Darlyne Franklin Productions

Ma Familia!
The Mafia Factory's Joey & Maria's Comedy Wedding
(out of ) Mark S.P. Turvin
PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT CALL MY PHONE NUMBER ABOVE, AS I AM A THEATRE CRITIC, NOT A BOX OFFICE!
There have been many types of Dinner Theatre in the Valley of the Sun over the past ten years. Few have lasted. Needed for their success are an interesting show, the right amount of audience involvement, a pleasant atmosphere, and good food. Last season, the touring company of Tony and Tina's Wedding blew through ASU and the Gammage Valley Broadway Series, giving audiences a taste of the current trend of shows. Upstart company Darlyne Franklin Productions and the new restaurant The Mafia Factory have joined forces to present the Boston smash hit, Joey & Maria's Comedy Wedding.
The opinions at the table we were seated at were unanimous. From the extroverts to the introverts, everyone was pleased with the production. Even those who seemed ill-at-ease at first about such direct involvement were happy that they were brought into the proceedings up to their level of comfort. Some people simply danced and sang, some talked with the actors, and some became characters themselves, and the company seemed able to figure which audience members were which.