Tony n' Tina's Wedding
at Herndon High School

Reviewed on November 20, 2021

Charlotte Lobring
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

A wedding day. One of the most important and carefully planned days in a person's life. Everything should go perfectly… unless you're Tony and Tina. This Italian-American couple and their wild families not only put on an entertaining spectacle for the audience to view, but get them directly involved in the party, the food, and the madness. Herndon High School's Tony n' Tina's Wedding is as humorous as it is heartfelt with a talented cast immersed in the world of Queens, New York.


Tony n' Tina's Wedding, created by the Artificial Intelligence comedy troupe, is an "environmental" theatre piece. The audience is involved in the wedding as if they were guests themselves. The mostly improvisational play is centered around the union of Tina Vitale and Tony Nunzio. Their loud and warm families dominate the event, from embarrassing speeches to getting up in the middle of the vows to use the restroom. The audience remains engaged throughout the whole event.


Tony, played by Yali Miranda, embodied the tough but lovable character completely. It was a joy to see Yali's progression from timid during the homily to ripping off Tony's dress shirt to defend Tina in a brawl. Tina, played by Lulu Megahed, was cohesive and convincing as a bratty, yet sweet, bride. Megahed's accent, like the rest of the cast, stayed consistent throughout and Tina's love for the Vitales shone through.


An audience favorite was the pregnant bridesmaid Connie, played by Emma Harris. Harris' interactions with the audience were hilarious, and the witty, improvised comments and animated movements were a joy to watch. Johnny, played by Augustus Wood, dazzled the audience with both amazing dance moves and charm. Wood even flirtatiously gave out "Johnny's" phone number to multiple people in the audience.


There was never a moment where it felt like one performer was competing for the spotlight. Due to this skill, some of the most vibrant and enthusiastic characters got an unforgettable moment in said spotlight. Uncle Luigi, played by Noah Eckert, embodied an old, Italian man perfectly. Seeing Eckert laugh at all the wrong times and dance with a cane was incredible to watch. Father Mark, played by Tommy Maxson, was a proper Catholic priest at the beginning and later turned into a sloppy, drunken mess at the end. Maxson was a master at character development. The beloved Grandma Nunzio, played by Gaby Bradley, was consistent with the character's demanding physicality throughout the whole play, which was a difficult task that Bradley achieved with ease.


Even the waiters, who served a three-course meal of salad, pasta, and wedding cake without ever dropping one plate, were actors too. They all played an integral part in the production, while at the same time developing characters of their own.


To produce this show technically was not an easy task, but Herndon's tech team were geniuses in lighting, sound, and costumes. The lighting was cleverly designed by David Wrigley, Zach Wemyss, and Liam Nowak. During the wedding ceremony, a beautiful pink was displayed in the back, and during the reception, an array of a rainbow and Italian flag colors lit up the scene just right. Wilson Purdue and Caleb Silvernail, who managed the sound, ensured that everyone could be heard, even despite the masks. The costumes, created by Chloe Thompson, Augustus Wood, Lauren Tucker, and Katie Hancock, were both appropriate and immersive in the world of the early 90s.


Tony n' Tina's Wedding at Herndon High School is a demanding production that effortlessly ticks all the boxes with its talented cast, impressive technical skills, and hilarious improvised dialogue.

Justin Pokrant
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

The wedding was everything the newlyweds had dreamed of and more. Friends and family admire the bride as she elegantly struts down the aisle. The ceremonious cutting of an extravagant three-tiered cake is accompanied by a toast. The groom rips off his shirt while attempting a WWE-esque smackdown of his wife's ex on the dance floor… Wait, wedding smackdown? WIFE'S EX??? Yes, you heard that right! In its full Italian glory, "everyone is welcome" to Tony n' Tina's Wedding at Herndon High School, which had guests up and on the dance floor, rolling on the floor laughing, and "fighting the urge to use the Lord's name in vain."

