The dinner show “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” enjoyed its heyday in a giant tent at the Rio nearly 25 years ago. The production was known to draw 1,000 diners/audience members per show.
The zany, interactive production is coming back to its original home next month. The classic dinner show opens Aug. 13 at The Venue, which is being refurbished for its relaunch.
“Tony n’ Tina’s” return means another longstanding dinner-theater show, “Marriage Can Be Murder,” has closed. Its final performance in its 27-year history was Sunday night.
The Venue itself is now dark for remodeling through Aug. 13.
“Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding” most recently ran at Buca di Beppo at then-Bally’s (today’s Horseshoe) from 2016 to 2018, after a long run at that hotel’s Windows showroom. Vegas entertainer-writer-director Val Witherspoon is the show’s resident director. She and longtime “Tony n’ Tina’s” cast member and casting director Barbara Lauren are overseeing auditions.
“Marriage Can Be Murder” was one of the city’s true surviving productions, opening in the previous millennium.
The production, headed by husband-and-wife team Eric and Jayne Post, opened at the since-imploded Castaways (then the Showboat) in 1999. Among its performance platforms were the off-Strip restaurant The Cracked Egg, the 4 Queens, the D Las Vegas (dating to the days it was Fitzgerald’s), the Orleans, before moving to the Rio this past August.
Producer John Bentham, who owns Ivory Star Productions, said, “Marriage Can Be Murder has entertained hundreds of thousands of guests over the years, and we’re incredibly grateful to the talented cast, crew, and creative team who made every performance a killer night out.”
The Posts’ dinner-comedy whodunit is now a free agent, open for options.
Bentham said The Venue is now being refashioned as two showrooms. The space is to be relaunched with “Tony n’ Tina’s” and the “Faaabulous” drag brunch, which is now dark and due to return mid-August with a new 12 p.m. showtime Saturdays and Sundays.
Bentham says “Tony n’ Tina’s” has been rewritten, with the wedding in the show’s storyline actually performed.
The producer also said he plans to stage up to five productions running in rotation, all with a food component. From a release announcing the venue’s vision:
“The addition of rotating themed experiences allows the venue to remain active beyond performance schedules while giving guests new reasons to return throughout the year. From immersive seasonal pop-ups and specialty drink menus to live music and exclusive events, the entertainment complex is designed to offer a fresh experience with every visit.”
Bentham is due for a busy month as The Venue takes shape.
“We wanted to create more than just a place to see a show,” the producer said. “Our inspiration came from the idea that great entertainment shouldn’t begin when the curtain rises or end with the final bow.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.