Fred D'Agostina and Kattie Ennes have gotten married numerous times over the years in Tony n' Tina's Wedding. Photo: Detroit Actors Guild.

Tony n' Tina's Wedding celebrates a decade of hilarity

TROY - For years, the traditional gift presented to a couple celebrating 10 years of marriage was a gift made of tin. Tin symbolized the strength and flexibility exhibited by the couple. It certainly takes flexibility and strength to succeed in the entertainment business, and one company that knows that well is Detroit Actors Guild, producer of the popular comedy Tony n' Tina's Wedding.

Detroit Actors Guild is not asking for tin gifts, but is celebrating 10 years of the hilarious show next month. To celebrate, they are mounting the show in multiple cities in the Metro area this season.

Roselie Posselius of Detroit Actors Guild cites broad appeal, great value and a lot of fun as reasons for the show's longevity. In fact, Detroit is one of the longest running productions of the show in the nation. The off-Broadway show is one of the longest continually running shows in history, having been performed in over 100 cities worldwide.

Posselius says, "Regardless of what the Dow says, people want to escape reality for a few hours and have fun. Our show is for every type of person. There are some who jump right in and others who watch - and both have fun."

She continues, "We have always delivered great value, and that is appreciated this year more than ever. Where else can you get dinner, including a champagne toast and wedding cake, dance to a live band and enjoy two hours of comedy for under $70?

Tony n Tina's Wedding is considered the finest example of interactive theater since its opening in New York in 1988. It is a hysterical, interactive experience where the Nunzio and Vitale family members, played by professional actors, bring every patron into the action. After the ceremony, the characters intermingle, hobnob and reveal family secrets to the guests that are not soon forgotten. As the hilarious action ensues, audiences enjoy a traditional Italian wedding dinner, complete with a toast to the bride and groom and then dance to a live band.

In the Detroit area, the show plays in Warren at Andiamo's Celebrity Showroom on Nov. 21, and at the San Marino Club in Troy Dec. 5, 13, 19 and 20.

Andiamo Celebrity Showroom is located on the south side of 14 Mile Rd. between Mound and Van Dyke Rds., 7096 East Fourteen Mile Road, Warren. For tickets for the Andiamo show, call 586-268-3200.

The San Marino Club is located at 1685 E. Big Beaver Road, between Rochester Rd. and John R in Troy. For tickets for the San Marino Club show, call 313-885-3032.

Ticket prices range from $63 to $65 per person and include show ticket, champagne toast, Italian supper, a piece of wedding cake and entertainment.

Doors open at all venues at 7 p.m.; show time is at 7:30 p.m.

Information about the show is available at www.tonytinadetroit.com.

Fun facts about the Detroit show:

• Tony and Tina have been married approximately 429 times.

• Over 220 have played in the cast.
• Ten members of today's cast are among the original cast of ten years ago, including Tony and Tina.
• The show has played to over 100, 000 guests
• People still bring gifts to the couple including adult honeymoon gifts and wacky unexplainable gifts including a bowling trophy, a dozen rolls of toilet paper, a ceramic statue of a matador and canned pork and beans.
• $25,000 has been donated to charities from the dollar dance.
• Celebrities enjoying cameo roles have included media personalities like Dick Purtan and Guy Gordon, sports stars like Gordy Howe, and mayors and political leaders including L. Brooks Patterson.
• Celebrity musicians who have sat in with the band include Alexander Zonjic and members of Three Dog Night.
• There have been special productions including Kosher Night and multiple charity fundraisers.