Chad Kessler News

Kim Pirrella returns in the supporting lead role of "LUCIA" in "MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING" and "MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL" at St. Luke's Theatre January 25th & 26th, February 15th & 16th

Joe Murena, a singer songwriter from Long Island is honored to be making his first off broadway debut as 'Ezio.' Joe is most commonly known as a finalist from American Idol (Season 4 with Carrie Underwood). He is also known for his performances on Star Search, Good Morning America and Showtime at the Apollo. Joe's theatrical credits include Long Island community theater productions of West Side Story (Arab) and Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Del Delmonico). He has lent his voice to some chart topping singles like 'Always Have Tomorrow' (Serge Devant) and 'You are the Only One' (MYNT Project .) His passion is writing music and his songs are available on iTunes (e.g. Reconcile, Transparent, Truth Is…)

My Big Gay Italian Wedding will host a very special performance on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 when Angela Scotto Carannante takes to the stage to officiate the wedding of 'Anthony Pinnunziato' and 'Andrew Polinski.'

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) today announced that Chad Kessler has been appointed EVP, Chief Merchandising and Design Officer for the American Eagle Outfitters brand, reporting to CEO, Robert Hanson. Chad begins in his new role on February 3, 2014, succeeding Fred Grover, who will stay with the company to ensure a smooth transition through mid-year, at which point he will retire from AEO.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding will host a very special performance on Saturday, January 11th, 2014 when Michael Musto and "Frankie C" take to the stage to officiate the wedding of "Anthony Pinnunziato" and "Andrew Polinski"

My Big Gay Italian Wedding and My Big Gay Italian Funeral, by Anthony J. Wilkinson, will extend its recently posted limited run to March 30th, 2014

My Big Gay Italian Wedding, by Anthony J. Wilkinson, will celebrate the milestone of it's original opening at the Actors Playhouse with a special performance on November 2, 2013.

Kim Pirrella most commonly known as the matriarch of the Marco sisters on the Real Housewives of New Jersey will step into the role of Jersey girl lipstick lesbian diva 'Lucia Fuccio' in both 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding' and 'My Big Gay Italian Funeral' on October 12th and 13th. The role was originated by and is still currently played by Liz Gericitano who is stepping out for her real life wedding.

Tony Award winning Broadway Producer Hugh Hysell returns to his roots as an actor when he joins the cast, assuming the role of the wedding coordinator extraordinaire, 'Maurizio Le Grande' today, August 31st, for twelve weeks in the Off Broadway Comedies, My Big Gay Italian Wedding, and its sequel, My Big Gay Italian Funeral, at the St Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

Tony Award winning Broadway Producer Hugh Hysell returns to his roots as an actor when he joins the cast, assuming the role of the wedding coordinator extraordinaire, 'Maurizio Le Grande' on August 31st for twelve weeks in the Off Broadway Comedies,My Big Gay Italian Wedding, and its sequel, My Big Gay Italian Funeral, at the St Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The role was originated by Brett Douglas who will be stepping out after his final performance on August 25th.

What began as a twelve show revival of My Big Gay Italian Wedding, has now become the Wedding and the Funeral running in rep till the end of the year. My Big Gay Italian Wedding will play every Saturday at 8pm and My Big Gay Italian Funeral will play every Sunday at 7pm till December 29th, 2013. My Big Gay Italian Wedding will also celebrate its ten year anniversary on November 2nd, 2013 with a very special performance.

Three-time Emmy award winner Anthony J. Wilkinson's comedic but heart felt portrayal of the autobiographical story of his real life Father's passing, coincidentally opened on Father's Day evening. Scroll down for photos from the opening!

'My Big Gay Italian Funeral' which began previews June 1st is set to open today, June 16th. After sold out previews filled with standing ovations and great feedback, the show has already picked up momentum and is gearing up for its official opening weekend. 'My Big Gay Italian Funeral' is yet another comedy from Wilkinson and uses some of the same characters from 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding.' The father (Joe Pinnunziato) is now deceased and we introduce some new characters, namely Anthony's gay brother Peter Pinnunziato, who he hasn't spoken to in over a decade. Family drama and crazy characters unite when everything that can possibly happen at an Italian wake certainly will!

'My Big Gay Italian Funeral' which began previews June 1st is set to open this Sunday June 16th. After sold out previews filled with standing ovations and great feedback, the show has already picked up momentum and is gearing up for its official opening weekend. 'My Big Gay Italian Funeral' is yet another comedy from Wilkinson and uses some of the same characters from 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding.' The father (Joe Pinnunziato) is now deceased and we introduce some new characters, namely Anthony's gay brother Peter Pinnunziato, who he hasn't spoken to in over a decade. Family drama and crazy characters unite when everything that can possibly happen at an Italian wake certainly will!

Staten Island native Anthony J. Wilkinson, most well known for brining 'Boys Just Wanna Have Fun' and 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding' to the Off-Broadway stage, is three weeks away from launching his latest endeavor, 'My Big Gay Italian Funeral.' The wedding is still currently running at St. Luke's Theatre and plays every Saturday at 8pm. The funeral will now join the St. Luke's line up and play every Sunday at 7pm after opening.

Two-time Daytime Emmy nominated actress Alicia Minshew best known for portraying Kendall Hart on the daytime drama 'All My Children' from 2002-2011, will take over the role of Aunt Toniann in My Big Gay Italian Wedding for two weeks.

The original thought of 'Big Ang' doing one night in NYC at St. Luke's has quickly been changed since she sold out less than twenty-four hours following her announcement on the Wendy Williams show. After receiving hundreds of tweets and facebook messages from angry fans who could not get tickets, she called her agent and immediately asked for another night in 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding.' She said, 'I fell in love with the cast and crew of this show during rehearsals and I think Broadway could be what I was born to do!'

'Big Ang' makes Off-Broadway debut tonight, March 9th! My Big Gay Italian Wedding, by Anthony J. Wilkinson, will extend its recently posted limited run to April 13.

BRIELLA CALAFIORE makes an Off-Broadway appearance in Anthony J. Wilkinson's 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding' tonight, February 16th at St. Luke's Theatre for One Night Only.