Determined to showcase Italian American stories of growing up (and apparently getting married) in Queens, Nancy Cassaro led The Artificial Theatre Company to New York City. In 1985, they premiered Tony n' Tina's Wedding, which tells the story of two feuding families, the Vitales and the Nunzios, "brought together in holy matrimony." Set in 1991 and complete with a live band and three-course meal, the production (or more fittingly, immersive audience experience) is the epitome of interactive theatre. Vibrant character backstories, one-of-a-kind improvisational vignettes, and live interactions with the onstage audience reveal the hilarity of the tumultuous ordeal, and as the mix of alcohol and Italian blood becomes progressively problematic, the reception hysterically takes a "highway to hell."

Rather than simply watching the chaos unfold, the spirited cast cultivated a welcoming environment where wedding guests (the audience) were invited to join in the festivities - a critical element of the semi-improvised production. From the seamless integration of individual conversations with an overarching narrative to comprehensive technical efforts, the entire cast and crew's passion and commitment to simulating an authentic Italian wedding were evident in a collective display of extraordinary endurance and unity.

Commanding the wedding with her cohesive character and consistent accent, Lulu Megahed convincingly portrayed Tina with a comedic presence. Paired with Tony, charmingly played by Yali Miranda, the couple demonstrated that through thick and thin, "love endures," exemplified in their heartfelt apologies and declarations of love at the end of the reception.

Alongside the bride and groom, several characters emerged as lives of the party. Showcasing explosive enthusiasm during the groomsmen's dance and an infectious charisma after giving their number to a wedding guest, Augustus Wood embodied the groom's little brother, Johnny, with an unparalleled youthful spirit. Similarly, Emma Harris's captivating sarcastic humor and witty jests made Maid-of-Honor Connie a favorite amongst the wedding guests. Proving that anybody can have a good time, Gaby Bradley characterized the boisterous Grandma Nunzio with profound commitment, even maintaining her physicality during curtain call!

Countless technical enhancements brought the venue to life. From managing and incorporating a vast array of props (Cecily Rood, Chloe Thompson, Meena Megahed) to the immaculate execution of sound (Wilson Purdue and Liam Nowak) l), where constant adjustments had to be made in real-time to balance coinciding conversations, the crew's technical precision and clear collaboration with the cast helped immerse the audience in Tony and Tina's whirlwind of a wedding.

Riddled with comedic nuances and an unwavering spirit that kept attendees on the edge of their seats, you never know who may pass you a drink or pull you up to dance. Through the pandemonium of it all, the genuine relationships established within Herndon High School's Tony n' Tina's Wedding remind us that even when you take a tumble on the dance floor or get demoted to Maid of Trash, "it takes a village, and we've got a pretty good one if I do say so myself."

Beverly D'Andrea
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Although Tony and Tina may be madly in love, their Italian relatives from Queens will do their unwitting best to turn the beautiful celebration into a comedic romp complete with head bashing, toast roasting, and tempers flaring. Herndon High School's production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding pointed beyond the farcical beauty of fiery Italians drinking their way through rambunctious celebrations to the close bond of family that keeps them together.

The show is a semi-improvised, honest-to-goodness Italian wedding between Antonio Nunzio and Valentina Vitale. The wedding guests (the audience) watched, and even participated, as the bickering members of the wedding party worked out their differences.

The play was created by Nancy Cassaro as a part of the New York based Artificial Theatre Company. Cassaro wanted a piece of theatre that represented the experiences of her people, the Italians, because she wanted to tell the stories of this interesting group. It premiered off-off Broadway in 1988 and ran for 22 years.

Audience participation was a crucial element to this show and the actors pulled it off beyond what was expected. While scenes played out, actors would mingle with guests, sometimes pulling them up to dance. The commitment to character from everyone at all times made the show feel like a real wedding. Even the waiters, with their well-coordinated serving efforts, were fully in the wedding world.

