STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Ten years ago, "My Big Gay Italian Wedding," a production by playwright/actor Anthony J. Wilkinson that satirizes the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage while drawing on larger-than-life gay and Italian characters, was signed for a six-week run at the Actors' Playhouse in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. Six months became a year, then the show moved uptown to Theatre Four.
Then after another six months there, the show closed and began revamping for what would soon become the Off-Broadway equity production that continues to run at St. Luke's Theatre and has played in more than 20 major cities worldwide.
Having seen over 100 actors and multiple celebrities over the past decade, the show will celebrate on Nov. 2 with a special performance, followed by a video presentation at the theater and press party to follow.
Presented by Bianco Productions, the show continues to star Wilkinson, its creator, a Staten Islander who's no stranger to this column and who originated the role of Anthony Pinnunziato back in November 2003. The show is directed by two-time Emmy Award-winning director Sonia Blangiardo, who received Emmys for her work on TV soap operas "One Life to Live" and "As the World Turns."
"Wedding" continues to run every Saturday at 8 p.m. and runs in repertory with Wilkinson's newest sequel, "My Big Gay Italian Funeral," Sundays at 7 p.m. Both shows are general-managed by 22Q Entertainment.
Besides Wilkinson, the cast of "Wedding" includes Hugh Hysell as Maurizio, Donna Castellano as Angela, Marissa Perry as Maria, Debra Toscano as Toniann, Liz Gerecitano as Lucia, Meagan Robar as Connie, Erik Ransom as Rodney, Chad Kessler as Father Rosalia, Brandon Goins as Andrew, Joe Scanio as Joseph, Drew Little as Mario, Nick Varrichio as Frankie and Paul Moon as Gregorio, with ensemble members Jody Lyn Flynn, Marie Fontaine and Jonathan Wiener.
St. Luke's Theatre is located at 308 W. 46th Street (between Eighth and Ninth avenues). For tickets, call 212- 239-6200 or consult Telecharge.com.
EMILY'S BOUTIQUE
Fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo, who specializes in evening wear and cocktail dresses for a line of the same name, showcased his spectacular trunk show at Emily's Boutique, Dongan Hills.
And in addition to the trunk show, Emily's featured four of Rosemary Paone's designs that included her peplum corset constructed from twigs. Rosemary also displayed a wool coat, a silk dress and the leopard gown that took second place in the SIEDC's Fashion Island.
A sophomore in the Presidential Scholars Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, Rosemary will spend next semester studying in Florence, followed by a year-long FIT program in Milan, Italy.
The astute student was honored to be part of the Zagat-rated Emily's Fashion Night Out and thrilled to meet Carmen Marc Valvo, whose sage advice to her was "work hard."
It appears as though Rosemary is no stranger to hard work, inasmuch as she maintains a 3.8 average and has designed and constructed more than 40 garments and accessories in the last year alone.
What's more, she's thrilled to be able to turn her passion into a career and is thankful for the support of her parents, Susan Anderson Paone and James Paone, as well as her great-grandmother Sue Margarella, the one who taught her how to sew.
'DOWNTON ABBEY'
"A Day at Downton Abbey" is the theme for this year's Luncheon and Tea to be given by the Richmond Ever-Green Garden Club, a member of First District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State Inc., on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Persimmon Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, where the guest speaker is William Schroh Jr., director of museum operations, Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University, Union, N.J.
The tea will feature table settings designed by club members. Tickets are $55 per person. The cost for children (12 and younger) is $30. For reservations, call Carol Berardi at 718-448-1398.
"Classic Accents" a boutique featuring beaded handmade shawls, scarves, beautiful tapestry carpetbags, handbags and designer-like jewelry will be on offer. Nicki DiGrazia Wolfersberger & Anna Gargano, Richmond Ever-Green members, are chairing the event.
DOGS FOR VICTORY
World of Women will host its Second Annual Dogs For Victory Charity Dog walk for Domestic Violence and Pet Abuse awareness on Saturday at Pouch Camp, 1465 Manor Rd., Sea View.
Registration is 10 a.m., with the walk to begin at 11 a.m. Admission is $20 for one walker and one dog with a $5 donation for each additional walker and/or dog. All participants will receive a complimentary doggie bag and pets will receive a personalized certificate of participation.
The event will include a variety of vendors, raffles, giveaways, pet adoption, dog training tips by Barkbusters, deejay music by 360 entertainment and a Red Carpet walk hosted by Bette Midler tribute artist Donna Maxon. Pets are encouraged to dress in costume, as a photographer will be on hand and prizes will be awarded.
The event is sponsored by Angiuli & Gentile, US Mortgage, Radiant Estates Realty, Artistic Balloons, 360 Entertainment, Drs. Nasso, Olsen & Napolitano & STK Electric.
Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are still available. For more information, kindly contact WOW at wowsi95@aol.com or 718-948-8175 or check the website at www.worldofwomen.org.
50TH ANNIVERSARY
St. Charles School, Oakwood is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Nov. 2 from 8 to 11 p.m. with a reunion for alums, their spouses and their parents.
For further information e-mail srjeanine@hotmail.com.
CELEBRATIONS
Happy birthday to Traci Cangiano, president of the Staten Island Board of Realtors, and Jan Somma-Hammel, Gregory Neal, Ed Cardona and Gregory Swanson.
Happy wedding anniversary to Hilarie and Paul Felsher.
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