'Mob Wives' Ramona Rizzo and Karen Gravano Officiate MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING, 11/17 and 12/1

Ramona Rizzo and Karen Gravano of the hit VH1 series "Mob Wives" will be publicly make a stand in support of marriage equality on November 17th and December 1st when they officiate the wedding of "Anthony" and "Andrew" in the hit Off-Broadway comedy "My Big Gay Italian Wedding." This will be the ladies' debut on the NYC stage.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding satirizes the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage while drawing on larger-than-life gay and Italian characters. Anthony Pinnunziato, a gay Italian-American from a large chaotic family, wants to marry his boyfriend Andrew Polinski in a traditional Italian ceremony. Anthony's overbearing mother won't give her blessing unless Andrew's estranged mother also gives her blessing and the ceremony is performed by a priest. Matters are further complicated by Andrew's ex-boyfriend, intent on breaking up the couple.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding premiered at the Actor's Playhouse in November 2003. On September 12, 2009, a revised and updated version of the play played a benefit performance at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island, and then moved to St. Luke's Theatre in Manhattan in May 2010 for a sixteen month run.

During the run, the show hosted major celebrities to raise money and awareness for marriage equality and the Trevor Project. That list included all of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey", Lance Bass, Tabatha Coffey, Vincent Pastore, Dr. Joy Browne as well as many other celebrity bloggers and local celebrities. Ramona and Karen are the first to join the new run under Bianco Productions, scheduled to open on November 3rd for a limited engagement.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding will be directed by two-time Emmy award winning Director, Sonia Blangiardo. Sonia received Emmy Awards for her work on "One Life To Live" and "As The World Turns" and is currently a director for "General Hospital." The show will once again contain original music and lyrics from David James Boyd and original choreography from J. Austin Eyer. Scenic and costume design is by Frank Gericitano.

The production features recording artists Kim Sozzi (Singer of the Billboard Chart Topping Hits "Feel Your love", "Kiss Me Back", and "Little Bird") and Judy Torres ("No Reason To Cry", "Come Into My Arms" and "Faithfully") who will rotate the role of "Aunt Toniann." The show also features Anthony J. Wilkinson and Daniel Robinson (Hairspray, Big Gay Musical) as the respective grooms.

The rest of the cast includes Brett Douglas (Maurizio), Donna Castellano (Angela), Joe Scanio (Joseph), Meridith Cullen (Maria), Justin Flexen (Gregorio), Liz Gericitano (Lucia), Meagan Robar (Connie), Tommaso Antico (Mario), Michael Gellert (Frankie), Erik Ransom (Rodney), Chad Kessler (Father Rosalia), Paul Moon, and Leah Gerstel

Performances of My Big Gay Italian Wedding will be at St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Tickets are $69.50, including $1.50 restoration fee, and are available through Telecharge.com or by phone at 212-239-6200.

More Articles by This Author...