Reality TV fans, rejoice! Mob Wives star Angela “Big Ang” Raiola has added a second performance to her engagement at off-Broadway’s My Big Gay Italian Wedding. Raiola, who was originally scheduled to perform for one night only on March 9, will now also appear in the April 6th performance of the comedy. Raiola will both officiate the wedding of Andrew and Anthony and play outspoken caterer Anizetta Azzupetta. Written by Anthony J. Wilkinson and directed by Sonia Blangiardo, My Big Gay Italian Wedding is set to play a limited engagement through April 13 at St. Luke’s Theatre.
“I am a huge supporter of the gay community and to perform a gay wedding will be easy for me,” Raiola previously said in a statement. “I’ve always wanted to be on Broadway, so move over, Patti LuPone!” Big Ang, are you challenging LuPone to a sing-off?
Raiola is the star of both Mob Wives and her spin-off series, Big Ang. She is the owner of the bar Drunken Monkey in Staten Island, New York. Her late uncle, Salvatore “Sally Dogs” Lombardi was the head of the Genovese crime family.
My Big Gay Italian Wedding premiered at the Actor’s Playhouse in 2003. A revised version of the show moved to St. Luke’s Theatre in 2010. Recent guest appearances have included Mob Wives cast members Ramona Rizzo and Karen Gravano. The comedy is a send-up of the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage while drawing on larger-than-life gay, Italian characters.
The cast of My Big Gay Italian Wedding includes Wilkinson as Anthony, Daniel Robinson as Andrew, Brett Douglas as Maurizio, Donna Castellano as Angela, Joe Scanio as Joseph, Meridith Cullen as Maria, Justin Flexen as Gregorio, Liz Gerecitano as Lucia, Meagan Robar as Connie, Drew Little as Mario, Michael Gellert as Frankie, Erik Ronsom as Rodney and Chad Kessler as Father Rosalia. Paul Moon and Leah Gerstel serve as ensemble members.
Think Big Ang has what it takes to be a great actress? Check her out humorously re-enacting a scene from Thelma and Louise with Wendy Williams below!