As the far-from-blushing bride Tina was Lulu Megahed, New York accent and all. Megahed played up all of Tina's bridezilla tendencies with well-timed improvisation and lots of hand talking. Tina wanted all attention on her and Megahed's entertaining performance made this demand no chore. Emma Harris played Tina's Maid of Honor, Connie. Harris's fiery temper and witty one-liners made her a magnetic presence on stage as she quipped with guests with candor and abandon. Harris's understated chemistry with her boyfriend Barry (Jefferson Escobar-Rivera) was sweet as both carved out genuine moments within the well-intentioned chaos. Tony, the groom, was played by Yali Miranda with quiet devotion. Tony's love for Tina brought out his wild side out with Miranda's intense physicality during the fight scene.

Other guests included the sleazy father-of-the- groom Tony Sr., who Andrew Landrum portrayed with an oozing confidence as shown by his perpetual smile and impassioned "romance" with the emotional mother-of-the-bride Josie (Kelly Grover). The groomsman Johnny was danced and flirted into being by Augustus Wood who brought all the debonair charm to the young smooth-talker that the audience could handle. As the drunken mess of a bridesmaid Donna was Hannah Clements. Her hilariously inebriated rendition of "Hopelessly Devoted" added to the zany air of the reception.

Perfectly complementing the mayhem on stage were the carefully orchestrated lights (David Wrigley, Zach Wemyss, Emmy Tublin) which went from playful rainbow to red during the action-packed fighting, to calming blue for romance. With so many actors all improvising at unpredictable times, the sound (Wilson Purdue and Liam Nowak) had to be well timed so everyone could be heard at all times. Never once did the mics pick up any extraneous noise, meaning they were turned off and on in perfect rhythm with the play's current. The costumes (Chloe Thompson, Augustus Wood, Lauren Tucker, Katie Hancock) were hilariously 90s and the pink theme fit the chaotic charm of the show.

"La familia" is messy, it's loud, colorful, and hard but it's also everything. Herndon High School's production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding immersed the audience in the messiest, loudest, and hardest of them all.

Elli Vlattas
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Fairfax/Alexandria)

We are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Tony and Tina and surely nothing will go wrong...or will it? Herndon High School presents Tony n' Tina's Wedding, a riveting improv experience filled with self-centered brides, flirtatious groomsmen and fiery bridesmaids that transports the audience into the drama-filled wedding hall and witnesses how love will always win.

Tony n' Tina's Wedding is an immersive theatre event, where the cast interacts with the audience through scripted and improv elements. It originally debuted in New York in 1985 then moved to off-off Broadway in 1988. This production has been produced several times all around the world, including a film adaptation premiering in 2004.

The production follows Tony and Tina throughout their Italian American wedding ceremony and reception. Along the way, the audience meets the wedding party, members of the family and the owner of this joint! As the night gets later and later and many get drunker and drunker, chaos begins to rise, and someone must find a way to stop it before the marriage ends even as it begins.

Lulu Megahed starred as the lively and egotistical Tina, who is focused on having her wedding be as perfect as possible. Megahed immersed herself in her character by having over-the-top physicality and detailed facial expressions that added comedy throughout the production which quickly shaped her into a bridezilla. Megahed's diction was incredible, especially since she used an authentic New York accent. Yali Miranda transformed into the apprehensive and romantic Tony. His ability to evolve through the show from timid and nervous (during the controlled ceremony) to energetic and combative (during the battles throughout the reception) helped progress the show from marital bliss to conflict. The tremendous connection between Megahed and Miranda added humor throughout the show, especially featured in their vows during their ceremony.

Emma Harris starred as the humorous and dynamic maid of honor, Connie. Harris' magnificent acting range was demonstrated throughout her interactions with the audience that contrasted her exchanges with the other characters. Harris fashioned small remarks throughout the production which added to her comedic and blunt character. Augustus Wood thrived as the flirtatious and intriguing groomsman, Johnny. Wood's fantastic dancing ability, evidenced throughout the several dance numbers, created the vibrant atmosphere of the wedding. The ability to flirt with most of the audience established the character and helped differentiate Johnny from the fellow groomsmen. The ensemble shined throughout the show by performing many different roles from playing in the band to serving an actual three-course meal to the audience. The ambience of the wedding was sparkling and animated.

