringing all of those elements together to create the strongest production we can.
The real magic of Showstoppers, though, is that we work as one big ensemble. Although I lead the rehearsal room as director, it truly takes the whole community to share ideas, collaborate, support one another and guide each other through the process. That is especially important when creating a large-scale musical with performers who are balancing rehearsals alongside their day jobs and everyday lives.
Popspoken: What does a successful musical theatre ensemble look like to you?
TJ Taylor: For me, ensemble is built on trust.
It is about trusting that every person in the rehearsal room will support you, encourage you to take risks, celebrate the moments that work, and help find solutions when something does not quite land.
When a company has that level of trust, you can really see and feel the difference on stage. The energy becomes shared, the storytelling becomes stronger and the whole production feels alive.
Popspoken: The show thrives on timing and rhythm. How do you coach performers through that balance of comedy and sincerity?
TJ Taylor: The Wedding Singer is such a hidden gem of a musical. The characters are beautifully written, each with their own distinct style, rhythm and comic world. The writing gives the audience so much to enjoy, but it also works best when the performers fully believe in the sincerity of the characters.
For our actors, especially the leads who carry so much of the show, it has been about finding the truth underneath the comedy. The jokes land best when they come from real relationships, real stakes and genuine emotion.
It is also a show that requires huge stamina. Many of the performers are on stage for long stretches, moving quickly between big musical numbers, comedy scenes and more heartfelt moments. That is no small feat for amateur performers rehearsing twice a week, but this cast has risen to the challenge brilliantly.
Popspoken: Was there a particular scene or musical number you were most excited to stage?
TJ Taylor: I have wanted to direct The Wedding Singer ever since I performed in it back at drama school. I have such fond memories of the fun, energy and pure joy of the show, and directing it has brought all of that back for me.
I have tried to channel that same joy into this production, which has been incredibly easy with such a dedicated, enthusiastic and generous cast.
I do particularly love the opening number. It begins with this fantastic feel-good instrumental that immediately tells the audience: you are in for a great time. It sets the tone perfectly and captures everything I love about the show — colour, energy, humour and heart.
Get your tickets now, for the staging at Goodman Arts Centre, here.
Featured image credit: Poh Yu Khing.
