Colorful costumes and outdated hairstyles come together to create comedy magic in the onstage production of “The Wedding Singer”, whose nationwide tour comes to Athens tonight.

Artistic Producer for the show, M. Seth Reines, is looking forward to the tour’s stop in his hometown. Reines attended both Athens High School and the University of Georgia, where he got his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and his Master of Fine Arts in Film and Stage Direction.

“I have only the fondest memories of my time at UGA,” Reines said. “It’s always so neat to see what’s changed in the university and what’s grown.”

Inspired by the movie starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, “The Wedding Singer” tells the story of a rocker named Robbie Hart who finds himself left at the altar. 

Cynical about love, he plots destruction for the weddings of other happy couples, until he meets the girl of his dreams, a waitress, who’s already engaged. In his quest to win her over before the wedding day, hilarity ensues.

Alumnus M. Seth Reines is the artistic director of “The Wedding Singer,” playing tonight.

When “The Wedding Singer” began its tour in October 2009, Reines had already been planning, casting, and coordinating for months in the pursuit of an aesthetic that would engage and enchant audiences. 

That aesthetic turned out to be a true revival of everything ‘80s: music, dance, and wardrobe.

“Our choreographer went back and watched some of the ‘80s videos,” Reines said.  “We wanted them to be more like the ‘80s than the original Broadway show, taking inspiration from Michael Jackson and ‘Thriller’.”

Despite the show’s heavy connection to this era of shiny prom dresses and synthetic pop, Reines believes you don’t have to be a child of the ‘80s to benefit from the show.

“You don’t have to have grown up in the 80s to enjoy the show,” he said.  “Our best audiences are really the ones in college towns because you get a good mix of the older people who lived through the ‘80s and the younger people who think it’s retro.”

Reines said that behind the show’s comical storyline, there’s a message that appeals to every audience member.

“You need to follow your dreams and know that somewhere out there is the right person for everyone,” he said.

The show consists of a 40-person company traveling with two buses and two semitrailers full of authentic Broadway set equipment and more than 200 costumes. The cast of the show boasts only 24 performers, specifically selected for the parts. 

The two leads, J. Michael Zygo and Jillian Zygo, are a husband and wife team, which Reines believes adds extra chemistry onstage.

“It’s great because you don’t have to try to go in and create those relationships, they already exist,” he said.

Reines encourages audiences to get involved with the show and the cast, as it makes the experience even more rewarding.

However, he has no apprehensions about the fun an Athens audience will bring.

“If you see a movie, you as an audience member have no effect on the performance,” he said. “But in theater, the audience affects the pacing and the rhythm of the show. Our cast can tell really quickly what kind of audience it’s going to be. The cast is so excited about coming to Athens, though, because it is such a great music town.”

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Classic Center

Price: $10-$65