American Theatre Company premiers My Big Gay Italian Wedding

(Tulsa, OK) In celebration of the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality in late June, American Theatre Company presents My Big Gay Italian Wedding by Anthony Wilkinson. Andrew and Anthony are getting married – and everyone wants to "help!” My Big Gay Italian Wedding spins into a hysterical fiasco as cultures collide when this musical and dance-filled extravaganza takes the stage in Tulsa’s East Village this July.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding satirizes the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage and the recent legalization of marriage equality in Oklahoma while drawing on larger than life gay and Italian characters. Anthony Pinnunziato, a gay Italian-American from a large chaotic family, wants to marry his boyfriend Andrew Polinski in a traditional Italian ceremony. Anthony's overbearing mother won't give her blessing unless Andrew's estranged mother also gives her blessing and a priest performs the ceremony. Matters are further complicated by Andrew's ex-boyfriend, intent on breaking up the couple.

The Wedding company will be headed by ATC veterans Barbara Murn (Over the River..., The Sisters Rosensweig, Harvey, A Christmas Carol, Broadway Bound and Lost In Yonkers), and John Knippers (A Christmas Carol, Honky Tonk Angels and The Immigrant) as the Bensonhurst Italian parents Angela and Joseph Pinnunziato. Claudia Sanders (Steel Magnolias, Tartuffe, Hamlet, The Heidi Chronicles, The Miracle Worker, The Crucible, The Ruling Class and Vanities, A Couple of White Chicks...), will play Angela’s sister Toniann.

Playing the Pinnunziato groom son, Anthony, is longtime ATC company member Mvnte July (She Kills Monsters, The Bomb-itty of Errors, and A Christmas Carol). New to ATC, Brandon Roye is taking on the role of Anthony’s intended Andrew.

ATC audiences will remember Ashlee Elmore from her musical direction of A Christmas Carol. Ashlee will musical direct as well as choreograph while playing the role of the Pinnunziato daughter and Anthony’s sister, Maria. They may also remember Phredi Tate from National Pastime, The Full Monty and Side Show. He plays Rodney in a very pivotal role in the show and the wedding ceremony.

New to American Theatre Company are Joe Merenda, Chris Coltrin, Laura Kemp, Angle McLemore, Matt Stenquist and Jay Christie. Matt Lindsey and Grace Stump are in the ensemble.

The production is directed by Kathryn Hartney (Any Day Now), musical direction and choreography by Ashlee Elmore, with scenery designed by Richard Ellis, lights designed by Melinda Lewis and the costume design by Marni Smith.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding is being presented at American Theatre Company Studios at 308 So. Lansing in Downtown Tulsa’s East Village from July 16 - 26. Evening performances are at 8pm and the matinee performances at 2pm. Tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for seniors and older students. For tickets go to MyTicketOffice.com or call (918) 596-7111. Tickets will also be available the day of the show at ATC Studios.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding is sponsored by Oklahomans for Equality, The East Village Association and The Gayly with assistance from TriArch, Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Saied Music Company, GuRuStu, KTUL TV, and Tulsa People Magazine.

The Gayly – July 9, 2015 @ 2:50pm.