The technical aspects featured in this show should not go unnoticed. The lighting (designed by David Wrigley, Zach Wemyss, and Emmy Tublin) helped set the scene of the wedding and paralleled the emotions featured throughout the show by shifting colors. The costumes (designed by Chloe Thompson, Augustus Wood, Lauren Tucker and Katie Hancock) were masterfully crafted and transported the audience back to the 1990s. The costumes used pink, large sleeves, and sparkle to incorporate styles of that era.

As the wedding reception begins to wind down, Herndon High School's production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding proved that fights may happen, but love will always come out on top.

Abigail Gaughan
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Submitted for publication to Connection

"Mrs. Josephine Vitale and Mr. Anthony Nunzio, Sr., request the pleasure of your company at Tony n' Tina's Wedding." The playbill's opening words frame the play and tease at the interactive, diegetic nature of many aspects of the show. Herndon High School's Tony n' Tina's Wedding tackled an unconventional, challenging comedy with incredible talent and witty, quick-thinking approaches that were clear in every moment of the play.

In the mid-1980s, Writer Nancy Cassaro, with the aid of a small professional theatre group in New York known as The Artificial Theatre Company, wrote the play Tony n' Tina's Wedding. It became an Off-Broadway hit, running for over ten consecutive years. Notable to these performances were improvised aspects often unique to each show and the interactive experience of the audience, who were utilized as attendees in the wedding ceremony and the reception. These aspects make the play far from easy to perform, but Herndon High School rose to these challenges with skill and gusto.

Every technical aspect of the show took into account the positioning of the audience, stepping away from traditional approaches in order to match the unusual technical situation. The costumes were finely detailed, selected with an understanding that the audience would be only inches away from the characters. The various props, arranged by Cecily Rood, Meena Megahed, and Chole Thompson, had similar loving detail. The cane of Uncle Luigi, a wonderfully odd walking stick with a handle carved and painted to look as if it was the head of a mallard duck, was from actor Noah Eckert's grandfather, adding another touch of authenticity to the performance. Every aspect of these props and costumes remained historically accurate, truly capturing the time and place. Wilson Purdue and Liam Nowak, who were in charge of sound, created a soundscape where the audience could clearly hear every conversation but maintained a grounded atmosphere, balancing the authenticity of listening to a chatting crowd with the stage magic of hearing the soft, whispered exchanges of characters as they explored their own relationships with each other. Coordination of every aspect of the play with the lighting, run by David Wrigley, Zach Wemyss, and Emmy Tublin, was the cherry on top of Herndon High's spectacular technical work for this play.

The actors did an incredible job, with skillful acting that blurred the line between the scripted and the improvised. Augustus Wood played Johnny, the little brother of the groom, with a mischievous charm, snarky sense of humor, and a surprising tenderness that ends up repairing some of the disasters the reception encounters. Emma Harris walked the line between earnest drama and comedy, humor and outrage, as the Maid of Honor, Connie, while also utilizing incredible physical performance to highlight the intricacies of Connie's character. The actors responded to audience interaction with speed and creativity, never freezing up. Their presences complimented each other rather than wrestling for control, which is no small task with the constant simultaneous performances of the play.

Herndon High School's Tony n' Tina's Wedding was a talented show with bountiful details that not only made a beautiful performance, but showed the heart the cast and crew had brought to it.

Kaylee Williams
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

"We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all we love each other!" exclaimed Tina and the Vitale family at the convincing wedding reception on the stage of Herndon high school.

Set in Queens, New York, 1991, and written by The Artificial Theatre Company, Tony n' Tina's Wedding is a unique comedic show that encapsulated the personalities and interactions of two stereotypical Italian families joining into one. The whole cast interacted with the audience throughout the show as if they were welcome guests at the wedding. With a large cast consisting of waiters, band members, wedding guests, a bride, a groom, and more, Herndon High School was able to beautifully perform this scripted and improvised show.

