The Shawnee Theatre opens its 2009 season with "The Wedding Singer," a musical based on the popular movie.
Shawnee veteran Kevin Guthridge has the role that Adam Sandler played in the film. In past summers Shawnee audiences have heard Guthridge singing the songs of Hank Williams in "Lost Highway" and those recorded by Frank Sinatra in "Old Blue Eyes."
"The country music was a real stretch for me and of course anything that Frank Sinatra has put his stamp on was a challenge," said Guthrie. "This time, we have a show with original music that most of the audience won't have heard before. The songs have a distinctly 80s feel and will remind people of various pieces and groups, but they're all new."
"The 80s was a time when synthesizers came on strong and the orchestration was heavily processed. We actually have an instrument called the orch-extra which has all the parts for the show, so it will have that same feel."
In addition to playing the lead in "The Wedding Singer" Guthridge has many other responsibilities for the Shawnee season. "I'll be acting, directing, playing guitar, designing sets and doing a good bit of construction. About the only thing you won't see me doing is sewing on the costumes."