REVIEW: You are Cordially Invited to Attend NKU SOTA’s ‘At The Wedding’

October 27, 2025

At the Wedding...has a strong lead and supporting cast.

Weddings.

The subject can make a person cry in joy. Or get really smarmy because they are seeing their ex marry someone other than themselves.

This situation is the starting point for NKU School of the Arts’ production of Bryna Turner’s At the Wedding.

In this 75-minute play, Carlo (Liv Gudmundsson) is a guest at the wedding of her ex-girlfriend Eva (Emma Kollstedt). In a series of two-person scenes, Carlo interacts with friends now-distant Carly (Ella Tillery) and Maria (Remelia Athena Shurtleff), as well as new acquaintances Eli (Ethan Harris), Leigh (Marisa Carlson), and the bartender Victor (Elijah Medsker).

*Members of the cast of **At the Wedding**, running now through Nov. 2 at NKU SOTA.*

Great Performances

This piece displays some fine acting on the part of Gudmundsson, who has the unenviable task of being on stage in every scene for the entire run of the show. She pulls it off quite well and balances the sarcasm of her character with a subtle charm brought about by her wounded idealism (on some level, she thinks it might be possible to get back together with Eva). I love her scenes with both Eli and Leigh, since the wisdom of Turner’s point of view gets espoused by Carlo.

There are also some standouts in the ensemble, including the nimble dancing of Ethan Harris. He does some pretty sick dance moves during the 30-minute pre show party celebration that are amazing to watch. I also like his innocent charm in his portrayal of Eli. It contrasts nicely to Carlo’s cynicism.

Also compelling is Marisa Carlson as Leigh. She perfectly captures her character’s world-weary nature, who is always searching for the next sexual conquest. The scenes between Carlson and Gudmundsson are the highlight of the play, since it mixes sexual tension with curiosity about the other.

Finally, Elijah Medsker as Victor the bartender offers up some great comedic relief to lower the temperature in the room as Carlo processes her thoughts and feelings about Eva’s marriage.

*Liv Gudmundsson in Bryna Turner’s **At the Wedding**, running now through Nov. 2 at NKU SOTA.*

Strong Design

This story is set within a conference/wedding center. Kudos for Scenic Designer Anna Schwartz to create a set which echoes the bland conformity of middle-class American life which Carlo is very much against. The space works well and really sets the mood of the piece.

Direction

Despite all of the positives about the production, I was not very moved by the play. It is slow going, with nothing but two-people scenes which does not always advance the action as much as I would like. By the end of the play, Carlo does have a lightening of her mood, but nothing really changes for her.

This play was written for a jaded, cynical New York audience (it premiered off-Broadway in 2022). NKU Director Nicole Perrone appears to pull back from some of that energy that is needed to make this show work. She toned down the New York edge for a midwestern audience. While there are fun scenes and laughs, the message (trying to find meaning when second chances are impossible) got a bit lost in the shuffle for me. However, Perrone creates some great energy within the 30-minute pre show. This features a selfie station, sparkling grape juice for the audience, and impromptu dance numbers where the audience can join in. But, there is a disconnect between the fun and engagement of the pre-show, and the show itself.

Overall

Overall, At the Wedding has a strong lead and supporting cast. Those who want to see the next generation of theatre artists who will grace the Greater Cincinnati stages need to see this play.