The play revolved around Lulu Megahed as Tina Vitale and Yali Miranda as Tony Nunzio, whose personalities complemented each other. Megahed played an energetic and excited new bride who was not afraid to speak her mind. Also, Megahed never strayed from the strong Queens accent and interacted with the audience throughout the night, making them feel as if they were a part of the family. Miranda, on the other hand, played a more timid and nervous groom. Although Tony began as a nervous wreck, Miranda developed the character throughout the show and became confident enough to stand up for Tina when the ex-boyfriend Michael (played by David Wrigley) tried to win Tina back.

Augustus Wood as Johnny and Emma Harris as Connie had the audience laughing the whole show. Augustus Wood did an incredible job as Tony's flirtatious little brother/groomsman. Wood was so committed to the role that from the beginning of the show to the bows and throughout, Wood never broke character. Whether Wood was showing off some fantastic dance moves or "hitting on" some of the audience members, they were constantly doing a fantastic job of conveying the character of Johnny. Emma Harris portrayed Connie as the sassy, pregnant, maid of honor. Harris did an amazing job interacting with the audience and keeping the energy up throughout the show. When all chaos broke loose after an argument between Connie and Tina, Harris changed from energetic to argumentative and had the whole audience rooting for Connie in the battle of the bridesmaids. Additionally, Father Mark played by Tommy Maxson did a wonderful job unfolding from an orderly and pious priest to a sloppy drunk.

The technical aspects of the show deserve praise as they set the mood for the entire production and completed the wedding environment. Costumes by Chloe Thompson, Augustus Wood, Lauren Tucker, and Katie Hancock were perfect for the 1990s and showed the character's personalities while also being wedding-appropriate. Additionally, the sound crew (Wilson Purdue and Liam Nowak) handled the number of microphones incredibly as the audience could hear every member of the cast the entire show. Song choices such as Karma Chameleon and Fly Me to the Moon (sung by Lainey Bradley) set the mood for each scene. Lastly, the lighting design done by David Wrigley, Zach Wemyss, and Emmy Tublin perfectly fit each scene. For example, during the fight scene, the scrim was red and at one point in the show, it was even the colors of the Italian flag.

Tony n' Tina's wedding was one like none other. The amount of detail in the technical aspects and the actor's ability to improv for hours made the show unforgettable.

Isabella Jackson
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to The Stinger

Save the date! An evening of heart-warming relationships, champagne-infused altercations, and 80s-centric dancing is what you could expect from this wedding! Produced by Herndon High School, Tony n' Tina's Wedding was a two-hour immersive experience that had audiences in a standing ovation by the curtain call.

Created by Artificial Theatre Company in 1988, Tony N' Tina's Wedding is a comedic interactive theatre concept where the audience is a part of the show. The show had a run of over 20 years off-Broadway. Herndon chose to set the show in Queens in June of 1991, creating a period piece that encapsulated the heart of the 90s. The production illustrated two stereotypical Italian families trying to put aside their feud and unite as one. The show had no intermission but kept audiences engaged from the ceremony, through the toasts, and to the bouquet toss. The monumental aspect of the show is that it is largely improvised, creating a different production every performance.

As assumed by the title, this show centers around Tony, played by Yali Miranda, and Tina, played by Lulu Megahed. Megahed characterized a young romantic perfectly as her energetic sense of wonder emitted from her throughout. Even when she wasn't in the spotlight, Megahed could be seen engaging audience members and giving insight on how Tina was feeling - all while keeping a consistent and convincing Queens accent. To juxtapose her was the groom, Miranda. Upon introduction, he was seen to be timid and more reserved than his castmates by having a hushed voice and closed-off physicality. By the end of the show, Miranda was bold and committed to be a husband. Though subtly, Miranda developed his character's physicality and vocals to create a well-fleshed-out character. Miranda and Megahed had excellent chemistry and delightfully executed the highs and lows of newlyweds.

supporting performers were vital to the story. Connie, portrayed by Emma Harris, seemingly became a crowd favorite, as at one point she had the crowd chanting her character's name. Connie was pregnant, which Harris wonderfully incorporated into her character's physicality and comedy. Harris's comedic timing and quick quips were an integral aspect of the show's atmosphere. Another standout performer was Andrew Landrum who portrayed Tony Sr. Landrum's character was the stereotypical in-law who breached the brim of appropriateness. Landrum was often seen dancing/flirting with audience members and saying things like "Hey doll, are you single?", which showed the commitment Landrum had to the character. The connection they had to their characters enhanced the overall experience.

