MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING Celebrates 100 Performances 11/18

On Thursday, November 18th, the outrageous off-Broadway comedy My Big Gay Italian Wedding now playing at St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street) celebrates its 100th performance. To mark the occasion, the November 18th performance will feature daytime drama diva Ilene Kristen ("On Life to Live," "Ryan's Hope") and the reigning Miss New York Claire Buffie as well other surprise guest stars.**

Also on November 18th performance, the company of My Big Gay Italian Wedding welcomes David Moretti, star of the here! TV original series "The Lair", as he assumes the role of 'Andrew,' the latest leading man to walk down the big, gay, Italian aisle.

Immediately following the November 18th performance, the audience is invited to celebrate with Kristen, Buffie, Moretti and the cast of My Big Gay Italian Wedding at a reception at St. Luke's Theatre celebrating the 100th performance.

"One hundred performances! Who'd have thought it?" says Anthony Wilkinson who wrote My Big Gay Italian Wedding and co-stars in the production. "In a time when same-sex marriage, "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and gay bullying continue to dominate the headlines, our show brings together all kind of audiences with a message that speaks to everyone: It's not who you love, but how you love that makes a family."

Due to a last minute schedule change, Austin Peck, will not appear at the 11/18 performance of MBGIW as previously announced. In the weeks to come, a new guest appearance date for Peck will be announced. Ilene Kristen is a new addition to our list of guest stars since the previous announcement.

Planning a wedding can be hell... or a hell of a lot of fun! At My Big Gay Italian Wedding, Off-Broadway's hilarious new comedy by Anthony Wilkinson, two handsome grooms, one overbearing Italian mother, a jealous ex-boyfriend, the wedding planner from Hell, and an assortment of kooky family and friends all gather together for an evening with lots of laughs and lots of heart.

Presented by Sonia Blangiardo, Dina Manzo (of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey") in association with Anndee Productions, Donna Dicrescento, Eileen Caruso and Frank Levinson, My Big Gay Italian Wedding currently features David Moretti (star of here! TV's "The Lair"), Anthony J. Wilkinson,Anthony J. Wilkinson, Gregg Baker, Eric Carpenter, Brett Douglas, Liz Gerecitano, Leah Gerstel, Randi Kaplan, Chad Kessler, Kevin McIntyre, Carla-marie Mercun, Marissa Perry, Meagan Robar, Joe Scanio, Billy Yoder and Adam Zelasko. Directed by Teresa A. Cicala, the production features choreography by J. Austin Eyer, original music and lyrics by David James Boyd, scenic design by Rob Santeramo, costume design by Philip Heckman and lighting design by Graham Kindred.

When the original production of My Big Gay Italian Wedding premiered in 2003, the idea of gay marriage was a fantasy. In 2010, the International debate on Gay Marriage reaches new heights: Gay Marriage is now legal in eight and a half countries (Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and parts of Mexico) and six states in the US (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and District of Columbia). So playwright Anthony Wilkinson has gone back to the typewriter and brought his acclaimed comedy into this new era of hope and optimism for same sex marriage.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding plays Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8PM at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street. By subway, take the A/C/E to 42nd Street. Tickets are $69.50, including $1.50 restoration fee, and are available at Telecharge.com, (212) 239-6200.

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