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Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Attack of the 80s

Touring troupe bolsters resurrection of the big-hair and synthesizers era with musical ‘The Wedding Singer’

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Back in 1985, MTV was new, "Dynasty" was a hit, Duran Duran reigned the airwaves and the coolest girls wore leg warmers.

Take a trip back to that "totally awesome" time with the touring Broadway musical "The Wedding Singer," coming to the Gallo Center for the Arts on Thanksgiving weekend.

Based on the 1998 hit movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, the musical was nominated for six 2006 Tony Awards.

"It's a party from beginning to end," said Mike Zygo, who stars as Robbie Hart, the title character. "As soon as the curtain comes up, it's full of energy, synthesizers and screaming guitars."

Created by original screenplay writer Tim Herlihy (book), Chad Beguelin (book and lyrics) and Matthew Sklar, the show closely follows the movie's plot. A musician in a cover band falls into depression after his high school sweetheart ditches him at the altar.

His life turns around when he meets a cute waitress named Julia at a banquet hall where he frequently performs.

Sklar's score features new music designed to sound like classic 1980s hits. There are songs that sound like Journey's "Faithfully" and Van Halen's "Jump."

The show attracts people in their 30s and 40s who came of age in the time, as well as kids who enjoy the era, said Jill Zygo, who co-stars as Julia.

"The 1980s are coming back right now," she said. "At Forever 21, if you go shopping, leggings and big hair are coming back."

The fact that the two leads have the same last name is not a coincidence. The two met in college at the State University of New York Geneseo in the late 1990s and have been married for four and a half years.

"We've done over 35 shows together," Jill Zygo said. "This is only the third show we've ever played opposite each other, which makes it more special. This is the only time we've gotten married onstage."

Jill Zygo said her favorite part of "The Wedding Singer" is at the end, when Mike sings the song "Grow Old With You."

"My husband is getting down on his knees proposing to me," she said. "I love it, I absolutely love it!"

Mike Zygo said he's grateful that he and his wife have paid acting jobs at all in this economy. That they have jobs in the same show and are co-stars is amazing.

"We try not to take it for granted ever," he said. "How many people get this opportunity?"

The couple said they put their own spin on their roles and don't duplicate the performances of the movie.

"When you're taking it to the stage, it's got to be a new thing," said Mike Zygo. "There's no way I'm ever going to be Adam Sandler."

The Zygos are traveling with a company of about 40 people, including actors, backstage crew members and musicians.

The band includes a drummer, a reed player on flute, saxophone and clarinet, a bass player and two piano players. The band's music is supplemented by prerecorded tracks laid down by a guitarist.

Audiences love the music, the Zygos said.

"1980s music is huge," Mike Zygo said. "You go to any bar, '80s music is playing all the time."

The company has been traveling around the country with the musical since April and won't be done until March. The Zygos are proud of the entertainment they are offering.

"There's huge dance numbers, amazing production numbers, a really talented company," Jill Zygo said. "You do not have to see the movie to enjoy this romantic comedy. Come ready to laugh and have fun. This show is great."

Rocio Villegas contributed to this report.

For more about Modesto area arts, visit www.twitter.com/lisamillegan.