In an improvised show, one might question how the techs can keep up with the sporadic cast. The techs impressively and seamlessly managed this show. The sound team, Wilson Purdue and Liam Nowak expertly juggled the task of having many people with mics without having chaotic sound. Performers could always be heard, which is commendable in a show with a large cast. Likewise, the accuracy and details of the costumes by Chloe Thompson, Augustus Wood, Lauren Tucker, and Katie Hancock were impressive. Not only were they period-accurate, but they all coordinated beautifully.

As said in the closing lines of the show, "We are famiglia", is a great way to describe the experience of this show. The skilled cast of Tony N' Tina's Wedding created an unforgettable production that left everyone feeling as though they, too, were family.

Spoorthi Nadkarni
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to The Stinger

When asked to think of a "wedding," most people expect a peaceful ceremony and a fun, memorable reception. Herndon High School's hilarious production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding was anything but predictable. From shirt-ripping and dance floor brawls to hitting people with chairs, lap dances, impromptu performances of Grease, almost everyone making out with each other and getting drunk, and so much more, this was something to remember. With much of the show being improvised and a real three-course meal being served, this production truly engaged the audience and immersed them as guests to an iconic Italian American wedding.

Tony n' Tina's Wedding, conceived by Nancy Cassaro, is an environmental theatre event that follows an Italian-American wedding between Tony Nunzio and Tina Vitale in Queens, New York on June 1st, 1991. The audience are incorporated into the mostly improvised production, except for a few scripted parts. It was first performed by the Artificial Intelligence comedy troupe on November 11th, 1985, in Greenwich Village, NY.

The whole cast stayed in character the whole time and displayed a deep level of connection together, revealing masterful improvisational skills. They all listened to each other and shone individually, but knew when to hold back and let others shine. The actors embodied their set stereotypes perfectly and maintained realistic Italian accents and a high level of energy throughout the show. There was never a dull moment as everyone was doing something and did not falter in moments when the audience interrupted. The cast also displayed a smooth and not overdone progression from sober to drunk throughout the show. This production was assistant-directed by Meena Megahed, who encouraged and actively reinforced the importance of relationships and bonding between the cast.

Lulu Megahed (Tina) gave off bridal glamour and comedy gold through a diverse array of mannerisms and interesting conversations. Megahed's choices complimented the tactics of Emma Harris, who brought so much vitality to the show with her bold interactions and never-ending sass while playing maid-of-honor Connie. Augustus Wood, who played groomsman Johnny, radiated pure charisma and humor, from expressive physicality to occasional flirting with the audience and charming delivery. Yali Miranda (Tony) slowly overcame his shyness and became much more daring and rambunctious as the show progressed.

Lainey Bradley, who played Debbie Dulce, both dazzled the audience with her beautiful vocals and helped keep the pace of the story. Noah Eckert fully embraced the stereotype of an Italian uncle with his humorous quips and sass while playing Uncle Luigi. Gaby Bradley utilized incredibly realistic physicality to play Grandma Nunzio like falling on the floor, stiff dance moves, and constant hunching. Andrew Landrum (Tony Sr.) added a promiscuous playfulness with flamboyant mannerisms and suggestive one-liners.

With a dynamic and unpredictable show like this one, collaboration between the actors and tech crew is key to making sure everything goes smoothly. The live sound mixing (Wilson Purdue, Liam Nowak) ensured that the people who needed to be heard were audible while the others were not and the lighting, done by David Wrigley, Zach Wemyss, and Emmy Tublin, utilized spotlights to highlight the main people speaking and the cyclorama colors matched the emotion of the scene and the section of the wedding.

Love is complicated and weird. Marriage is also complicated and weird, like the events that transpired in Herndon High School's eccentric rendition of Tony n' Tina's Wedding. But love and marriage also bring joy and happiness, which is what the cast and crew brought to the audience.