As New Yorkers count down to Sunday, July 24, when same-sex marriages will officially be recognized by New York State, we received an ironically timed email from the creators of the interactive off-Broadway show My Big Gay Italian Wedding: Despite it’s timely theme, the show is shuttering on August 20.
The matrimonial comedy, which has run at St. Luke’s Theatre in Hell’s Kitchen for two years, focuses on a gay couple determined to make it to the altar despite the interference of overbearing relatives, jealous exes, high-strung wedding planners and other busybodies.
The show’s been something of a reality-television clearinghouse as well: Produced by The Real Housewives of New Jersey‘s Dina Manzo, Gay Wedding has included performances by various RHONJ cast members, RuPaul Drag Race contestants Mimi ImFurst and Stacy Layne Matthews, and A-List: New York star Reichen Lehmkuhl, among others. (Okay, so it’s not Coriolanus.)
The official press describes the closing as “bittersweet” for cast, producers, crew and playwright/co-star Anthony Wilkinson: “Having been able to fight for marriage equality on the world’s biggest stage and to see it come to fruition in New York State during the show’s run is a victory, and a remarkable experience for all involved.” Don’t get us crying—we’ll smudge our mascara!
