Dinner theatre to make ‘highly anticipated’ return at Machine Shop

For the first time in three years, dinner theatre will be returning to Sault Ste. Marie.

Algoma Repertory Theatre (ART) is gearing up for its production of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding this month after it was postponed in 2020 due to COVID.

Running from Mar. 30 through Apr. 1, the night will be an immersive, interactive, and improvisational experience as the audience plays guests at a mock wedding ceremony and reception at the Machine Shop.

Co-directors Marc Beaudette and Kara Colynuck say the wedding takes place in Sault Ste. Marie in 1985, and they’ll be encouraging guests to come dressed in period garb.

“Unlike traditional theatre, the evening unfolds as if the audience members are guests at an Italian wedding,” Beaudette says. “You show up at the Machine Shop and find where your table is; then we move you to the area where the wedding ceremony will take place.”

“Then, we move back into the venue to begin the reception with the traditional introduction of the wedding party, as well as the first dance. Dinner is served as the show is taking place. All the people in the wedding interact with the guests as it’s going on.”

Beaudette also said every show would be different for every guest. 

“Some people might hear a couple of the characters having an interaction that not everybody else hears. Little things will be going on all around the room that you kind of just take in, as if you’re eavesdropping on other people’s evenings," he adds. 

A stage will also be set up for the Wyld Stallyns, who will perform periodically throughout the event.

The audience members will be encouraged to dance just like at a real wedding, and they will be served with a five-course meal in a gorgeous venue, Beaudette adds. 

“The Machine Shop allows us to do the ceremony and reception without having to move people too far.”

Despite the COVID delays, Beaudette says the wait to bring everyone together again will be well worth it.

“It’s such a different atmosphere when you get a group of people together, not only to see a performance but also to break bread,” he says. “To get back to that sense of community and to be able to be in a room with 200 other human beings at the same time is something all of us have been missing for a number of years, and it’s really great to get back to it.”

Featuring 24 cast members, the performers have been meeting once a week for practices since January.

“Now that it’s March, they’ll be rehearsing three or four times a week at Elite Dance Force Studio to get everything ready,” Beaudette says. “They’re working on choreography for all their dance numbers.”

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding is sold out for its Friday and Saturday shows, and there are just a few tickets remaining for the Thursday show.

The co-directors are open to adding a Wednesday show on March 29 if there’s enough interest. 

Interested theatregoers are asked to contact Beaudette if they’d like to see a Wednesday show added. He can be reached by email atalgomarepertorytheatre@gmail.com or by calling at 705-943-9519.

Tickets can be purchased here.