In this two-part episode, hosts Larry, Gret and Concetta speak to two people who were instrumental in securing the longevity of Tony n' Tina's Wedding, Randall Thropp and David Rothenberg.In part one, Randall recounts how his involvement with Tony & Tina’s Wedding began by creating an elaborate fake wedding cake prop, then expanded into designing and dressing the original New York reception space above Gus’ Place, inspired by over-the-top Italian restaurants like Mama Leone’s and built on a tight budget with Canal Street finds,. He describes audience immersion, theft of set pieces prompting the creation of his onstage role as Vlasik to monitor the room, and his stint as the photographer, making him the only person with interior photos from the original church and Vinnie Black’s Colosseum.In part two, David speaks about discovering the early Vicky shows and becoming the press agent for Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, which he says “rewrote the book” for off-Broadway by reaching audiences beyond traditional theatergoers. David recounts key PR moments—especially placing a New York Times food-section feature about a show that feeds the audience—plus celebrity and athlete stunt casting, wide TV coverage, and the challenges of keeping the show authentic while it expanded to cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and even Bermuda. He reflects on his broader career, including producing Fortune in Men’s Eyes, which led to founding a nonprofit supporting formerly incarcerated people and creating plays with Fortune Society residents. Now 92, David is preparing to do standup and has published two books.Tony n' Tina's Wedding: Creating a Theatre Tribe is a twice-a-month podcast that follows original NY director and later collaborators of the sensational Off-Broadway hit, Tony n' Tina's Wedding, that features interviews and memories of the show that created friends that became family world-wide. This podcast is produced by Virtual Arts, and edited by Christy Patti.Virtual Arts is a theatre and event company that connects artists and audiences globally to realize the full potential of online and in person productions by developing authentic works of hope, humor and humanity. We offer assistance, guidance and production value for online community outreach events that raise awareness and support families and artists world-wide.Websitevirtualartsproductions.orgFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/tonyntinaswedding.podcastfacebook.com/VirtualArtsProdsInstagraminstagram.com/tonyntinasweddingpodcastinstagram.com/virtual.arts.prods#offbroadway #podcasts #virtualarts

Hosts Larry, Gret and Concetta are joined by Tom Allen, who recounts how he got cast in Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding 41 years ago, navigating early rehearsals built on improvised tableaus before characters were fully formed. Tom describes his struggle to fit into the loud New York-Italian world, choosing to play Joey as a closeted gay man for the period rather than a stereotype, shaping the role through conversations about shame, and collaborating with his onstage mother to keep Joey’s secret alive. He shares key character breakthroughs like wearing red spike heels without comment, bringing in Neil Monaco's Rick DeMarco as Joey’s boyfriend, and quietly dancing together in the LA run. The conversation also covers cast camaraderie, venue differences, audience dynamics, pranks with Cousin Terry, memorabilia, a cross-country caravan to LA, a pivotal New York Times rave for The Vicky Shows, and celebrity attendees like Tracey Ullman and Catherine O’Hara.

Tony n' Tina's Wedding: Creating a Theatre Tribe is a twice-a-month podcast that follows original NY director and later collaborators of the sensational Off-Broadway hit, Tony n' Tina's Wedding, that features interviews and memories of the show that created friends that became family world-wide. This podcast is produced by Virtual Arts, and edited by Christy Patti.Virtual Arts is a theatre and event company that connects artists and audiences globally to realize the full potential of online and in person productions by developing authentic works of hope, humor and humanity. We offer assistance, guidance and production value for online community outreach events that raise awareness and support families and artists world-wide.

Website virtualartsproductions.org

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tonyntinaswedding.podcastfacebook.com/VirtualArtsProds

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#offbroadway #podcasts #virtualarts

Hosts Larry, Gret and Concetta welcome Kevin Alexander, an original member of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, who performed in early versions at the American Legion/VFW Halls, describing the show’s largely improvised structure, early rehearsals with little audience, and the need to recruit friends as unpaid catering “Black staff.” Kevin explains how he built Vinny Black from restaurant experience and influences like Andy Kaufman, Jerry Lewis, and Pat Cooper, and recalls bits such as the Cadillac of Caterers, breath-mint sprays, smoked salmon with a cigarette, and recycling leftover champagne. Carolyn Scott also joins to share memories of Kevin’s outrageous Vinny persona, backstage physical comedy at Gus’s Place, and how improvised moments became part of the show.Tony n' Tina's Wedding: Creating a Theatre Tribe is a twice-a-month podcast that follows original NY director and later collaborators of the sensational Off-Broadway hit, Tony n' Tina's Wedding, that features interviews and memories of the show that created friends that became family world-wide. This podcast is produced by Virtual Arts, and edited by Christy Patti.Virtual Arts is a theatre and event company that connects artists and audiences globally to realize the full potential of online and in person productions by developing authentic works of hope, humor and humanity. We offer assistance, guidance and production value for online community outreach events that raise awareness and support families and artists world-wide.Websitevirtualartsproductions.orgFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/tonyntinaswedding.podcastfacebook.com/VirtualArtsProdsInstagraminstagram.com/tonyntinasweddingpodcastinstagram.com/virtual.arts.prods#offbroadway #podcasts #virtualarts